Disillusioned
Jul 20th 2010, 7:20 pm
#166
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Indiana, USA
Posts: 381
Re: Disillusioned
I can imagine it being annoying if you are working with the public and get asked it 50 times a day - but surely there is great potential for some classic wind-ups to brighten up the day.
I soon got a bit sick of people asking me about the Beatles. Saying I didn't really like them would break their hearts. Now my Dad's best friend saw them in the 60's in London in a small pub. He managed to get Ringo Starr's snare drum and uses it as a coffee table in his front room. It is signed by all the band (and Mick Jagger who was also at the gig - the Rolling Stones were supporting). Or whatever - they lap it all up! It makes their day to think they've just talked to someone who 'knows the Beatles'.
I bet any single guys out there sure as hell make certain their accent is heard in certain situations. Don't you? 'Geee - I just lurve your accent honey' - there's your starter for 10...
*** Back to the original post on this thread. My theory is that the grass is always greener. We always want what we haven't got. A lot of people in the UK would love the chance to live in the USA - whilst a lot of us who actually do - want to go back to the UK! You go back to the UK - in a years time you wish you were living back in the USA!
Whatever happens - hope it works out for you. Go with your gut reaction. Life is too short to be constantly unhappy.
Jul 20th 2010, 7:27 pm
#167
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,010
Re: Disillusioned
Well exactly. It's just part of living in the USA. Especially if you are living away from the tourist traps.
I can imagine it being annoying if you are working with the public and get asked it 50 times a day - but surely there is great potential for some classic wind-ups to brighten up the day.
I soon got a bit sick of people asking me about the Beatles. Saying I didn't really like them would break their hearts. Now my Dad's best friend saw them in the 60's in London in a small pub. He managed to get Ringo Starr's snare drum and uses it as a coffee table in his front room. It is signed by all the band (and Mick Jagger who was also at the gig - the Rolling Stones were supporting). Or whatever - they lap it all up! It makes their day to think they've just talked to someone who 'knows the Beatles'.
I bet any single guys out there sure as hell make certain their accent is heard in certain situations. Don't you? 'Geee - I just lurve your accent honey' - there's your starter for 10...
*** Back to the original post on this thread. My theory is that the grass is always greener. We always want what we haven't got. A lot of people in the UK would love the chance to live in the USA - whilst a lot of us who actually do - want to go back to the UK! You go back to the UK - in a years time you wish you were living back in the USA!
Whatever happens - hope it works out for you. Go with your gut reaction. Life is too short to be constantly unhappy.
I can imagine it being annoying if you are working with the public and get asked it 50 times a day - but surely there is great potential for some classic wind-ups to brighten up the day.
I soon got a bit sick of people asking me about the Beatles. Saying I didn't really like them would break their hearts. Now my Dad's best friend saw them in the 60's in London in a small pub. He managed to get Ringo Starr's snare drum and uses it as a coffee table in his front room. It is signed by all the band (and Mick Jagger who was also at the gig - the Rolling Stones were supporting). Or whatever - they lap it all up! It makes their day to think they've just talked to someone who 'knows the Beatles'.
I bet any single guys out there sure as hell make certain their accent is heard in certain situations. Don't you? 'Geee - I just lurve your accent honey' - there's your starter for 10...
*** Back to the original post on this thread. My theory is that the grass is always greener. We always want what we haven't got. A lot of people in the UK would love the chance to live in the USA - whilst a lot of us who actually do - want to go back to the UK! You go back to the UK - in a years time you wish you were living back in the USA!
Whatever happens - hope it works out for you. Go with your gut reaction. Life is too short to be constantly unhappy.
Jul 20th 2010, 10:28 pm
#169
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Jul 21st 2010, 7:34 pm
#170
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Andover, MA
Posts: 1,703
Re: Disillusioned
"Give me your phone number and I'll let you listen to it all the time"
Or my personal favorite (not that I've tried this):
US Girl : I luuurve your accent
UK Guy: Thanks. Sounds like you have a little English in you. Do you?
US Girl: No, I don't think so
UK Guy: Well, do you want some?
Jul 21st 2010, 8:12 pm
#171
Unmitigated Gall
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: it's still too dark to tell
Posts: 16,162
Re: Disillusioned
Along with the classic follow ups:
"Give me your phone number and I'll let you listen to it all the time"
Or my personal favorite (not that I've tried this):
US Girl : I luuurve your accent
UK Guy: Thanks. Sounds like you have a little English in you. Do you?
US Girl: No, I don't think so
UK Guy: Well, do you want some?
"Give me your phone number and I'll let you listen to it all the time"
Or my personal favorite (not that I've tried this):
US Girl : I luuurve your accent
UK Guy: Thanks. Sounds like you have a little English in you. Do you?
US Girl: No, I don't think so
UK Guy: Well, do you want some?
I'd find a different word.
Jul 23rd 2010, 12:18 am
#176
lush
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Maine - the "Deep South" of the Northeast
Posts: 5,004
Re: Disillusioned
Imagine asking someone from India where they're from, the very first time you meet them - practically the first question you ask. Or an Australian. Or a Chinese person. I could not imagine stopping a New Yorker in the middle of their sentence and asking them where they're from. Or someone from down south.
Jul 23rd 2010, 1:08 am
#177
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,605
Re: Disillusioned
that's the key to why it's so bloody annoying. You're in the middle of giving someone the information they asked for and their eyes glaze over and they don't even listen anymore, and interrupt you in the middle of it all to ask where you're from, why you are here, what your husband does, and are you happy here. None of their effin business!!!!
Jul 23rd 2010, 1:33 am
#178
lush
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Maine - the "Deep South" of the Northeast
Posts: 5,004
Re: Disillusioned
Jul 23rd 2010, 4:35 am
#180
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,890
Re: Disillusioned
Here even in the capital I get it on a daily basis or its slight variant 'Amerika no doko desu ka?' (which part of America are you from?) - it's normally water off a duck's back by now but if I get bad vibes from the person I simply answer 'Kankoku no doko desu ka?' (Which part of Korea are you from'?) Or the Chugoku (China) version. You should see the looks on their faces!