Are Americans really an different to us?
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:13 am
#61
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,532
From: Google Town
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
And when you have been 'improved' and turned into an american - a 'have a nice day ' brainwashed walmart associate clone, you can send a telegram to the white house thanking them for your cultural re-alignment and how much more of a nicer person you feel now
I bought some Walmart shares today in order to benefit from their exploitation so I shouldn't complain
I bought some Walmart shares today in order to benefit from their exploitation so I shouldn't complain
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:14 am
#62
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
And when you have been 'improved' and turned into an american - a 'have a nice day ' brainwashed walmart associate clone, you can send a telegram to the white house thanking them for your cultural re-alignment and how much more of a nicer person you feel now
I bought some Walmart shares today in order to benefit from their exploitation so I shouldn't complain
I bought some Walmart shares today in order to benefit from their exploitation so I shouldn't complain
This is yet another example.
N1cky: he's not taking the piss, that's why it's not funny in the least. I mean, it makes one laugh, but that isn't the same.
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:14 am
#63
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,333
From: the dry part of Washington State
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:16 am
#64
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,333
From: the dry part of Washington State
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
The reason I can not respond to you with specific complaints about what you actually post is because it is such reactionary crap that clearly misses the point *every time* and I can only conclude that you're as socially inept as you appear.
This is yet another example.
N1cky: he's not taking the piss, that's why it's not funny in the least. I mean, it makes one laugh, but that isn't the same.
This is yet another example.
N1cky: he's not taking the piss, that's why it's not funny in the least. I mean, it makes one laugh, but that isn't the same.
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:21 am
#65
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,333
From: the dry part of Washington State
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
Anyway this is a site for British expats to swap experiences. Why should we be policed and slapped down my americans or 'gone natives' who roam this site when we want to say the tiniest thing uncomplimentary about the americans ?
Can't we have some privacy ?
Can't we have some privacy ?
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:21 am
#66
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,059
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
When I saw that this thread had suddenly jumped to 5 pages, I bet myself 10 bucks that exvj had turned up. I won the bet! Keep it up mate, I'll be a rich man by the end of the night!
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:25 am
#67
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,532
From: Google Town
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
Dale Carnegie said, 'We can not afford to offend even one member of our audience' (I ignore him when it pleases me).
What I'm saying is, you're the fish out of water when you get here, the guest, the newcomer. It's good social order for you to be the one who watches for social cues.
Ex: you think Americans are loud, enthusiastic and in-your-face. If an American goes out of his culture and amplifies that behavior abroad without respect to what others are doing, he is going to stand out and perhaps be perceived negatively. He thinks he's just 'being himself'.
I find it a lot more interesting to watch people and keep the 'When in Rome' adage in mind.
What went wrong in your example is, (let's pretend I was your colleague).. I don't know you have a child, I don't know that you are not a painter, even a sucky painter. I just gave you a compliment (I like your painting) and you negate my comment, my taste and my friendly overture by your 'joke'.
The appropriate reply (especially in a work situation) is to thank the person and brag up your kid.
IN MY OPINION.
I don't think it's a warped sense of humor, it's a method of making fun of the other person. But that's for the psychologists. Hopefully Leslie will be back soon to explain it better.
What I'm saying is, you're the fish out of water when you get here, the guest, the newcomer. It's good social order for you to be the one who watches for social cues.
Ex: you think Americans are loud, enthusiastic and in-your-face. If an American goes out of his culture and amplifies that behavior abroad without respect to what others are doing, he is going to stand out and perhaps be perceived negatively. He thinks he's just 'being himself'.
I find it a lot more interesting to watch people and keep the 'When in Rome' adage in mind.
What went wrong in your example is, (let's pretend I was your colleague).. I don't know you have a child, I don't know that you are not a painter, even a sucky painter. I just gave you a compliment (I like your painting) and you negate my comment, my taste and my friendly overture by your 'joke'.
The appropriate reply (especially in a work situation) is to thank the person and brag up your kid.
IN MY OPINION.
I don't think it's a warped sense of humor, it's a method of making fun of the other person. But that's for the psychologists. Hopefully Leslie will be back soon to explain it better.
and I can't and don't want to change. Im not hurting anyone, its just a throw away comment, being from Yorkshire and not the US, I don't brag things up, 'cos thats not the way its done, we make a joke out of things.
I would love to 'fit in' but honestly don't know what the Americans I know find funny, and aren't prepared to change to fit that hole anyway.
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:29 am
#69
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,333
From: the dry part of Washington State
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
Hold tight to the money Bill - just seen a fence section down so I had better get to Homedepot and buy some brackets or I will be deafened by the 'round the barbecue talk' from next door..
'My daughter is an alumni'
'Really, I thought that was a light bulb'
'No, she has lost ever so much weight'
etc etc
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:31 am
#70
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79,866
From: Homeostasis
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
I am not a psychologist but I play one on BE.
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:33 am
#71
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 79,866
From: Homeostasis
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
Dale Carnegie said, 'We can not afford to offend even one member of our audience' (I ignore him when it pleases me).
What I'm saying is, you're the fish out of water when you get here, the guest, the newcomer. It's good social order for you to be the one who watches for social cues.
Ex: you think Americans are loud, enthusiastic and in-your-face. If an American goes out of his culture and amplifies that behavior abroad without respect to what others are doing, he is going to stand out and perhaps be perceived negatively. He thinks he's just 'being himself'.
I find it a lot more interesting to watch people and keep the 'When in Rome' adage in mind.
What went wrong in your example is, (let's pretend I was your colleague).. I don't know you have a child, I don't know that you are not a painter, even a sucky painter. I just gave you a compliment (I like your painting) and you negate my comment, my taste and my friendly overture by your 'joke'.
The appropriate reply (especially in a work situation) is to thank the person and brag up your kid.
IN MY OPINION.
I don't think it's a warped sense of humor, it's a method of making fun of the other person. But that's for the psychologists. Hopefully Leslie will be back soon to explain it better.
What I'm saying is, you're the fish out of water when you get here, the guest, the newcomer. It's good social order for you to be the one who watches for social cues.
Ex: you think Americans are loud, enthusiastic and in-your-face. If an American goes out of his culture and amplifies that behavior abroad without respect to what others are doing, he is going to stand out and perhaps be perceived negatively. He thinks he's just 'being himself'.
I find it a lot more interesting to watch people and keep the 'When in Rome' adage in mind.
What went wrong in your example is, (let's pretend I was your colleague).. I don't know you have a child, I don't know that you are not a painter, even a sucky painter. I just gave you a compliment (I like your painting) and you negate my comment, my taste and my friendly overture by your 'joke'.
The appropriate reply (especially in a work situation) is to thank the person and brag up your kid.
IN MY OPINION.
I don't think it's a warped sense of humor, it's a method of making fun of the other person. But that's for the psychologists. Hopefully Leslie will be back soon to explain it better.
Apr 9th 2009 | 9:38 am
#75
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 14,858
From: Mother Land.
Re: Are Americans really an different to us?
Coming up 7 years over here, you'll no doubt make friends but I have to say that I gave up trying to look for or make close friendships.
