"It is hard to be outgoing when you don't speak the language."It is like that in the US. Big area, lots of cultures, some pieces are common, much is local and some people are just different. Then there are generational differences, career and professional differences, gender and political/philosophical and economic differences. All of these things can affect how people greet one another in different circumstances. It is good to get European participation on this forum. It is hard to be outgoing when you don't speak the language.
- Will (Dragonfly)
Jeepers. Well said, my friend. Well said. It’s amazing how distant even dock neighbors can be. And we not only speak the same language but we all speak boat!"It is hard to be outgoing when you don't speak the language."
I'm sorry Will, I could not disagree more!
I've been really very fortunate to have spent a huge portion of my life living and working around the planet, and not once has a lack of language stood in the way.
An extended hand, a wave, a smile, heck on more than many an occasion an extended hand with a cold beer in it!
There is always a way to break a geographical/language/social/demographic barrier.
You just have to want to! And in the case of me traveling and sailors visiting foreign ports, the onus is on YOU,not them to make the effort.
Many, too many , times whilst in far flung places, I would see groups of Americans, complaining that the "locals" were rude or unwelcoming, what the hell do you expect?
You get off the bus , 50 strong and descend as a swarm, making no effort to embrace.
And to be fair, I've seen from Italians and Germans also, and pretty much every where else in between.
Make the effort to get uncomfortable whilst being respectful, goes a long way I'll tell you.
I agree with you completely about everything you said after this statement. My statement wasn't that it wasn't possible, only that maybe the reasons Europeans don't greet as easily as Americans was a sense of language barrier. I have traveled a lot and never felt unwelcome or snubbed. The French have a reputation for rudeness which extends to the French Canadians an hour away from where I live, but I have not found that to be the case. Ecuador, Mexico, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, French Canada, are all places I've been where the local language isn't English and I have felt warmly welcome by all. I have traveled to a few English speaking countries and had no better or worse experiences. I agree, it is on 'you' to make that connection. There are, however, cultural differences and knowing, or believing you can't speak a common language can contribute significantly to the reluctance to try.I'm sorry Will, I could not disagree more!
That may be true but not exclusively. The problem is parents not teaching ANY manners. Don’t get me started. If you want a rant I’ve got your rant right here, buddy. Seriously, don’t get me started!!!!It is a class thing...The upper classes are apparently taught to be rude.
Or you will get us all started.Don’t get me started!!!!!!!!!
I know *exactly* what’s wrong with parents today. But I won’t get started. I don’t want to get put in *time out.* Sheesh.What's the matter with parents today?
I'm sorry Kermie, I don't think the World would see you as one of their "precious little babies". There is still that long standing cultural prejudice against green people.No wait. In the world today I wouldn’t get put in timeout. You know what would happen to me? Do you? Do you? Exactly NOTHING would happen to me. Because I might get my little feelings hurt and pout. Or maybe even cry. We certainly don’t want our precious little babies to pout. Or cry.
Of the six boating magazines I get, GOB is by far my favorite. Please feel free to throw any free magazines on my boat starting with Penthouse.If I knew you were going to be handing out free copies I wouldn't have spent my money on a subscription. I too am a fan of GOB.
Your feelings are completely understandable. Pride enough to fly but not proud enough to keep in good repair? Don't insult the rest of us by leaving up a rag. Mostly I just shake my head and think that guy is confused about what that symbol means.The thing that bothers me most is seeing dirty, shredding, US flags drooping from people's spreaders. Why don't they take 'em down?
And we certainly wouldn't want someone to call child protective services, so we'd best not make our babies pout or god forbid cry.No wait. In the world today I wouldn’t get put in timeout. You know what would happen to me? Do you? Do you? Exactly NOTHING would happen to me. Because I might get my little feelings hurt and pout. Or maybe even cry. We certainly don’t want our precious little babies to pout. Or cry.
A mom with a young son was ahead of me in Aldi today. The poor kid was crying. But I must applaud her for letting him cry instead of giving in to what he wanted. Sure, I didn’t enjoy hearing him cry but I say good for her.And we certainly wouldn't want someone to call child protective services, so we'd best not make our babies pout or god forbid cry.
My apologies for taking that one statement out of the context it was presented in.I agree with you completely about everything you said after this statement. My statement wasn't that it wasn't possible, only that maybe the reasons Europeans don't greet as easily as Americans was a sense of language barrier. I have traveled a lot and never felt unwelcome or snubbed. The French have a reputation for rudeness which extends to the French Canadians an hour away from where I live, but I have not found that to be the case. Ecuador, Mexico, Saint Martin, Puerto Rico, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, French Canada, are all places I've been where the local language isn't English and I have felt warmly welcome by all. I have traveled to a few English speaking countries and had no better or worse experiences. I agree, it is on 'you' to make that connection. There are, however, cultural differences and knowing, or believing you can't speak a common language can contribute significantly to the reluctance to try.
I went to a hardware store in the Azores to buy a hose nozzle to wash the boat with. We had no idea how to ask for one in Portuguese. The patient cashier handed me a pencil and paper when I mimed writing and I drew a picture of what I wanted. Big smile and guided right to the shelf where they were. Actions speak the loudest when words are not understood. I would say "actions speak the loudest" but watching politics has taught me that words speak louder than deeds .
It is always good to hear from a well traveled person. My perspective on things has certainly been enhanced by my experiences abroad. Once in a while, I am surprised by how I am seen as an American, but I have never been insulted, assaulted nor unwelcome.
-Will (Dragonfly)
What would bother me more than that is why they are flying a US flag from the spreaders in the first place.... unless it's a courtesy flag from a foreign boat.. the US ensign belongs at the stern or backstay.The thing that bothers me most is seeing dirty, shredding, US flags drooping from people's spreaders. Why don't they take 'em down?
I flew mine that way with the utmost respect and honor for our country and the flag. Then y’all explained to me the err of my ways. I now fly it from the stern rail.What would bother me more than that is why they are flying a US flag from the spreaders in the first place.... unless it's a courtesy flag from a foreign boat.. the US ensign belongs at the stern or backstay.