On the subject of Americans
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*American* ;P I attempt to haggle over as much as i possibly can.(with the exception of established businesses and set in stone prices) Haggling has got to be one of the most useful skills in the universes. Think about it, you can really save money. That all does remind me of The Life of Brian. I have never said gonna or shoulda don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they?
Mathew Lowery wrote: don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they? When I figure that out I am going to retire ;) "Anyone can die, it is how you live that counts." Paul Watson 16 Oct 2002
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On my holiday to the New Forest last week I met American tourists twice. The first was in a pretty little market town trying to haggle the price of *everything*, from a set of plates in a British Heart Foundation charity shop down by eighteen pounds ("they're not Staffordshire ya know and it's Staffordshire that're the big name over here in the U-Kay"), through to a bunch of flowers on the market. The second was at a place called Monkey World - a world renowned monkey centre. This time there was a fat American kid walking past me as I was watching a Chimpanze play with it's penis and finger it's arse concurently (that was a hilarious sight to see, it really was... pure postcard material!) - this boy said, and I swear I have not changed a word: "why are there only monkeys at Monkey World? I 'wanna' pizza." I think I may have offended his parents as I passed comment to my dad along the lines of him seeming to mistake Monkey World for Pizza Hut. They were not impressed. Damn these imported yanks are hilarious. I'm thinking of starting a farm... I could loan them out to local clubs and bars for comedy nights! :-D
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: I met American tourists twice. In defense of my nations honor I could make the observation: You only noticed them (selectively) twice. The rest of the lot did not draw attention. OR To be allow to travel to the UK you have to go through special conditioning and this is the result. After a few week you return to normal:) Take care. I could also relate this to driving habits. Just entering the city limits causes people over here to become maniacs when a few mintes before in a rural area they were calm decent people. "Anyone can die, it is how you live that counts." Paul Watson 16 Oct 2002
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On my holiday to the New Forest last week I met American tourists twice. The first was in a pretty little market town trying to haggle the price of *everything*, from a set of plates in a British Heart Foundation charity shop down by eighteen pounds ("they're not Staffordshire ya know and it's Staffordshire that're the big name over here in the U-Kay"), through to a bunch of flowers on the market. The second was at a place called Monkey World - a world renowned monkey centre. This time there was a fat American kid walking past me as I was watching a Chimpanze play with it's penis and finger it's arse concurently (that was a hilarious sight to see, it really was... pure postcard material!) - this boy said, and I swear I have not changed a word: "why are there only monkeys at Monkey World? I 'wanna' pizza." I think I may have offended his parents as I passed comment to my dad along the lines of him seeming to mistake Monkey World for Pizza Hut. They were not impressed. Damn these imported yanks are hilarious. I'm thinking of starting a farm... I could loan them out to local clubs and bars for comedy nights! :-D
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
The thing is most people change their view on things when they leave their hometown, especially on vacation. That's part of the fun of traveling. You get to not give a shit about things that probably didn't matter in the first place. Often with some people (generally those who are more uptight at home), a certain undesirable quality of superiority comes to the front. A very proud and self-righteous tone "ha-rumph, ahem, Yes, well... I'm on vacation. And you whom I grace with my monies, must pay homage to me. I care not if I offend, it is my right to, nay my duty to. Now boy, quit ogling that monkey's penis, and fetch my son a pizza. " Thats my theory on why away = asshole; home = pleasant. BW The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding. - Jack Kerouac
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Mathew Lowery wrote: don't know where all these stupid Americans get the money to travel. Where do they? When I figure that out I am going to retire ;) "Anyone can die, it is how you live that counts." Paul Watson 16 Oct 2002
Michael A. Barnhart wrote: When I figure that out I am going to retire Think i would do the same.:-D
