cultural differences
 

hello <BR>I'm doing 'research' about differences between Europeans and North-Americans. I have to write an essay about "whatever" and I think it would be an interesting topic. I am a European living in Canada, so I kind of represent the "other side". I'm interested in your opinions, about general cultural differences, like: staring, dressing (the classic!), perfumes, washcloths, definition of rudeness...etc. Can you come up with other ones? It can be funny too! thanks, lindi

If we recognize that any such discussion of "differences" must deal in generalities, then we off to a good start. Even among Europeans, the differences can be enormous. For example, watch Italians in a discussion, observe the eye movements and the hand gestures. These vary even from one part of Italy to another. I have often wondered why it is that I can spot an American, at least most times. The way we walk--we tend to stride. Europeans tend to shuffle, seldom smiling, seldom making eye contact. We tend to state; they tend to mumble. We use table silver differently. We smoke differently. Fortunately, both cultures are ridding themselves of this bad habit at a fast pace. Except Spaniards and Turks. We seem to be less reserved with strangers; why, I do not know. We seem to have less patience and focus more accomplishing self-set missions. In matters of dress, I find plenty to criticize on both sides of the Atlantic. <BR>Now the Europhiles and Europhobes will bring out their slings and arrows and aim them at me! When one pleases everyone, one has a future in politics...not in Fodor's.

I notice that the French talk lower in restaurants than Americans. And, French also smoke a lot. Whether or not the per capita consumption is greater than i the US I don't know. <BR>Other big differences are in diets. Germans tend to eat more sweets and less meat than Americans. Russians tend to eat the poorest diet among the European population groups. <BR>According to the March, 2000, issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch newsletter, the average Russian male is dying younger now than 10 years ago. Cancer accounts for only .7% of the increased death rate. Alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption and high fat diets are part of the problem. <BR>Relatively poor health care is another factor. (You can read the whole story for yourself on pages 5 and 6 of the March issue. -- It isn't my research that says that!!) <BR> <BR>Now Al, I can also be a manure deflector!! There has been a lot of that lately on this forum. I have an old metal garbage can lid, maybe I can use it as a shield. Let's see, now where is that war surplus helmet I got as a gag gift?

So, Russian men are dying of Macdonalds, Bud and Marlboro's, maybe the cold war isn't really over! Sorry that was a bit below the dustbin lid :-) <BR> <BR>I think you notice differences in the attitude to smoking across Europe rather than smoking itself (how you hold the cigarette notwithstanding). In Britain, for instance, buses, trains, bars, restaurants and theatres are non smoking or have non smoking areas (or smoking areas depending on your bias) whilst in Turkey, for instance, this anti smoking attitude is not prevailent. People still smoke in Britain but its getting publicly less acceptable, all around the med smoking is very much a way of life, almost a social necessity. <BR>

Two distinct cultural differences come immediately to mind. The first - the American - obsessed with blood pressure rates, cholesterol, heart disease, the prospects of heart attack or stroke - on the other hand, the Frenchman weaned on wine and similarly obsessed, but with the health of his liver. <BR> <BR>The second - the American who jumps into his car to drive a quarter of a mile to the golf club, tennis court or gym in order to "exercise" in contrast to the Englishman who walks to the ends of the earth between hedgerows, over stiles, through sheep pastures all the while armed with an ordnance map that seemingly details every rock and tree, hedge and house that he'll encounter on his way. <BR> <BR>

Wes, you reminded me of a "cultural" difference I came across years ago when I was working for a big pharmaceutical company. It seems that there is a big difference in the way Europeans like to receive doses of the identical medicine. In France, the people prefer injections. In Germany, they prefer suppositories. Now, all you Freudians, figure that one out!!!

The French, Italians and Spanish linger over meals instead of racing to finish. They work so that they can live rather than living for work.

Actually, Al, at a recent conference I heard that the French are now also suppository fans. Do you suppose this is one of the effects of the move towards a more unified Europe?

I've never understood why Ordnance Survey maps aren't covered by the Official Secrets Act. Whilst most of the world is terra icognita to invaders, us sporting Brits issue sets of finely detailed, regularly updated maps to save the enemy from having to do their own recce.

As an American who studied in England for my junior year in college, I encountered tons of cultural differences (I can't speak for other European cultures, however). Most striking was the difference between educational systems. In America, there are countless colleges and universities. The vast majority of professionals are college graduates. In the early 90's, at least, I found that Brits placed much less emphasis on higher education, much more on real world experience. And for those who went on to university, the focus of learning was on depth in one particular field, as opposed to what I believe to be the American model, where a wide variety of subjects are taken and students are encouraged to find parallels or relations between, say, jazz music and Beat poetry. An English student of literature would be more likely to know the relationship between Ginsburg and Kerouac, and certainly far more adept at reading aloud in class (they stress public speaking and diction and boy did I feel inadequately prepared in that arena!), but they would be blown away when I related a poem to something non-literary going on in the world when Ginsburg was writing. All the Europeans I met (mainly Brits and Germans) had been forced into choosing a field of study, and thus a career, at a comparatively early age, and I got the strong impression they envied the indulgence we Americans enjoyed in taking 22 + years to play around and "find ourselves." <BR> <BR>The other major difference I noticed was that the Brits were humble and self-effacing to a pathological extent. Non-English speakers going to England need learn only one word: "sorry." It's got to be the most common word in spoken British English. Americans veer to the other extreme, bulldozing their way around with pride. <BR> <BR>Food also provided many instances of culture shock. Nobody on that side of the pond realizes that peanut butter and ice cream are two of the most precious gifts from the gods. But boy do they beat us on chocolate! <BR> <BR>And finally, what is up with the toilet paper in Europe? Hello -- last I heard England wasn't a third world country. At a school or public loo you're lucky to get a few squares of wax paper. Beading is not a trait I look for in toilet tissue....

