different strokes for different folks - what major cultural difference to you find between Europeans and Americans?
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:25 AM
#61
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MissPrism, when I was growing up we were sent back to close the bathroom door if we left it open even a little.
And thinking about it I know all my friends (as well as family) close their bathroom doors. Even the younger ones.
And thinking about it I know all my friends (as well as family) close their bathroom doors. Even the younger ones.
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:37 AM
#62
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, I'm amused that I have been in danger of giving grave offence when visiting American friends's loos, by closing the door after me. I bet that many an English host has also muttered at American guests for being "born in a barnt/field".
It's only recently that I've discovered that "What's up" means something different in American and English. In English, it means "What's the matter" or "what's wrong". You learn something new every day!
It's only recently that I've discovered that "What's up" means something different in American and English. In English, it means "What's the matter" or "what's wrong". You learn something new every day!
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:42 AM
#63
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love Americans, I really do, and I love to travel in the USA, even lived there for a while, but I have to say this;
In the USA you get free tissues, free ice, cheap gas, free plastic bags at supermarket check-outs, there's no refund fee for bottles, hardly any recycling of waste, there's too much AC in the summer and too much central heating in winter. Is all this really necessary? Do you not feel even slightly ashamed that you need 20% of this world's resources for 5% of the world's population?
In the USA you get free tissues, free ice, cheap gas, free plastic bags at supermarket check-outs, there's no refund fee for bottles, hardly any recycling of waste, there's too much AC in the summer and too much central heating in winter. Is all this really necessary? Do you not feel even slightly ashamed that you need 20% of this world's resources for 5% of the world's population?
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:42 AM
#64
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whoops, I meant "born in a barn"
I remember a Scottish chap ordering a good single malt in an American cocktail bar. When he was asked if he wanted it "on the rocks", his face was a picture.
I was in a hotel bar in Scotland where an American woman ordered a glass of red wine. The man at the bar went out of the room and the woman was obviously annoyed about something. All eyes turned to her as she strode up to the bar and spooned several ice-cubes into her red wine.
I remember a Scottish chap ordering a good single malt in an American cocktail bar. When he was asked if he wanted it "on the rocks", his face was a picture.
I was in a hotel bar in Scotland where an American woman ordered a glass of red wine. The man at the bar went out of the room and the woman was obviously annoyed about something. All eyes turned to her as she strode up to the bar and spooned several ice-cubes into her red wine.
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:48 AM
#65
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MissPrism, "were you born in a barn" was the exact comment we got from my dear father when we left the bathroom door ajar. Or slammed a door. Or leaned over the table. Or put our elbows on the table. Or left the kitchen cabinet door open. Good grief we got so very sick of that expression! But obviously it worked. Better to do what we were told then hear that expression "one more time".
He was raised in Australia so do not know if that is an English expression or if Americans use it too. Cannot remember hearing anyone else say it.
He was raised in Australia so do not know if that is an English expression or if Americans use it too. Cannot remember hearing anyone else say it.
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:58 AM
#66
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,927
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Widely known in the UK, though to me it sounds as though it requires a suitably grumpy Yorkshire accent.
Similarly, 'You make a better door than a window' (when someone stands in your line of view.
One I haven't heard anywhere else, but it's become a family saying, came about when my mother had put her handbag on a seat to save it for a friend (waiting for a train, or something of the kind). A very large woman came along, took the bag off and sat down, and when my mother said she was saving the seat, the reply came (this was in the north of England too) - 'It's bums saves seats, not bags.'
Similarly, 'You make a better door than a window' (when someone stands in your line of view.
One I haven't heard anywhere else, but it's become a family saying, came about when my mother had put her handbag on a seat to save it for a friend (waiting for a train, or something of the kind). A very large woman came along, took the bag off and sat down, and when my mother said she was saving the seat, the reply came (this was in the north of England too) - 'It's bums saves seats, not bags.'
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:08 AM
#68
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my house the expression was "born in a tent", but I've never heard that variant anywhere else.
