[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Just in case any of you out there don't know this, most of that post is a > lie, if not all of it.
It was all a joke, beginning to end. It's similar to some of the jokes for visitors to New York and probably every place has a version of it; it's one of those classic "who's in and who's out" type jokes. I'm sure glad I didn't read it before visiting England. Some of that incorrect info would probably have stuck with me, and I'd wonder why all the Brits were giving me odd looks and/or laughing their heads off. Sounds like you had a miserable five years there, Abbymusique. That's really too bad; that's such a long time. I lived in England for five years, and I beg to > differ on most points (granted, this may be a joke on purpose, in which case, > very funny). First of all, the British are the least demonstrative people > I've ever met in my life, and rarely if ever display affection in public. It makes me a little itchy to be describing a huge group of people as all behaving the same way, but I'll do it anyway. I'd say, in general, the traditional British culture prizes politeness and reserve. The upside is that people are very charming, friendly and articulate (especially the Joni folks; not only that, but there were plenty of huggers in that group); the downside is that it's hard to get to know anyone deeply if they're keeping their inner life hidden the way they've been taught to do. Isn't that the theme of most English movies? I'm picturing Anthony Hopkins with a pained look on his face because he can't let go enough to tell a woman how he feels about her. Can't remember the movie's name now... no, it's not the cannibal movie. What's fascinating to me is how people in that culture get around the strait jacket of reserve with their sly humor and downright bawdiness that's just under the surface. It's much different than the American way of communicating, which, in general, is upfront and earnest, as in what you say is what it is. No hidden meanings to work out. > Now go to France, and that's a different story. Yep, every culture has its generally accepted ways of behaving. Here, it's considered odd if a person is too reserved and not telling details about their private life easily to everyone. That bothers most people here. Also, riding on the river > Cam is called punting, not cottaging, Cottaging must have some sexual connotation, since most of the terms used in the joke did. Any Brit care to tell us what "cottaging" means? and it is not very relaxing at all if > you hire your own boat, for you have to navigate it yourself, and that Mazola > crap? That must be a joke. Absolutely, which gives me a clue about what cottaging might be. > Like I said, if that post was meant to be LOL funny, it was, but for some who > have not traveled abroad, don't believe a word of it. Yeah, check out a British to American dictionary before going (or go with a trusted British friend), and then have a great time. Debra Shea
