Renzatic on 5/6/2017 at 17:58
Quote Posted by Kolya
:D That's actually one of the few things I never hear anyone complain about.
But they still do, just because German is one of those languages that's just fun to shout in. It's all right angles, lends itself well to the loud.
Quote Posted by Briareos H
I would argue that us frogs ain't too bad at complaining all the time as well.
The French, on the other hand, have the totally opposite problem. To a foreign ear, it's nigh impossible to sound angry in French. At worst, it comes off as someone being moderately indignant about something.
"Donc, j'ai vu cette moufette mort sur la route l'autre jour..."
"Wow. They must be talking about, like, the philosophical vagaries of romantic literature or something, I bet."
Purgator on 5/6/2017 at 18:09
Refusing a cup o' tea from the lady of the house is a no no in Ireland.
Nothing good will come of it.
[video=youtube;N20wHvMPTGs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N20wHvMPTGs[/video]
Volitions Advocate on 5/6/2017 at 18:38
To add one more thing to the Canada guide.
Do not ask anybody if they know so-and-so from Toronto. I live nearly 4000 km from Toronto, you can fit most of Europe between me and Toronto.
Most Canadians feel this way, even if they live in Windsor.
Kolya on 5/6/2017 at 20:15
Quote Posted by Renzatic
But they still do, just because German is one of those languages that's just fun to shout in. It's all right angles, lends itself well to the loud.
I understand that this is a common perception. But you see, I whisper loving things to my wife in German before falling asleep. SCHLÄFST DU SCHON ODER WILLST DU NOCH EIN BIER? There're no right angles in it, just pure sweetness. But I can live with a small benign stereotype.
Renzatic on 5/6/2017 at 20:36
Admittedly, when you hear someone who speaks it natively, German has an almost bubbly quality to it. But still, yeah, schläfst is a pretty angular word.
But don't feel bad. At least German has internal consistency. Unlike English, which is just, you know, whatever. That that exists exists in that that that that exists exists in.
Starker on 5/6/2017 at 20:38
[video=youtube;-gwXJsWHupg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gwXJsWHupg[/video]
Renzatic on 5/6/2017 at 20:55
Mong. Mong. Borley.
hopper on 6/6/2017 at 20:20
Zwischen oder und und und und und und und und und oder ist immer ein Leerzeichen.
(Between or and and and and and and and and and or there's always a space character.)
sharonbn on 7/6/2017 at 09:01
I know us Israelis are perceived by westerners as loud, direct (ok, rude), opinionated and have little regard for privacy.
This is more evident in business communications. I personally viewed funny incidents between Israelis and other nationalities during my professional career.
We are always right, the opposition is always wrong. Learn to accept that.
We like to view ourselves as passionate, warm people.
I think these traits are common among mediterraneans and of course all over the mideast.
We also like to haggle.
Accordingly, there is little in the way of code of behavior we find offensive.
The average Israeli can speak passable to good English (we start learning it on 1st grade)
If you strike a conversation with a local I would advise staying away from politics or religion. These are delicate subjects and will immediately escalate into heated debate.
not so with personal finance or marital/family matters (or any other personal subjects)
Renzatic on 7/6/2017 at 17:43
Quote Posted by sharonbn
If you strike a conversation with a local I would advise staying away from politics or religion. These are delicate subjects and will immediately escalate into heated debate.
I think this is something of a universal standard these days.
