Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:13 pm
#16
strangely floppy..
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ohio - originally London
Posts: 1,719
Re: Weird US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Wintersong
Is it just me who has noticed a distinct lack of Christmassy food in the supermarkets? You know the kind of thing - party foods, chipolatas wrapped in bacon, Lebkuchen, cream with different liqueurs, brandy butter etc etc
I find it all distinctly unfestive
I find it all distinctly unfestive
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:15 pm
#17
Failed Expat ;-)
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: (Great) Britain
Posts: 7,392
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
What's up with boxes for Xmas gifts -how difficult is it to wrap a sweater without first putting it in a box?
(Watching grown women throw tantrums, after the department stores run out of gift boxes -priceless!)
(Watching grown women throw tantrums, after the department stores run out of gift boxes -priceless!)
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:20 pm
#18
Return of bouncing girl!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: The Fourth Reich
Posts: 4,931
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by NJ_Dave
What's up with boxes for Xmas gifts -how difficult is it to wrap a sweater without first putting it in a box?
(Watching grown women throw tantrums, after the department stores run out of gift boxes -priceless!)
(Watching grown women throw tantrums, after the department stores run out of gift boxes -priceless!)
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:23 pm
#19
Back Again
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Virtual Reality
Posts: 10,831
Re: Weird US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
I'd love to find some decent cream with different liqueurs! Also, miss the little mince pies from Sainsburys and the German Stollen cake.
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:25 pm
#20
Return of bouncing girl!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: The Fourth Reich
Posts: 4,931
Re: Weird US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by AmerLisa
I'd love to find some decent cream with different liqueurs! Also, miss the little mince pies from Sainsburys and the German Stollen cake.
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:25 pm
#21
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 853
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by franc11s
1. Can American women understand how unattractive it is to see them in a Christmas cardigan (straight after the organge pumpkin ones). they are pathetic.. Something you might wear if you were two years old and it was knitted by Granny... Ladies - unattractive is an understatement - DON'T wear them..... :scared:
2. Please STOP sending me christmas cards disguised as photographs of your entire family. What is that all about?
3. Americans who turn up for the Christmas party / dinner party in a jumper, jeans or less than even Friday casual wear (or said cardigans). You can tell the Europeans because we all make an effort and it's nice and the women look great....
I LOVE Christmas but these things make me cringe. Bah humbug .
2. Please STOP sending me christmas cards disguised as photographs of your entire family. What is that all about?
3. Americans who turn up for the Christmas party / dinner party in a jumper, jeans or less than even Friday casual wear (or said cardigans). You can tell the Europeans because we all make an effort and it's nice and the women look great....
I LOVE Christmas but these things make me cringe. Bah humbug .
I don't find the items on your list too cringeworthy - maybe worth a grin or two, though.Most Americans in this neck of the woods put lots of effort into decorating the outsides of their homes - there are a few in the "posh" part of town that would put Blackpool to shame! It seems to be their priority, dressing up to the nines is not on their "to do" list. Works for me!
Something I did find cringeworthy though was a float in the town's Christmas parade this year. A depiction of the crucifiction, with a young fellow hanging on a cross, and attendant Roman soldiers etc. (Real people from a local church!)
That was bad enough, in a parade supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ, even more astounding was that it won the award for Best Float!!!!
Cringe, cringe!!
And in the park where there is a very nice Christmas lights display, there's a section dedicated to the crucifiction.
It's also fairly cringeworthy to go to a Christmas gathering and find no alcohol. :scared:
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:25 pm
#22
Back Again
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Virtual Reality
Posts: 10,831
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Wintersong
And how come you can't buy single sheets of gift wrap? I don't want to have to buy a whole roll just to wrap up one child's present. It's a pain in the ass.
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:27 pm
#23
Return of bouncing girl!
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: The Fourth Reich
Posts: 4,931
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Celtic_Angel
that's what gift bags are for deary
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:29 pm
#24
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: Weird US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Wintersong
I'd love to find some decent cream
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:34 pm
#25
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Dimsie
Most Americans in this neck of the woods put lots of effort into decorating the outsides of their homes - there are a few in the "posh" part of town that would put Blackpool to shame! It seems to be their priority, dressing up to the nines is not on their "to do" list. Works for me!
It's also fairly cringeworthy to go to a Christmas gathering and find no alcohol. :scared:
No booze?? And people dressed in their everyday jeans and sweaters? OMG!
But then I see you are in Oklahoma... :scared:
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:35 pm
#26
Back Again
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Virtual Reality
Posts: 10,831
Re: Weird US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by lionheart
Going to resist the obvious joke that I think you already did
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:36 pm
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Dimsie
Something I did find cringeworthy though was a float in the town's Christmas parade this year. A depiction of the crucifiction, with a young fellow hanging on a cross, and attendant Roman soldiers etc. (Real people from a local church!)
That was bad enough, in a parade supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ, even more astounding was that it won the award for Best Float!!!!
Cringe, cringe!!
And in the park where there is a very nice Christmas lights display, there's a section dedicated to the crucifiction.
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:36 pm
#28
Back Again
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Virtual Reality
Posts: 10,831
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by Wintersong
But it's cheaper to buy a roll of wrapping paper!
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:37 pm
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: TN
Posts: 1,759
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
And how cam most americans say that thanksgiving is the best holiday..
its just christmas without the pressies!.............................
actually i think i can see where they are coming from.... no crappy sweaters, no homer simpson boxers, no pine needles stuck in your fricking feet, no EGNOG :scared: no overdraft from all the shite you have had to buy everyone, no huge electricity bill for the light (kyoto anyone????)
ok, thanksgiving is now my favourite holiday!
roll out the sweet potatos!
its just christmas without the pressies!.............................
actually i think i can see where they are coming from.... no crappy sweaters, no homer simpson boxers, no pine needles stuck in your fricking feet, no EGNOG :scared: no overdraft from all the shite you have had to buy everyone, no huge electricity bill for the light (kyoto anyone????)
ok, thanksgiving is now my favourite holiday!
roll out the sweet potatos!
Dec 22nd 2005, 5:43 pm
#30
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: Wierd US traditions drive me bonkers..
Originally Posted by basementwaj
...no overdraft from all the shite you have had to buy everyone..........
I stopped years ago. In due course they'll stop buying you stuff too.
Believe me it works!