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Getting to Know Americans

nyu.edu

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Re: Getting to Know Americans

#171

Post by Dylanlacey »

ido wrote: post #29
iopuy wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Japanese.... In Japan being late is seen as seriously wrong.

Austria, Switzerland, all or most of Scandinavia...Probably most or all central/north/north western European societies. IIRC Australia is also the same.

Really? Huh. I guess. Being someone with ADD I've stopped stressing about being consistently 5 minutes late, but I guess you're right, people are/were disproportionately upset with it until they've come to know me for a while and know I'm often like this.

Although sometimes it backfires and they get more annoyed because "Can't you fix that if you know it happens every time?"

No, you fuckwit, if I could reliably fix it I would have. It's not for lack of trying, so back the fuck off!

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#172

Post by jarin »

jarin wrote: post #154
notJim wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My Singaporean roommate complains about this very thing. He thinks it's a politeness thing, as in, Americans will say "Let's do this again sometime," to sound polite, even when they have no intention of doing so.

I know that I totally intend on following up, but starting up new friendships often seems like a lot of work. Most of my friendships come from work, friends of friends, or other regulars at the bar my friends and I all go to. It seems like less of a risk after you randomly socialize with them a few times.

Just wanted to clear up that by "them", I don't mean foreigners, I mean potential new friends.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#173

Post by bioh42_2 »

nebaneba wrote: post #130
bioh42_2 wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know, unlike English some languages have a sarcastic tense.

Fascinating. Sarcasm is inherent in the grammar? Can you give some examples? update: searched a bit, cannot find any supporting evidence for bioh42_2's statement.

Inferential or renarrative mood: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferential_mood

Not always intended as sarcastic, but:

The main body of the news report tends to use the renarrative correctly - but sometimes, again, it is intentionally avoided. (...) This is because, due to its ambiguity, the renarrative in such cases could be perceived as a passing of judgement or expression of doubt by the reporter...

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#175

Post by jbooth »

protomyth wrote: post #163
jbooth wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think a lot of the beef with "typical Americans" is with your last type. If you get off the coasts you can find a whole bunch of Americans who are seemingly proud of not knowing anything about the rest of the world.

Wow, that's a pretty insulting statement. What is your source for this belief?

It's a statement about stereotypes and why the stereotype is disliked.

I can recount some anecdotes that fulfill the stereotype if you'd like.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#176

Post by maw »

lallysingh wrote: post #79
loire280 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

America isn't the most punctual culture, but there are plenty of cultures that are much more casual about lateness, including some Middle Eastern, South American, and African cultures. Most Americans brush off as much as 15 minutes of tardiness, but in some cultures, 30-60 minutes isn't uncommon. The German student who consistently shows up a few minutes early may be annoyed that fellow students show up a few minutes…

IST: "Indian Standard Time" When a family member invites us over for 7:30, they mean 8:00. If you actually arrive at 7:30, they're still getting ready themselves.

IST sounds friggin awesome, at least compared to MST (Mexican Standard Time). We've had guests invited for 8:00 arrive at 10:30.

Re: Getting to Know Americans

#177

Post by protomyth »

jbooth wrote: post #175
protomyth wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, that's a pretty insulting statement. What is your source for this belief?

It's a statement about stereotypes and why the stereotype is disliked. I can recount some anecdotes that fulfill the stereotype if you'd like.

I grew up in North Dakota and haven't found anyone who was "proud" of not knowing about the rest of the world. In a lot of circles it is a point of pride to know a whole lot about where your ancestors came from. I find the generalization particularly insulting and mostly untrue.
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