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Max'sKansasCity
What about unwritten rules we dont know about, like the dont talk to strangers thing in certain countires... how do people meet other people if that is really a rule?
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DoxaQuote
Max'sKansasCity
What about unwritten rules we dont know about, like the dont talk to strangers thing in certain countires... how do people meet other people if that is really a rule?
Hah, here is one coming from that culture... I wasn't to say anything, because I am not suppose to talk to strangers, but since I was asked....
And I can assure that it is not a myth - okay, kids today are so globalized and everything, and they might disagree, but I, born in the year when the crossfire hurricane hit the world, do recognize that behaviour in us Finns...
I guess it has something to do with shyness, being afraid of bothering other people, the ideal to maintain a low profile and not make a big mess of oneself, having low self-esteem or little ego, I don't know... A sum of all those I guess, but it's there...
How to get to know other people and have a social life? For that, and overcome the afraidness to talk to strangers, there is one and simple medicine: booze. And when we Finns get enough of that (= for the rest: too much), there is no way to stop us talking to strangers, do they want that or not... So it is no wonder we are rather hard drinkers here in Finland.... ><
Of course, that's not the whole truth, but among Finns there is not much - or at all - what one would call "small talk", so the way people communicate goes pretty much interpeting little signs, reading the circumstances, knowing when is appropriate to say something and when not. One Finn recognize the behavior of other Finn. And just by one right one word or look in right circumstances one can have a life-time friend or partner (or to have casual sex or whatever...). But still, alcohol helps...
But the point of not talking to strangers is not that of rudeness (even though it might look like that), but actually the opposite (respecting the privacy of the others). Odd cultural norms I know...
I could tell lots of jokes and odd stories of this behaviour of ours, but I guess I talked too much already... I hope this will do. Cheers!
- Doxa
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Elmo Lewis
In the rural American South:
1. Always ask "How's your mama and them"?
2. When someone dies, everyone in the community takes food to the family.
3. On a similar note, cars pull over for a funeral procession.
4. Never ask anyone what they paid for a car or truck.
5. College football is king. Season tickets are often fought over in divorce cases.
6. Courtesy is important - thank you, please, sir, maam, etc.
7. A blessing is always said before meals.
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BluzDudeQuote
gimmelittledrink
In DC, it is customary to show up for a party at least one hour late and to immediately tell the host, "I have to leave soon for another party."
in DC....and Hollywood!
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DandelionPowdermanQuote
vox12string
Down Under, if you're wearing sandals, you do NOT wear socks as well
Can you do that somewhere at all?
Trademark of the uncool Englishman abroad - but no, you'll get arrested by the fashion police everywhere for this. Maybe older ladies might get away with it?
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AquamarineQuote
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DandelionPowdermanQuote
vox12string
Down Under, if you're wearing sandals, you do NOT wear socks as well
Can you do that somewhere at all?
Trademark of the uncool Englishman abroad - but no, you'll get arrested by the fashion police everywhere for this. Maybe older ladies might get away with it?
I always thought this was true, until last spring/summer, when I noticed that all the football players at my uni, and other similarly large young men, were wearing Nike sandals (the kind you just slide on) with socks. Has there been a seismic shift while we weren't looking, sock-wise? I kept meaning to ask one of them about it.
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mr_djaQuote
AquamarineQuote
Green LadyQuote
DandelionPowdermanQuote
vox12string
Down Under, if you're wearing sandals, you do NOT wear socks as well
Can you do that somewhere at all?
Trademark of the uncool Englishman abroad - but no, you'll get arrested by the fashion police everywhere for this. Maybe older ladies might get away with it?
I always thought this was true, until last spring/summer, when I noticed that all the football players at my uni, and other similarly large young men, were wearing Nike sandals (the kind you just slide on) with socks. Has there been a seismic shift while we weren't looking, sock-wise? I kept meaning to ask one of them about it.
Now that you meantion it, I've noticed that at my childresn's high school as well. Normally after practices as opposed to games. I think I put that down to, they've taken off their custom shoes (cleats/spikes even basketball or trainers) and just slipped on sandals to leave the locker room without actually changing completely out of their practice/workout clothes (and socks).
Peace,
Mr DJA
Always bet on red and never hit a soft 17.Quote
BluzDude
Never bet on the NO PASS line when it's your turn to roll the dice
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mr_djaQuote
AquamarineQuote
Green LadyQuote
DandelionPowdermanQuote
vox12string
Down Under, if you're wearing sandals, you do NOT wear socks as well
Can you do that somewhere at all?
Trademark of the uncool Englishman abroad - but no, you'll get arrested by the fashion police everywhere for this. Maybe older ladies might get away with it?
I always thought this was true, until last spring/summer, when I noticed that all the football players at my uni, and other similarly large young men, were wearing Nike sandals (the kind you just slide on) with socks. Has there been a seismic shift while we weren't looking, sock-wise? I kept meaning to ask one of them about it.
Now that you meantion it, I've noticed that at my childresn's high school as well. Normally after practices as opposed to games. I think I put that down to, they've taken off their custom shoes (cleats/spikes even basketball or trainers) and just slipped on sandals to leave the locker room without actually changing completely out of their practice/workout clothes (and socks).
Peace,
Mr DJA
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DoxaQuote
Max'sKansasCity
What about unwritten rules we dont know about, like the dont talk to strangers thing in certain countires... how do people meet other people if that is really a rule?
How to get to know other people and have a social life? For that, and overcome the afraidness to talk to strangers, there is one and simple medicine: booze.
- Doxa
...fill her up with Ethel....Quote
latebloomer
One of my favorite funny things about Italy was all the waiters asking American tourists if they wanted their water "gas or no gas?" Well, er...no gas, of course.
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vox12string
Down Under, if you're wearing sandals, you do NOT wear socks as well
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jamesfdouglas
For Canadians abroad... don't go out in public without proof that you're Canadian. Being mistaken for American is NOT fun.
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The SicilianQuote
jamesfdouglas
For Canadians abroad... don't go out in public without proof that you're Canadian. Being mistaken for American is NOT fun.
But being protected by them is.
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The SicilianQuote
jamesfdouglas
For Canadians abroad... don't go out in public without proof that you're Canadian. Being mistaken for American is NOT fun.
But being protected by them is.
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latebloomer
One of my favorite funny things about Italy was all the waiters asking American tourists if they wanted their water "gas or no gas?" Well, er...no gas, of course.
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DandelionPowdermanQuote
latebloomer
One of my favorite funny things about Italy was all the waiters asking American tourists if they wanted their water "gas or no gas?" Well, er...no gas, of course.
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Title5Take1
Jerry said that when she was pregnant with Elizabeth, she went to some Lamaze-type classes that husbands were expected to attend. Mick said he wouldn't go because, "I'm too English."