MissPrism, I wish women would stop complaining about men leaving the seat up. Do you ever hear us complain about it being left down?
MissPrism, I wish women would stop complaining about men leaving the seat up. Do you ever hear us complain about it being left down?
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:29 AM
#70
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Will Travel - that was good!!!!
And PatrickLondon "you make a better door than you do a window" was another comment we heard from dear old Dad when we stood in front of the television, or between he and whoever he was talking to. Too funny! Haven't heard that one in years.
And yes both said in a grumpy manner but not Yorkshire. His mother from London, his father a Scot.
Born in a tent Neil??? But tents don't have doors! Now that takes some explaining. But oh boy did WillTravel get you on the toilet seat comment. I am still laughing.
And PatrickLondon "you make a better door than you do a window" was another comment we heard from dear old Dad when we stood in front of the television, or between he and whoever he was talking to. Too funny! Haven't heard that one in years.
And yes both said in a grumpy manner but not Yorkshire. His mother from London, his father a Scot.
Born in a tent Neil??? But tents don't have doors! Now that takes some explaining. But oh boy did WillTravel get you on the toilet seat comment. I am still laughing.
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:35 AM
#71
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
On the grounds that it's seems as unfair that men should always have to put the seat up to use the loo as it is that women have to put the seat down, I don't really have a problem with it. HOWEVER, this is totally negated by the fact that I hate seeing the loo LID left up - which means I guess that the seat has to go down as well! 
And I think that's where the feng shui thing comes in (not that that's my reason, I just think it looks a bit nasty given the purpose of the thing), allegedly if you leave the lid up your money will pour down the loo!
Oh, and incidentally, I've always lived in England and we always leave the bathroom door open. Although I know that my mum keeps her downstairs loo door shut - maybe she thinks that it will offend visitors!? Personally I'd rather be able to tell if someone is in there...
And I think that's where the feng shui thing comes in (not that that's my reason, I just think it looks a bit nasty given the purpose of the thing), allegedly if you leave the lid up your money will pour down the loo!Oh, and incidentally, I've always lived in England and we always leave the bathroom door open. Although I know that my mum keeps her downstairs loo door shut - maybe she thinks that it will offend visitors!? Personally I'd rather be able to tell if someone is in there...
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:41 AM
#72
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This one could run and run!
In my family somebody blocking the view would be told, "Your father wasn't a glazier".
On the lavatory seat thing. I've read that before flushing, one should not only lower the seat but should also lower the lid. It seema that when you flush you release a sort of aerosol of germs.
It's more than that with women though, more like an instinctive revulsion. In leaving the seat up, a man is behaving like a tom-cat. "I am a male and I will leave my mark!"
In my family somebody blocking the view would be told, "Your father wasn't a glazier".
On the lavatory seat thing. I've read that before flushing, one should not only lower the seat but should also lower the lid. It seema that when you flush you release a sort of aerosol of germs.
It's more than that with women though, more like an instinctive revulsion. In leaving the seat up, a man is behaving like a tom-cat. "I am a male and I will leave my mark!"
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:43 AM
#73
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tallulah, oh yes, the lid has to be down too, absolutely!!!
I never thought about a closed bathroom door could cause confusion about whether or not the bathroom was in use. Hmm, guess one would need to go around and count heads before tenativly knocking on the door? But then again we always locked the door in the bathroom so the worse that would happen is a gentle rattle of the door handle.
Well as the title of this thead said "different strokes for different folks". There sure are!
Good grief, I wonder whether threads like this end up on Google too????
If so the rest of the world is going to think all of us on Fodors are a bunch of nuts!! No comments please.
I never thought about a closed bathroom door could cause confusion about whether or not the bathroom was in use. Hmm, guess one would need to go around and count heads before tenativly knocking on the door? But then again we always locked the door in the bathroom so the worse that would happen is a gentle rattle of the door handle.
Well as the title of this thead said "different strokes for different folks". There sure are!
Good grief, I wonder whether threads like this end up on Google too????
If so the rest of the world is going to think all of us on Fodors are a bunch of nuts!! No comments please.
