Welcome wagon August 11, 2010 Tricia Hey folks, There are posts in the pipeline, I swear. But until they come, Visit Britain would like you to know: “A smiling Japanese person is not necessarily happy.“
I love the handwave past Australian racism. Just for the record, a reasonable person here is not supposed to find the N word (I believe we all know what that word is) offensive. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/judge-rules-n-word-not-offensive/story-e6frea8c-1225903563377 I proudly stand as an unreasonable Australian.
Wait, different cultures have different ways of expressing themselves through different gestures, phrasing and facial expressions? I had no idea! Thanks, Visit Britain!
“When meeting Mexicans it is best not to discuss poverty, illegal aliens, earthquakes or their 1845-6 war with America.” And then there is this: “Avoid discussing … linguistic and political divisions within Belgium between Dutch and French speakers.” They speak Flemish, not Dutch.
“Arabs are not used to being told what to do” “When meeting Mexicans it is best not to discuss poverty, illegal aliens, earthquakes or their 1845-6 war with America” “They (Indians) usually appreciate orderliness when they see it” Okay.
Brilliant post! Made me giggle. I have to point out to a comment made above that Flemish isn’t a language, it refers to the Dutch-speaking population in Belgium – although since according to the guide you can’t talk to Belgians about it it’s understandable they haven’t mentioned it to anyone! Gotta say though, most UK people I know obviously haven’t read it, I get asked almost daily if I’m from “EITHER Canada or the US”, like they’re interchangeable or something!!
Bonn: Well … it’s true.Honne and tatemae and all. HA! This quote from Futurama sums it up nicely: Leela: But you never wore a ring, I didn’t know you had a wife. Ipgee: And my wife doesn’t know I have a job, I keep my personal and professional life separate.
When meeting Mexicans it is best not to discuss poverty, illegal aliens, earthquakes or their 1845-6 war with America. Weird, I’ve always broken the ice with folks I believe to be Mexican (unlike Canadians, they don’t wear signs) with, “Yeah, so how about that Mexican-American War? Fuckin’ Republic of Texas, amirite? BTW, are you illegal? I don’t want to get arrested for talking to you*.” Really, the weirdest part for me about these guides is how stupid they assume travelers are. If I were traveling outside the country, I would expect things to go a little bit different than they do at my home, and wouldn’t go around getting my underthings in a twist because someone did something that is considered impolite where I come from. Do Argentinians really expect everyone else to know all the Argentinian rules about pouring wine? *only applicable in Arizona