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American Phrase Book

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Re: American Phrase Book

#11

Post by Stratoscope »

ElijahLynn wrote: post #8

They lost me on the first two. "Let's have lunch sometime" - Yeah, when I say that I genuinely mean it. It does NOT mean "I don't want to see you again." to me. "Thanks for reminding me" - Again, I genuinely mean that when I say it. NOT "Stop bugging me!".

Most people are like you or me: we mean what we say and say what we mean.

This list is not supposed to reflect how people actually talk with each other. It's just a made-up sarcastic list, put together for the sake of humor. That can be a fun thing, as long as we don't mistake for an useful phrase book that tries to describe what people actually say and mean.

Re: American Phrase Book

#12

Post by Stratoscope »

elliotec wrote: post #7

Overall I think this is bad and completely attributed to politeness, and is even weak at that compared to other languages. Many people in the Philippines would lie in response to seemingly important questions just to seem polite. "Do you know where the {important building} is?" "Oh yes, it's just across the way over there!" (it wasn't)

It's not a serious list. It's just a bunch of made-up stuff. Some of it hits close to home, as good humor should, but much of it is just there for humorous effect.

Re: American Phrase Book

#13

Post by 9nGQluzmnq3M »

Yup. One of the great mysteries of the world is how Americans think they are so straightforward and direct and honest... and then they ask a German if their butt looks big in these pants, and burst into tears on hearing the answer.

On a mildly more serious note, I remember well my first ever serious business meeting in the US, where we pitched a potential joint venture to another company. 30 minutes of mutual praise about the awesome potential of the idea and positive affirmations of how we're totally going to do this ensued... and immediately after we left, my (American) business partner dropped the smile, said "welp, that went badly" and stated that there was no way in hell they'd proceed. Which proved to be the case.

Re: American Phrase Book

#14

Post by dvfjsdhgfv »

sofayam wrote: post #10
elliotec wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Let's get lunch tomorrow/this week/some actual date!" Took me a while to realize this actually works, as a born and raised American.

“works” as in “gets the other person to leave me alone”?

“works” as in “the meaning of the phrase depends on whether timing is indicated.”

Re: American Phrase Book

#15

Post by Stratoscope »

sn41 wrote: post #6

This is great. I think we need phrasebooks for all cultures. I'm Indian, and a Chinese friend was pissed that Indians say "yes" and never do it. I think it's a cultural no-no in India to say "no" to someone's face. I finally realised that a short "yes" most probably means "yes", and a long-drawn out "yes" probably means "no".

A good friend of mine from Japan said something similar: if someone says "we will do our best", it means "ain't gonna happen."

I can sympathize with this! I have such a hard time saying "no", even (or especially) when that is what must be said.

In any case, keep in mind that this is a fake phrasebook made for the sake of humor. It doesn't depict how Americans actually speak with each other, it's just all in fun.

Re: American Phrase Book

#16

Post by wenderen »

I got bit by "How's it going / How are you?" when I first came to the USA. Turns out you're not actually supposed to answer with how you really are, and if you do so, they look at you like you've said something weird.

Re: American Phrase Book

#19

Post by onion2k »

This feels like someone has taken the classic "Anglo EU translation guide (2011)"[1] and tried to do the same thing for American sayings. It works a little better for British sayings because, frankly, we Brits are incredibly repressed and never say what we mean if we can put our true meaning in the subtext.

[1] https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2011/05/17/anglo-eu-translation-gu...

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