Jan 26th, 2005, 04:19 AM
#74
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
MissPrism: what does "What's up ?" mean in American ?
Patrick: I first heard "It's bums saves seats, not bags" said by Molly Sugden's character in the old British TV series, 'The Liver Birds', some time in the late 60s/early 70s I'd guess.
Patrick: I first heard "It's bums saves seats, not bags" said by Molly Sugden's character in the old British TV series, 'The Liver Birds', some time in the late 60s/early 70s I'd guess.
Jan 26th, 2005, 04:56 AM
#76
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,067
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LoveItaly, my mom used to use that "were you born in a barn" expression when I was growing up too. She stopped finally when I got to those smart-alec teen years and thought to ask "uh, wouldn't you know that better than I would?". I could run like the wind (or at least a decent breeze) back in those days.
Jan 26th, 2005, 04:58 AM
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well, I've read all the posts now and still can't decide if it's still on topic or not! Doesn't matter either way, it's all interesting stuff (aside from the odd rants of "people who need professional help", but we'll say no more about that).
To balance out the one way traffic a little, here's a few things I've found unusual on my travels to the US:
- big cars. BIG. Big and the front and big at the back? I'd find parking a nightmare.
- casual dress on old people. Jeans on 70 year olds. My parents legs have NEVER seen denim. I remember my Dad going to his client's home in Maryland, wearing his usual suit and tie. His American client said " you going to a wedding or something?"
- drinking lots of (non-alcoholic) liquid with meals. Water, coke, endless refils of coffee - are you constantly on the loo LOL?
- sweeter food. I even thought the bread and butter tasted sweeter. And mixing sweet and savoury on the same plate (I went to a friend's in Chicago for dinner, and thought the fruit salad on the table was for dessert. Little did I know it was meant to go with my sphagetti Bolognese. Now come on folks, that's just WEIRD)
- flags everywhere, and seemingly every house has a flag pole above the front door. And if it's not the stars and stripes, it's a flag with a pumpkin, or santa, or even a turkey on it! I kind of like how you go all out for your national holidays. We only wave our national flag during international football matches. If you ever come to England and see lots of Union flags or England flags around, you can be sure there's an international tournament on.
- Americans always seem very polite and welcoming. Yes, even in New York.
- service in restaurants and shops is intensive. I actually find it a bit unnerving, and sometimes long to be left alone!
It's already been said, but obviously there's HUGE cultural difference between European countries. Being British, I often feel our culture is a little closer to the US than mainland Europe, aside from sex, religion and politics of course (those minor subjects)!
To balance out the one way traffic a little, here's a few things I've found unusual on my travels to the US:
- big cars. BIG. Big and the front and big at the back? I'd find parking a nightmare.
- casual dress on old people. Jeans on 70 year olds. My parents legs have NEVER seen denim. I remember my Dad going to his client's home in Maryland, wearing his usual suit and tie. His American client said " you going to a wedding or something?"
- drinking lots of (non-alcoholic) liquid with meals. Water, coke, endless refils of coffee - are you constantly on the loo LOL?
- sweeter food. I even thought the bread and butter tasted sweeter. And mixing sweet and savoury on the same plate (I went to a friend's in Chicago for dinner, and thought the fruit salad on the table was for dessert. Little did I know it was meant to go with my sphagetti Bolognese. Now come on folks, that's just WEIRD)
- flags everywhere, and seemingly every house has a flag pole above the front door. And if it's not the stars and stripes, it's a flag with a pumpkin, or santa, or even a turkey on it! I kind of like how you go all out for your national holidays. We only wave our national flag during international football matches. If you ever come to England and see lots of Union flags or England flags around, you can be sure there's an international tournament on.
- Americans always seem very polite and welcoming. Yes, even in New York.
- service in restaurants and shops is intensive. I actually find it a bit unnerving, and sometimes long to be left alone!
It's already been said, but obviously there's HUGE cultural difference between European countries. Being British, I often feel our culture is a little closer to the US than mainland Europe, aside from sex, religion and politics of course (those minor subjects)!