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Mike Mullikin wrote: How do you know they were American as opposed to Canadian? Accents can be nearly identical you know. Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Mike Mullikin wrote: I can see where his confusion arose. Most zoos in the US also offer food and beverages at restaurants or snack shops. Sadly I couldn't add the verbal emphasis to my textual interpretation of what he said, but suffice to say that is not how it sounded at all. It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. :-D Mike Mullikin wrote: They probably frequent Mexico on their vacations. When shopping in Mexico (and many other places) it is customary to negotiate prices rather than accept the advertised price In a charity shop?! Still, I expect it was a shock to find our prices are about 2:1 what they would pay at home and they assumed they must be open to haggling.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. Now that would be something to see - kinda makes your monkey penis/anus story old-hat. ;P
Mike Mullikin :beer: You can't really dust for vomit. Nigel Tufnel - Spinal Tap
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David Wulff wrote: We used to just ship them off to the South Pacific but apparently we aren't allowed to do that anymore Speaking of England deporting it's miscreants and unwanted chattel to Australia, I just found out that Brisbane was set up as a penal colony for those already in Australia who had been bad. So - if you're bad you get sent to Australia. If you're *really* bad you go to Brisbane. What a life! For those unfamiliar with Brisbane: Brissy is one of the nicest, warmest, friendliest places in Australia and has quick access to some stunning beaches. cheers, Chris Maunder
Chris Maunder wrote: So - if you're bad you get sent to Australia. If you're *really* bad you go to Brisbane. Maybe if Blair wins 100% of the vote in the next UK election he'll declare an amnesty and you can all finally go home. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Mike Mullikin :beer: You can't really dust for vomit. Nigel Tufnel - Spinal Tap
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The thing is most people change their view on things when they leave their hometown, especially on vacation. That's part of the fun of traveling. You get to not give a shit about things that probably didn't matter in the first place. Often with some people (generally those who are more uptight at home), a certain undesirable quality of superiority comes to the front. A very proud and self-righteous tone "ha-rumph, ahem, Yes, well... I'm on vacation. And you whom I grace with my monies, must pay homage to me. I care not if I offend, it is my right to, nay my duty to. Now boy, quit ogling that monkey's penis, and fetch my son a pizza. " Thats my theory on why away = asshole; home = pleasant. BW The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to talk, mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding. - Jack Kerouac
Think i might have to agree on that one.
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Think i might have to agree on that one.
Me too... Americans are so uptight. :laugh: :rolleyes:
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
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Mike Mullikin wrote: How do you know they were American as opposed to Canadian? Accents can be nearly identical you know. Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Mike Mullikin wrote: I can see where his confusion arose. Most zoos in the US also offer food and beverages at restaurants or snack shops. Sadly I couldn't add the verbal emphasis to my textual interpretation of what he said, but suffice to say that is not how it sounded at all. It came across as if he was expecting to see groups of chimps herding a flock of free-range tomato and peperonni pizzas. :-D Mike Mullikin wrote: They probably frequent Mexico on their vacations. When shopping in Mexico (and many other places) it is customary to negotiate prices rather than accept the advertised price In a charity shop?! Still, I expect it was a shock to find our prices are about 2:1 what they would pay at home and they assumed they must be open to haggling.
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Definitely. On the light (far?) side I once watched an American bragging about that most amazing US invented warplane...(get this) the Harrier. :omg: It was a real shame he chose to do it to a Canadian and a bunch of Brits in a Youth Hostel in Dublin wasn't it? :laugh: Anna :rose: "Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia Graesch -
Megan Forbes wrote: So why do people behave better at home than when away? Perhaps everyone just needs to let our hair down sometimes, even if it does strain international relations. It is true to say that most Brits are also embarrassing to be around when you see them abroad... then again a good percentage of Brits are embarrassing to be around when they're at home too, so it's not so disturbing a contrast :-D Paul Why don't you take a good look at yourself and describe what you see - Led Zeppelin, Misty Mountain Hop
Gawd.. took a vacation to Spain and had to sit on the seat next to a gentleman wearing a loud hawaiian shirt, black wig, handlebar moustache, purple lycra all-in-on with socks stuffed down his crotch. God only knows how he managed to get through immigration in Alicante airport. I am ashamed to be a brit sometimes. www.beachwizard.com/travelogue[^] "I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered" George Best.
