lol - I agree, United States of... ... inhabitants do smile a lot. I've never been comfortable with this. My family primarily scowls, sobs, and grimaces. They insist it's only when I'm around.
I worked on a project with people from Russia, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ukraine, and several other countries all in the same office in California. There were very few who identified as anglo-saxon. I was most at ease with those who didn't laugh loud or smile big for no reason. It made more sense. I mean, delivering news that a subject is dead and needs an autopsy isn't all that funny.
Not people - tech. Same thing.
When it came time to shooting safety holes in eachother's projects it did get funny. People with families in countries that were fighting eachother would say things like, "Yeah, you left a hole in this before. Here's how we exploited it." Everyone turns green and pale.
But as a US_Asdlkfjslkfj, I did run into a problem with a programmer from China who didn't want to age someone until the Lunar New Year. The man in question really didn't like hearing he couldn't retire yet.
I'm thinking about it. Potentially a serious one with a title like "A Week Without International Trade Agreements." Most Americans don't realize how much tech, pharma, and financial companies collaborate with others around the world. I go a little nuts over ignorance of necessary international collaboration. Isolationists should try living without semiconductors and routers for a week after the US dollar is no longer the dominant currency. We're insanely dependent on the internet for supply chain management, don't keep adequate inventory on hand, and depend on an insane person for satellite communications. We learn from earthquakes and other natural disasters just how bad we are at planning for a day without a cell tower or internet. People impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast still need rescuing and may be without water for weeks in parts of... those states that are probably made up since I've never been there. (crap - Typist the Terrible started to take over! Booooorrrrring!)
Me in the US: From Athens, Greece. The reply is always the same. Oh, how nice! Everybody gets it!
Me in Europe: From Athens. Nobody gets it. Then I try, Ateny, Athenas, Athenes, Aten and so on. Still nobody gets it. Then I play my last card (after they played with my last nerve). You know Acropolis? After a MILE-long pondering time, this time, they all get it! Oh, how nice! Lol! And we all smile and...move on! hahaha! Great one, my Smillew! ❤️
Hey! Now I am going to womansplain an article back at you… what your European husband doesn’t understand! Ha! (I am an American living in Europe and I terrify the French daily with my horsetooth half insane Amerogrin.
Interesting… I have a Polish friend here and she feels more culturally close to me than the French typically do. Is that because we are foreigners? This is going to mess up my essay. I will throw some Euro stuff your way soon and you can tell me if it jives.
She must really love you. My grandparents were from Poland. They were in the US over 60 years and barely spoke English. I can't begin to imagine trying to cope in a country where the language is so different from mine. My maiden name starts with a letter that doesn't exist in English.
The American smile IS predatory. We're all looking to sell you something. I completely understand the language thing, but then, I'm old and read a lot. I once tried to operate a washing machine in Switzerland. The instructions were in four different languages, none of which was English. That was a reality check.
Sorry, there's a typo in the last sentence. It should have read:
"Here's hoping you'll become a paid subscriber to my Substack in the future."
<insert big and bright smile>
The smiling thing is so interesting.
I always give huge smiles to seem friendly but then look away like, I am a warm person but please don’t speak to me.
Europeans are far more honest
😁
Another European comparing themselves to monkeys. At least we commit and act like it!
Keep it going! You’re doing great 🍌
lol - I agree, United States of... ... inhabitants do smile a lot. I've never been comfortable with this. My family primarily scowls, sobs, and grimaces. They insist it's only when I'm around.
I worked on a project with people from Russia, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ukraine, and several other countries all in the same office in California. There were very few who identified as anglo-saxon. I was most at ease with those who didn't laugh loud or smile big for no reason. It made more sense. I mean, delivering news that a subject is dead and needs an autopsy isn't all that funny.
Not people - tech. Same thing.
When it came time to shooting safety holes in eachother's projects it did get funny. People with families in countries that were fighting eachother would say things like, "Yeah, you left a hole in this before. Here's how we exploited it." Everyone turns green and pale.
But as a US_Asdlkfjslkfj, I did run into a problem with a programmer from China who didn't want to age someone until the Lunar New Year. The man in question really didn't like hearing he couldn't retire yet.
Write a story about it
I'm thinking about it. Potentially a serious one with a title like "A Week Without International Trade Agreements." Most Americans don't realize how much tech, pharma, and financial companies collaborate with others around the world. I go a little nuts over ignorance of necessary international collaboration. Isolationists should try living without semiconductors and routers for a week after the US dollar is no longer the dominant currency. We're insanely dependent on the internet for supply chain management, don't keep adequate inventory on hand, and depend on an insane person for satellite communications. We learn from earthquakes and other natural disasters just how bad we are at planning for a day without a cell tower or internet. People impacted by Hurricane Helene in the Southeast still need rescuing and may be without water for weeks in parts of... those states that are probably made up since I've never been there. (crap - Typist the Terrible started to take over! Booooorrrrring!)
😆 sounds like a boostable one!
Hahhaa love this anecdote!!
One q: where are you from?
Me in the US: From Athens, Greece. The reply is always the same. Oh, how nice! Everybody gets it!
Me in Europe: From Athens. Nobody gets it. Then I try, Ateny, Athenas, Athenes, Aten and so on. Still nobody gets it. Then I play my last card (after they played with my last nerve). You know Acropolis? After a MILE-long pondering time, this time, they all get it! Oh, how nice! Lol! And we all smile and...move on! hahaha! Great one, my Smillew! ❤️
Hahaha crazy!! I love Greece 🤩
Hey! Now I am going to womansplain an article back at you… what your European husband doesn’t understand! Ha! (I am an American living in Europe and I terrify the French daily with my horsetooth half insane Amerogrin.
Please do!! I'm looking forward to it :D
Where are you? Would you consider it culturally close to France?
Poland 🇵🇱
I would say we have common roots, but I’m not sure how the countries compare today
Interesting… I have a Polish friend here and she feels more culturally close to me than the French typically do. Is that because we are foreigners? This is going to mess up my essay. I will throw some Euro stuff your way soon and you can tell me if it jives.
She must really love you. My grandparents were from Poland. They were in the US over 60 years and barely spoke English. I can't begin to imagine trying to cope in a country where the language is so different from mine. My maiden name starts with a letter that doesn't exist in English.
Yeah. I mean, unless their, like, stupid and stuff.
Hollywood movies also taught me how to get away with small crimes.
The 32-tooth smile is okay, intrusive questions like, "Hey, how are you doing?" are not.
The American smile IS predatory. We're all looking to sell you something. I completely understand the language thing, but then, I'm old and read a lot. I once tried to operate a washing machine in Switzerland. The instructions were in four different languages, none of which was English. That was a reality check.
Really enjoyed this one!
Did you explain it to her, or does she still not understand
Well, she’s American.