Jan 26th, 2005, 05:08 AM
#78
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey everybody;
If you ask for comments you'll get comments. That's it. The comments may be negative or positive. They may be exactly the same as your opinion or they may be exactly the opposite. And you may even find them insulting. But you will just have to accept them as someone else's opinion. Please.
I think if you have a valid argument for an ignorant poster, then make it. Logically and clearly.
Bad and insulting comments may open our eyes to real problems and they shouldn't be ignored and shot down.
I'd rather have honest opinions than people who are extremely politically correct to the point of being warped and untrue.
And I'm soooo fed up with ANYONE (from WHEREVER) who want to shut up everyone who have different views. Every society has its own problems and we should listen to the warning signs rather than ignore them.
That was my rant for today.
Thanks.
If you ask for comments you'll get comments. That's it. The comments may be negative or positive. They may be exactly the same as your opinion or they may be exactly the opposite. And you may even find them insulting. But you will just have to accept them as someone else's opinion. Please.
I think if you have a valid argument for an ignorant poster, then make it. Logically and clearly.
Bad and insulting comments may open our eyes to real problems and they shouldn't be ignored and shot down.
I'd rather have honest opinions than people who are extremely politically correct to the point of being warped and untrue.
And I'm soooo fed up with ANYONE (from WHEREVER) who want to shut up everyone who have different views. Every society has its own problems and we should listen to the warning signs rather than ignore them.
That was my rant for today.
Thanks.
Jan 26th, 2005, 05:15 AM
#79
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As an American, I like the European concept of time/vacation. Europeans are more laid back.
What was interesting in many restaurants across Europe was the "slow service." For Americans, we see expect the cheery waiter to come throughout the meal and be prompt and fast. In europe, there are fewer waiters. Generally, people take more time for meals and relax more!
What was interesting in many restaurants across Europe was the "slow service." For Americans, we see expect the cheery waiter to come throughout the meal and be prompt and fast. In europe, there are fewer waiters. Generally, people take more time for meals and relax more!
Jan 26th, 2005, 05:34 AM
#80
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Europe, if you don't have any more work to do, you go home. In America, you stay until the evening because God forbid anyone will think that you're not extremely busy at work!
Americans are very friendly but Europeans are more honest (regarding opinions or feelings).
Europeans are more sensitive to social issues, wars, culture, nationalism, etc. I never with for America to experience an occupation or an international war on their land, but they do have to understand these issues more.
Europeans are more concerned about environmental issues, global warming, waste management, efficient energy use and so on. As a percentage of the population. They don't use as many paper plates, plastic cups, sprinkler systems, air conditioning, non-refillable pens, advertising flyers.
Americans are less likely to smoke, which is a very good thing.
Europeans seem to prefer to enjoy life, Americans seem to prefer to live a long, healthy and prosperous life.
Americans want equal opportunity but don't have the free and good quality education system to back it up. Equal opportunity seems to only apply if you either have a middle/upper class family, or if you're very lucky. Same applies for Europe I guess, except you can rise above your background by getting a free (or heavily subsidized) education.
Americans are very friendly but Europeans are more honest (regarding opinions or feelings).
Europeans are more sensitive to social issues, wars, culture, nationalism, etc. I never with for America to experience an occupation or an international war on their land, but they do have to understand these issues more.
Europeans are more concerned about environmental issues, global warming, waste management, efficient energy use and so on. As a percentage of the population. They don't use as many paper plates, plastic cups, sprinkler systems, air conditioning, non-refillable pens, advertising flyers.
Americans are less likely to smoke, which is a very good thing.
Europeans seem to prefer to enjoy life, Americans seem to prefer to live a long, healthy and prosperous life.
Americans want equal opportunity but don't have the free and good quality education system to back it up. Equal opportunity seems to only apply if you either have a middle/upper class family, or if you're very lucky. Same applies for Europe I guess, except you can rise above your background by getting a free (or heavily subsidized) education.