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Chris Maunder wrote: American Tourist != Average American Of course - these loud obnoxious ones have taken the first step to becoming good world citizens by aknowledging there is life outside the US of A. :rolleyes: Chris Maunder wrote: though you can probably add "a lot more drunk" to the mix in that case as well Lol. I can remember seeing a flier for an "Austrialian Survival Kit" the other day -- it consisted of a bottle opener and a bottle of Fosters. :) Chris Maunder wrote: I've also done my fair share of apologising for Australian Tourists each time I come across a poor local who has met "my kind" before. Whenever anyone goes on holiday they take on the role of being the obnoxious one - that's half the fun of taking a holiday. ;P It is like in the good old days when we English would sail over to France in the dead of night and plunder all their riches before legging back to England and selling it back to them, before returning and pinching them again. :laugh: Chris Maunder wrote: In a similar vein I think any country that has ever hosted a European soccer game would probably not have warm feeling about certain Englishman. Add England to that list too! We used to just ship them off to the South Pacific but apparently we aren't allowed to do that anymore. ;) Chris Maunder wrote: haggling is a very common practice in most of the world. Come over to the land of the biggie size everything and you'll find that sticker prices and actual prices have absolutely nothing in common. It's really disturbing. That doesn't make it any less entertaining to watch in an environment that doesn't know of such concepts. :) Chris Maunder wrote: Did you have a camera and if not, why not? If you are talking about the "happy chimp" then no I didn't, but there were plenty of people that did so I don't suppose it will be too long before pictures emerge on the net. If you are talking about the tourists, then just go to http://www.loudamericans.com[^]... :-D
David Wulff wrote: Lol. I can remember seeing a flier for an "Austrialian Survival Kit" the other day -- it consisted of a bottle opener and a bottle of Fosters. I get the distinct impression that Fosters to the Aussies is the direct equivalent of Kendal Mint Cake to the Brits...i.e. only for use in extreme emergency when all alternatives have run out. :laugh: Personally, I'd rather Drink The Dog than Fosters (and that's saying something). :eek: (We've an Aussie Preoject Manager, and frequently bait him by offering to buy him a crate of Fosters) Anna :rose: "Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia Graesch -
David Wulff wrote: Oh they were certainly American. To a non American and a non Canadian there is a *huge* difference in the accents, and they had a very distinictly western one. Definitely. On the light (far?) side I once watched an American bragging about that most amazing US invented warplane...(get this) the Harrier. :omg: It was a real shame he chose to do it to a Canadian and a bunch of Brits in a Youth Hostel in Dublin wasn't it? :laugh: Anna :rose: "Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia GraeschAnna :) wrote: I once watched an American bragging about that most amazing US invented warplane...(get this) the Harrier. You'd be surprised how common that view is, even amonsgt British people. It's a sad day indeed when people forget their heritage, no matter how trivial it may seem. On a different tangent, do the Americans even use Harriers? I was under the impression that they were limited to Royal Navy carriers now. Or was that when they were first adopted? Damnit, now I am all confused! David calling all plane geeks - help me here. :)
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
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Anna :) wrote: I once watched an American bragging about that most amazing US invented warplane...(get this) the Harrier. You'd be surprised how common that view is, even amonsgt British people. It's a sad day indeed when people forget their heritage, no matter how trivial it may seem. On a different tangent, do the Americans even use Harriers? I was under the impression that they were limited to Royal Navy carriers now. Or was that when they were first adopted? Damnit, now I am all confused! David calling all plane geeks - help me here. :)
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
An orgy in Tiverton... ({) `/\^^/\:p (Z) :$/\^^/\` (})
David Wulff wrote: On a different tangent, do the Americans even use Harriers? I believe our Marines still use them sparingly. We (US defense contractors) are currently developing a new VTOL for them.
Mike Mullikin :beer: You can't really dust for vomit. Nigel Tufnel - Spinal Tap
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I'm American and I hate stupid American tourists..even in the US!! I was in Paris last summer waiting to get into Notre Dame and this stupid American woman was talking about how she didnt know what food to get for the kids so they just ate at McDonalds. McDonalds!! sigh. I seriously wanted to just beat her up and steal her purse... I felt that way almost the entire time in Paris..so many stupid Americans..blah. Trust me, most Americans arent assholes!! -dork
dorkshoe wrote: waiting to get into Notre Dame Just to continue the general abuse, that's pronounced "Notra Darm", not "Noter Dayme"! ;P :-D
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Paul Riley wrote: Every American I've ever met in the US is polite, considerate, almost overwhelmingly nice; every American I've met anywhere else in the world is loud, brash and obnoxious. This is curiously true, but when I try to tell people who have never been to the US this, they don't seem to believe me. Ignorance on their part perhaps. Unfortunately this behaviour is not purely an American trait- perhaps their downfall is that they speak English so we understand what they are saying. I have been ashamed of other South African's on the London tubes on more than one occasion. They seem to think that just because they speak Afrikaans they can diss the English at the top of their voices. What they fail to realise is that many English speak Dutch and German and therefore have some understanding of what is being said. So why do people behave better at home than when away? Perhaps everyone just needs to let our hair down sometimes, even if it does strain international relations.
Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator. - Marc Clifton
Megan Forbes wrote: So why do people behave better at home than when away? Perhaps everyone just needs to let our hair down sometimes, even if it does strain international relations. Psychologically speaking it's very simple. These people "act out" due to insecurity and immaturity. They feel overwhelmed by a foreign place with foreign people and act aggressively in an attempt to illustrate that they are not intimidated. Of course, what they're actually doing is the reverse. Cheers, Tom Archer Author - Inside C#, Visual C++.NET Bible
