USA, culture, patience, understanding and stuff!

[srebbe64]

I've been in the USA for a few weeks (work and holiday) and I think I've learned something of cultural value! Specifically, when I go to the cinema in the UK it's a personal thing! I like peace and quiet and a clear view of the film. I get irritated with people talking and unnecessary noise - especially the consumption of certain foodstuffs!

Anyway, I went to see the latest Batman movie in the US and found myself getting cheesed off within one minute! However, within thirty minutes I realized, after much cheering and jeering, the movie was more like a sports event than, what I in the UK, would call a film. After an hour or so I quite got into the US culture and started viewing the movie in a pantomime way (which is British) and enjoyed the film in a new way.

So, as of today I'm officially 'tolerent'!!'

[thehawk]

I've spent the last couple of weeks in California and can say a similar thing, it's quite easy to understand America and Americans a lot more now. I've even started to enjoy hip hop and rap music.

[Corpulent Tosser]

thehawk said:

I've even started to enjoy hip hop and rap music.

Easy now, you may have taken your liking for things US too far

Seriously though I was not keen on Americans having worked with a few in SCotland, but after going to live and work in the US for a bit over a year I 'got' them more, I still think they are better in their own country though, meaning I like Americans in America, most of those I meet elsewhere I am less keen on for some reason.

[Bing o]

Over heard on a recent trip to the Grand Canyon:

11 year old boy: "Wow dad, this place is amazing - how did it get here?"

Father: "That's the thing son, no-one even knows son, no-one even knows..."

This is a true story!

[Don]

I've been to cinemas in the UK where the audience cheered and booed and made wisecracks during the film. I've been to the movies in the US and the audience was silent. Just depends on the audience on the night, kind of place it is, where it is in town and so on.

I've lived and worked in the US and what I came to discover? Americans are just like us. Whilst being completely different. If you can work out what that means - you've "got" the US.

[Bing o]

Don said:

Americans are just like us. Whilst being completely different. If you can work out what that means - you've "got" the US.

That's a pretty fair comment

[jeff m]

African Americans hoot and holla during films, the volume inside the cinema is adjusted accordingly. It's considered normal.

[Battenburg Bob]

My Brother in Law married a girl from a small town in Georgia. It's a fantastic place. You couldn't find a friendlier, cleaner and more relaxed place. Everyone had a please and thank you. The shop assistants actually looked at you when you were served and didn't carry on talking to their mates.

In fact, it was quite depressing to come back to this miserable place.

[Fidgits]

Bing o said:

Over heard on a recent trip to the Grand Canyon:

11 year old boy: "Wow dad, this place is amazing - how did it get here?"

Father: "That's the thing son, no-one even knows son, no-one even knows..."

This is a true story!

The best was when we were at Yellowstone earlier this year, sat waiting for "old faithful" to erupt..


a young child next to us was understandably getting bored and wanting to leave, and not really bothered when it started to erupt...

His father spent the entire eruption telling his kid "Now pay attention - your very lucky to see this, very few people get to see this you know..."

right in the middle of a crowd of 100's, of which occurs at least 10 times a day... all year round..

[Fidgits]

Bing o said:

Don said:

Americans are just like us. Whilst being completely different. If you can work out what that means - you've "got" the US.

That's a pretty fair comment

I've always thought there are some pretty significant cultural differences - people assume because we speak the same language (almost) and watch their TV and movies it's the same...

I love the culture shift, its really interesting.


Its like sports events - they are as much about social interaction as the sport - it explains why the american sports go on so long and have so many breaks... so they can stock up on booze and hot dogs..

[Deva Link]

Battenburg Bob said:

My Brother in Law married a girl from a small town in Georgia. It's a fantastic place. You couldn't find a friendlier, cleaner and more relaxed place. Everyone had a please and thank you. The shop assistants actually looked at you when you were served and didn't carry on talking to their mates.

In fact, it was quite depressing to come back to this miserable place.

I always think that too.

I bet you wouldn't want to be a State Trooper, though?