On the ski slopes, Europeans have no qualms about pushing and shoving onto lift lines whereas Americans typically line up in an orderly fashion and complain about how long the lines are. Americans generally do complain more, and seem always in a rush compared to Europeans. I think we don't appreciate our history (and historical sites) as much either. The preservation of natural habitats and historical buildings, etc. is abysmal (sp?) versus Europe. I agree about the driving as well, especially in Atlanta and L.A. Nobody walks anymore! Most American cities are now so homogonized that you can be almost anywhere and feel at home -- McDonalds, Starbucks, Disney Store, GAP, Borders Books, another Starbucks, Hard Rock Cafe, etc. I was gravely disappointed last year when walking through the back alleys of Venice and saw the Golden Arches.

Thank you for all of your responses. :) A specific question: do you feel that Europeans tend to know more about the history and geography of other countries as opposed to Americans? Is it just that there are many different cultures side-by side, or are Americans more egoistic and not interested in what's out there?

Re your last question: U.S. residents (Canadians have a different view, as well as Mexicans, etc.) have a hard time, I think, relating what they learn about Europe to anything close by. If you live in Oklahoma, then traveling 300 miles gets you to...another state. Italians who travel three hundred miles can get to a whole other country. European histories are interrelated: French kings married English princesses whose sons married German countesses, etc. etc. England and France were always at war, unless they were at war with Prussia or Spain. Centuries of interaction makes history more real. <BR>We've never had another country annex a piece of us (like Alsace), nor claim it because of some marriage (like Aquitaine). <BR>And, by the way, all those d**n kings and queens with the same names like Henry or Catherine or Anne...without the handy wallposters (one bought at the Tower of London, the other at Versailles) showing the family trees of the English and French royals, I would be lost... <BR>To a certain extent it's lazy; but a great part of it is "it's just so d**n confusing and where the h**l is Lancaster anyway and why were they fighting over some d**n flower?" <BR>

Education levels play an important part in how one views the "outside" world. <BR>A German member of the "lumpenproletariat" probably has a much more restricted view than, say, a graduate of a university there. I am amazed how little the Europeans I encounter know about American geography, the differences between parts of America, Canada, and Mexico, and our convoluted political system and its divisions of power. They have difficulty understanding the subtleties of Jeffersonian democracy, why a nation such as ours needs (and has) more than 10,000 banks, and how freely we can travel from one part of America to another. On the other hand, many Americans think in national stereotypes. For example, we recently returned from a glorious tour of the ancient ruins of Mexico. A neighbor asked: do they have cars down there? Did we get robbed? He simply could not believe that we were treated with courtesy, care, and kindliness at every stop and turn.

Interesting question and posts. We just finished reading a book by Lynn Visson titled "Wedded Strangers: The Challenges of Russian-American Marriages." A few of the cultural differences she explores are the distances we stand apart when talking. Russians stand about 8 inches apart, American much further. When answering questions (ie "how ya doing....?) American give a typical "fine...okay" while Russians provide a medical discourse. About sexual differences....

Did you ever notice the cultural variations of haystacks? Each country seems to stack a bit differently. My faves are the Polish ones. Check them out on your next trip.

I've lived here (Europe) and there (US) 50-50 and here is my two cents worth: <BR> <BR>-Americans tend to be more casual (not the same as friendly) when meeting people. They will tell you about their divorce/lay-off/therapy as soon as they meet you but they won't necessarily make an effort to see you again, which baffles many Europeans who confuse this with friendliness and are hurt when it doesn't go further. <BR>-Americans are a product of a country founded by Puritans and have the associated work ethic, attitude towards charity and helping others and towards religion vs govt. This is different to many European countries, which have a stronger socialist influence, ie France, where religion and govt. are (thank god) separate and it's the govt's job to help people. <BR>-Europeans are more focused on pleasure than health, which explains the cigarettes and lack of obsession with cholesteral, jogging, etc. Paradoxically, you see fewer fat people here.

Having worked with/for Americans and visited America (not extensively) but being European i would say that Europeans tend to be more cynical than Americans and more 'complex' - particularly when Europeans are dealing with each other.

<BR>Lindi <BR> <BR>I keep referring to the lack of comprehension of irony by Americans. Sometimes people agree with me and sometimes they do not.

Sheila, <BR> <BR>Americans don't understand ironing anymore because most of our clothing is permanent-press. Plus, "comprehension" of ANYTHING is no longer taught in most US schools. <BR> <BR>Irony, and more often sarcasm, is fairly common with my colleagues at work (we're all graduate-level engineers stuck at the bottom of the corporate ladder, so we probably have a better feel for irony than most.) Outside my close friends though, I have found that other Americans generally take me seriously even when I say the most absurd things. <BR> <BR>When I'm traveling, I do try to say things as simply as possible, since even in Britain the common language doesn't often carry the same intent. I've found that my feeble ventures toward wit almost invariably lead to confusion and (for me) embarassment. <BR> <BR>