| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who
post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said:
I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? Quite recently, I used the word 'tap' (as in water) to an American who didn't know what I meant. I'd forgotten that in USA it's a faucet. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon |
OT how much USA peeps are different
sacha wrote in :
On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? Quite recently, I used the word 'tap' (as in water) to an American who didn't know what I meant. I'd forgotten that in USA it's a faucet. I think it's where you go in the USA, or where the person you are talking to comes from. As you know there are Irish, Italian, Chinese, English etc. in the USA. As you say, sacha, why go to these countries when their cultures are on your doorstep. Who needs a passport other than a tourist who has an urge and plenty of money to do it? I read somewhere, recently, that by year 2135 we will all be the same colour(or is it color) due to the inter-breeding of our race over this short period. The colloquial laguage will always remain, Seemingly. Baz |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 8/3/2013 7:03 AM, sacha wrote:
A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? Quite recently, I used the word 'tap' (as in water) to an American who didn't know what I meant. I'd forgotten that in USA it's a faucet. Yes, a tap is generally called a faucet - but what comes out of it is tap-water... |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 03/08/13 12:03, sacha wrote:
On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! |
OT how much USA peeps are different
Broadback wrote:
I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language "Two countries divided by a common language" comes to mind. I can't speak for any Americans (misleading in itself; America is a lot more than the U.S.) but myself...the scale of things here is mind-boggling: It's a 2-3 day drive from my home to a garden convention I attend in northern Iowa, and that's less than half-way across the country. I could have reached most of Europe from any country there in less time.... and there's less need for second (+) languages, though Spanish is up-and-coming. Since most of us are immigrants, you can find any ethnic group/food/etc in any biggish city. A local beer brewer once ran a commercial touting the size/makeup of New York City: More Poles than Cracow. More Jews than Tel Aviv. I forget the rest. Because of all that, many of us are pretty insular....my own international travel was financed by the U.S. navy, and involved mostly great swaths of the Pacific, where I learned (In Hong Kong) that when Aussies have a few beers in them, they really do sing "Waltzing Matilda." -- Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic Zone 5/4 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G |
OT how much USA peeps are different
"Broadback" wrote .
I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? Sue has an English born relative that was in the USAF for many years, he made his home in the States and married a local girl. When their son went to school the parents were called in because the son was having difficulty with spelling and grammar etc,. However, once the "English" teacher heard the father speak she apologised for not realising the son was speaking and writing English. -- Regards. Bob Hobden. Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 03/08/2013 13:59, Chris Hogg wrote:
On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 11:50:38 +0100, Broadback wrote: Wodja mean "foreign in all but language"? I reckon Bernard Shaw had it right when he described the UK and USA as 'two nations divided by a common language'. When I was in the RAF we were working hand in glove with some Americans. One bright spark compile a USA/English dictionary. Words like, side-walk, black top, elevator amongst others. The last one was "jeet" this translated as "Have you yet partaken of your lunch." This came about as the Americans supplied our lunches, come lunch time the cook walked down the corridor, banging on the doors and shouting "Jeet". It had us all, Americans included highly amused. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
Broadback wrote:
When I was in the RAF we were working hand in glove with some Americans. One bright spark compile a USA/English dictionary. My dad told me an airline story: Typically, the crew radios in maintenance issues on a company channel while in-flight, so things can be dealt with quickly. One day, the report was "elevator jammed." Crash crews alerted, medics on standby, the whole nine yards. They were talking about a small dumbwaiter between decks (this was a jumbo jet). Thereafter, this device was referred to as the "lift." -- Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic Zone 5/4 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 2013-08-03 12:04:08 +0000, Baz said:
sacha wrote in : On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? Quite recently, I used the word 'tap' (as in water) to an American who didn't know what I meant. I'd forgotten that in USA it's a faucet. I think it's where you go in the USA, or where the person you are talking to comes from. As you know there are Irish, Italian, Chinese, English etc. in the USA. As you say, sacha, why go to these countries when their cultures are on your doorstep. Who needs a passport other than a tourist who has an urge and plenty of money to do it? I read somewhere, recently, that by year 2135 we will all be the same colour(or is it color) due to the inter-breeding of our race over this short period. The colloquial laguage will always remain, Seemingly. Baz Apparently, some current American forms of speech are olde Englishe and went over with the Pilgrim Fathers! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 2013-08-03 12:07:53 +0000, S Viemeister said:
On 8/3/2013 7:03 AM, sacha wrote: A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? Quite recently, I used the word 'tap' (as in water) to an American who didn't know what I meant. I'd forgotten that in USA it's a faucet. Yes, a tap is generally called a faucet - but what comes out of it is tap-water... Aaaagh! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 03/08/13 15:48, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Broadback" wrote . I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? Sue has an English born relative that was in the USAF for many years, he made his home in the States and married a local girl. When their son went to school the parents were called in because the son was having difficulty with spelling and grammar etc,. However, once the "English" teacher heard the father speak she apologised for not realising the son was speaking and writing English. I lived and worked in Paris for 5 years in the 1950s. Once I was stopped in the street by a young woman who said, "Excuse me. Do you speak American?" To which I could truthfully say, "No, I'm sorry, I only speak English." I left her staring at me in amazement. Hugh -- Hugh Newbury www.evershot-weather.org |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 2013-08-04 08:11:30 +0100, Martin said:
On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:40:39 +0100, Tom Gardner wrote: On 03/08/13 12:03, sacha wrote: On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. But it's incomparably better than American tv news. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.com South Devon www.helpforheroes.org.uk |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 04/08/13 08:11, Martin wrote:
On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:40:39 +0100, Tom Gardner wrote: On 03/08/13 12:03, sacha wrote: On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. Modulo Scottish independence, I disagree. Here "foreign" means out of the UK. The quality of the reporting is a different kettle of fish, as is the (reduced) number of foreign correspondents. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 04/08/13 09:50, Sacha wrote:
On 2013-08-04 08:11:30 +0100, Martin said: On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:40:39 +0100, Tom Gardner wrote: On 03/08/13 12:03, sacha wrote: On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. But it's incomparably better than American tv news. True. In the UK-vs-US TV debate it is worth deeply understanding that - you should "be careful what you wish for: you might get it" - "90% of everything is crud", and we see the best of their stuff - usually those that think the US situation is good haven't spent more than a day or so watching it But this is too far OT, so I'm backing off now. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 04/08/2013 09:51, Tom Gardner wrote:
On 04/08/13 08:11, Martin wrote: On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:40:39 +0100, Tom Gardner wrote: On 03/08/13 12:03, sacha wrote: On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. Modulo Scottish independence, I disagree. Here "foreign" means out of the UK. The quality of the reporting is a different kettle of fish, as is the (reduced) number of foreign correspondents. We don't want "Foreign" correspondents, we want British ones stationed around the world. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
In article ,
sacha wrote: Apparently, some current American forms of speech are olde Englishe and went over with the Pilgrim Fathers! Olde Englishe was invented by Tea Shoppes! More seriously, a lot of their usages are merely preservations of 17th and 18th century English. An educated English speaker can understand almost all of educated American, but not conversely. The New York Yiddish dialect is pretty inscrutable, even to most Americans, and Ebonics is more so. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
In article ,
Martin wrote: On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 13:40:39 +0100, Tom Gardner wrote: On 03/08/13 12:03, sacha wrote: On 2013-08-03 10:50:38 +0000, Broadback said: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. I recommend also looking at Al Jazeera. Russia Today is pretty dire, but occasionally contains things about the UK that the people ruining the country would rather keep quiet (and, yes, I always cross-check such things). Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
In article ,
Martin wrote: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. I recommend also looking at Al Jazeera. Russia Today is pretty dire, but occasionally contains things about the UK that the people ruining the country would rather keep quiet (and, yes, I always cross-check such things). I do. I also look at the French News channel and Euronews. They don't get here :-( Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Quote:
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 04/08/2013 14:36, Janet wrote:
In article , lid says... On Sun, 4 Aug 2013 09:50:46 +0100, Sacha wrote: # You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. But it's incomparably better than American tv news. That's not difficult. :-) BBC TV main news often only contains a few items. Then it goes on to BBC regional news for whatever UK region viewers in Britain live in. I've never seen BBC UK news, national or regional, refer to any UK events/news as "foreign news". Janet. But as those living to the West of the Seven Bridge know, anything to the East of the bridge IS foreign. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 8/4/2013 9:36 AM, Janet wrote:
In article , lid says... On Sun, 4 Aug 2013 09:50:46 +0100, Sacha wrote: You will occasionally come across TV reports of "foreign news" - where foreign means out-of-state! UK TV News isn't a lot better. But it's incomparably better than American tv news. That's not difficult. :-) BBC TV main news often only contains a few items. Then it goes on to BBC regional news for whatever UK region viewers in Britain live in. I've never seen BBC UK news, national or regional, refer to any UK events/news as "foreign news". And I've never seen US news refer to out-of-state stories as foreign - I've lost track - who claimed to have seen this? |
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 04/08/2013 19:34, Sam Plusnet wrote:
In article , lid says... Recently RT had a long interview with Alex Salmond in which he explained that his independent Scotland nuclear weapon policy would not threaten Russia. I hope he said who it _would_ threaten. Not much point in having one if you don't wave it at someone (IYSWIM). What wasn't said It will be a glass bomb A New Clear Bomb, not nuclear. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 8/4/2013 2:42 PM, Sam Plusnet wrote:
In article , says... A few well-travelled Americans have commented to me that a lot of their compatriots are very insular in their outlook and really do not understand others' way of life, choices, or reasons for doing things different to the USA. Comparatively few Americans have passports. But when you think of the size of their country, they can do everything there except enjoy the culture of others. And if they're not interested in that, why go outside America? Is it true that for a lot of (North) Americans the usual annual leave (vacation time) is 2 weeks? Travelling to & from an overseas destination might take up a big slice of that. It is true, for many people. It's not unusual to start with 2 weeks, then get an extra week after 5 years employment. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
In article ,
says... In article , lid says... Recently RT had a long interview with Alex Salmond in which he explained that his independent Scotland nuclear weapon policy would not threaten Russia. I hope he said who it _would_ threaten. Not much point in having one if you don't wave it at someone (IYSWIM). Salmond's policy is a nuclear free Scotland with no nuclear weapons. Janet. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
On 04/08/2013 22:41, Martin wrote:
On Sun, 4 Aug 2013 21:32:40 +0100, Yellow wrote: In article , says... Broadback wrote: When I was in the RAF we were working hand in glove with some Americans. One bright spark compile a USA/English dictionary. My dad told me an airline story: Typically, the crew radios in maintenance issues on a company channel while in-flight, so things can be dealt with quickly. One day, the report was "elevator jammed." Crash crews alerted, medics on standby, the whole nine yards. They were talking about a small dumbwaiter between decks (this was a jumbo jet). Thereafter, this device was referred to as the "lift." I had a confused conversation once with some Americans on a food group where they were talking about Coffee Cake but the recipes had everything in them except coffee. It transpired that American Coffee Cake is cake eaten while drinking coffee and was in fact just about any cake you fancied. Rich tea biscuits contain no tea. They do once you've dunked them in your tea. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
|
OT how much USA peeps are different
On Sun, 04 Aug 2013 10:34:23 +0100, nmm1 wrote:
[] More seriously, a lot of their usages are merely preservations of 17th and 18th century English. An educated English speaker can understand almost all of educated American, but not conversely. The New York Yiddish dialect is pretty inscrutable, even to most Americans, and Ebonics is more so. As a New Yorker born and just returned from there, I couldn't be happier to be back on this side of the pond. The funny thing with American's in general is you never know what you'll get: on the one hand incredible provincialism sometimes even among the very educated, on the other we met a shoe salesman who knew Paris and London extremely well, down to Bertrand and Boris. My family was very amused as always how the NY accent comes back when in the city, the kids simultaneously cringing and laughing at me. cheers, -E -- Gardening in Lower Normandy |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On Sun, 04 Aug 2013 14:36:28 +0100, Janet wrote:
BBC TV main news often only contains a few items. Then it goes on to BBC regional news for whatever UK region viewers in Britain live in. We get the local W Sussex news, which you get depends how you set up the freesat box (for those that use freesat). I've never seen BBC UK news, national or regional, refer to any UK events/news as "foreign news". I suspect the US/foreign news story is an urban myth. Then again, maybe in west Texas... ;) -- Gardening in Lower Normandy |
OT how much USA peeps are different
In article ,
Emery Davis wrote: More seriously, a lot of their usages are merely preservations of 17th and 18th century English. An educated English speaker can understand almost all of educated American, but not conversely. The New York Yiddish dialect is pretty inscrutable, even to most Americans, and Ebonics is more so. As a New Yorker born and just returned from there, I couldn't be happier to be back on this side of the pond. The funny thing with American's in general is you never know what you'll get: on the one hand incredible provincialism sometimes even among the very educated, on the other we met a shoe salesman who knew Paris and London extremely well, down to Bertrand and Boris. Especially in California, where they are all bonkers! I worked there for a bit and was amused by how socialist it was, and quite flabberghasted at the mental variation. In my corridor, we had (non-disabled) people who complained bitterly when the close-in car park had to be resurfaced because it meant walking an extra 200 yards, and one who seriously thought that a 50 mile run was just the thing to do on a Sunday morning! Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
Martin wrote:
Tea cake? Containing neither tea nor cake. And coming in forms that can be toasted, or totally ruin your toaster due to a minor misunderstanding. |
OT how much USA peeps are different
On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 11:50:38 +0100, Broadback wrote:
I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? Just to add to the various apocryphal tales. When we were visiting the US on business in the '80s we were (with a very straight face) advised that smokers should not tell their US counterparts that they would "like to bum a fag" as it did not directly translate. Cheers Dave R |
OT how much USA peeps are different
Or if you have made a mistake whilst doing a drawing or writing with a pencil, ask for, 'A rubber' Mike "David.WE.Roberts" wrote in message ... On Sat, 03 Aug 2013 11:50:38 +0100, Broadback wrote: I have subscribe to "rec.food.cooking", as I think several people who post here are. It makes you realise what a difference there is between us and them, foreign in all but language and that differs more as time passes by. do other here agree, or am I wrong? Just to add to the various apocryphal tales. When we were visiting the US on business in the '80s we were (with a very straight face) advised that smokers should not tell their US counterparts that they would "like to bum a fag" as it did not directly translate. Cheers Dave R |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:45 PM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
GardenBanter