Just a question really, as a whole you tend to find Brits as you see them. Tend not to exaggerate what they are not. But Ameicans do. They say they work in Finance, when infact they work as a teller. They talk in broadest terms rather than fact.
Yes. I tend to tell people "I enjoy a glass of wine" rather than "I drink like a fish"
Yes. I tend to tell people "I enjoy a glass of wine" rather than "I drink like a fish"
I too say I enjoy a bottle of wine, just forget to say a night :mrgreen:
WYSIWYG. wink lol
Given up wine, bloody Californians, they put an extra tablespoon of sugar into every dry wine for the Californian taste, I'm limited to French wine, not always available, back to the G & pellegrino with bitters or lime, or the old liquid sugar, Canadian whisky to colour the water.
I like bubbles. lol
Oh and yes Goose, Americans do have names for their occupations that have little to do with what they actually do. Always on the make.
Mind I used to hate that question at home and don't much like it here, people say to you, "What do you do?" Meaning how much money do you make, where should I place you socially, myself I've always deferred saying i don't know them well enough to divulge such info, or don't be so bloody rude, what I do to make money is my business, if I'm socialising with someone, and they become a friend I might tell them, if I'm working with them they already know, anybody else can go f*ck themselves, I think it's the rudest question in the world to open with, what they're saying basically is , " How much money do you make, are you worth my effort?" and my answer is invariably, NO, I wouldn't spit on you if you were on fire, though I might call a fire department if my cell phone was holding it's charge.
people say to you, "What do you do?"
I tell them I rob rich people's houses and deal coke as a sideline.
Ah, a popular man, what happens in Las Vegas, snorts in Las Vegas lol lol lol lol
people say to you, "What do you do?"
I tell them I rob rich people's houses and deal coke as a sideline.
What you mean you leave out the pimping ??? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
totally agree, people here tend to be so disconnected from reality sometimes its just so funny. I often get asked where I'm from and then they tell me that they're from Italy, or Germany or Ireland so I say what part and they say "Oh not me personally, my great grandparents"
the money thing is weird too, never had much to do with it and the way it gets thrown about as a way of showing status too is pretty grotesque.
I usually state my occupation as Timewaster/Musician or General Layabout.
One of the things I noticed about the "show and tell" culture of america, is that unlike here (jolly old england) when we have someone over for a cuppa or a social aspect, they are shown to the lounge/dining room or main entertainment area - and that's that - they get shown the whereabouts of the toilet if needed. However there, the norm is to be taken on a tour of the entire estate, and given the rundown on how much, where and why everything was accumulated. Used to drive me to distraction!!! mad
It's true, you are always treated to the grand tour - which I find a little odd. However, I think it is more of a "me casa, su casa" kind of thing since I've been shown around non-too impressive houses with equal enthusaism.
I don't think you can generalize. One of the things I have noticed is that I gravitate towards authentic people. My working class roots probably help me identify fakeness from a mile away.
And this is what makes me know I have made true friends. When they come for coffeee, I tell them "blinkers on until you get to the kitchen" and they do ) bless 'em.
people say to you, "What do you do?"
I tell them I rob rich people's houses and deal coke as a sideline.
If it was good enough for Robin Hood then it's good enough for me :wink:
(americans can identify with Robin Hood :wink: )
I'm strictly a Pepsi man myself
All those bubbles up your nose.......:wink:
You can't generalise, but yes, often times you'll meet people who will love to talk about themeselves and their job. Don't see too much of the money obsession, but I think that's just because of the people I hang around with.
Also, I find I can 'click' far more easily with non-Americans. I'll meet French, Spanish and even Africans and seem to have more in common with them in terms of humour, politics and attitudes. The Americans are oftentimes the most foreign people I've ever met!
The American culture still has that "live to work" attitude, and individuals will tend to identify themselves by what they do for a living. Their career is much a part of their lives as anything else.
So when someone asks "What do you do?", they are not trying to gauge your income (except maybe the odd girl on a date), but are genuinely taking an interest - they want to know something about you and this seems to be the most obvious thing to ask.
If you don't want to share you career, then pick something else that you like to 'do'. Like "Oh, I like to play soccer, drink beer, travel - and when I can fit it in, I go to work"
I'm finding the opposite here now. I've found that I relate easier to non-British people. The people I meet outside of work are almost all non-British - 2 Aussies (thought they're moving to Aberdeen in a week or so), a South African, A Zimbabwean and 4 Americans. In work we gravitated together and seemed to have more in common. I don't feel British at all anymore. I don't relate to the pervasive attitude that life is crap and the government should do something about it. Many people I work with tend to identify themselves by what kind of drugs they take or how utterly trashed they can get on a weekend. Nobody I've met shows off their house as a confirmation of status. Instead they show of things they've bought - gadgets like Ipods, mini DVD players, Nintendo Wiis - that sort of thing. It's all about ne clothes, new haircuts, and quoting the hottest new tv shows and songs.
I love being back, but some days, I just want to get on the plane.....