from a foreigners perspective :-)

[davidmurphy]

Are you going to tell Ian Paisley he's not British ...

No but I'll happily tell him he's not Irish!

My cousin Fergus, who lives round the corner from me - has a very distinctive Irish accent and he is definitely British!!

I assume he's Northern Irish or else in a severe minority.

Just to clarify for our international TB'ers, Northern Ireland isn't a region in Ireland, it's a seperate country, different government, borders, laws, the lot.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

No but I'll happily tell him he's not Irish!

So why were you complaining - are you saying he doesn't have an Irish accent.... ?

Just to clarify for our international TB'ers, Northern Ireland isn't a region in Ireland, it's a seperate country, different government, borders, laws, the lot.

But is it British..... ?

 

[bmc]

Q: Why was the Irish currency referred to as "The Punt"?

A: Because it rhymed with bank manager.

 

[velvetkevorkian]

 

[Vorago]

Hehehehe

 

[SnoMan]

Pretty common around here. We have a concealed weapons law that allows people to apply for a permit to legally carry. I am waiting on my background check to clear for my own conceal and carry permit. You shouldn't ever be aware that someone around you is carrying a concealed weapon. That's why they are called "concealed". If they are exposing it, the gun owner can be charged with fun stuff like brandishing a firearm.

The two statement I bolded make me wonder....

We have concealed carry laws here too. I have to get one as I'm considering changing jobs to driving a bank truck.

We have a brandishing law, but it works on the definition of Brandishing something. You can carry a weapon, but it's basically it's brandishing if your making any hostile motion with it. I imagine it's mainly a law for hunters' benefit.

 

[SnoMan]

I´ve met and talked to alot of americans - in person and on the phone. You always say this "how are you today?" thing, and even though it doesn´t mean that much, it´s nice. All my friends who has lived in the states says the same: You are generally more "interested" in talking to strangers, even though a lot of it is of course just phrases.

Us norwegians are usually harder to get in touch with, but once we open up we ....

I'm comin' Over!

We consider a lot of those types of things here as "social obligation."

I HATE it.

I work in an office, so I deal with "how are you" countless times a day. It drives me nuts.

I've taken to replying with a psuedo radio voice "FanTASTIC!" or something strange like that.

Bleh.

 

[Bard2dbone]

I answer in my most deadpan voice: "I'm just bubbling with enthusiasm."

 

[davidmurphy]

So why were you complaining - are you saying he doesn't have an Irish accent.... ?

Yes. I'd say he has a Northern Irish accent.
I'm not being overly sensitive or anything & it's probably only cos I live in Ireland that I'm used to the distinction being made between Northern Ireland & Ireland.

But is it British..... ?

Yes. Northern Ireland is British. Ireland isn't.
Northern Irish accents are British accents.
Irish accents aren't.

It's a small distinction, I know, but indulge my nationalist streak. It doesn't come out very often!

 

[txbasschik]

Funny thread.

I haven´t been to the states yet, but I have made some observartions nevertheless.

-Politeness: Americans are in general way more polite then us Norwegians.

-Serviceminded: Dealing with american stores is always a pleasure, compared to Norwegian. The customer service is more eager to help you out, and usually very friendly.

-Guns: In the USA it´s common to have your own gun! Lots of people even "wear" it all the time - when they go to the grocery store and such. In Norway not even the police are allowed to carry guns (This is a very touchy subject, so let´s not turn it into a debate. I´m just stating the differences, allright?)

-Taxes: About half of our income goes into taxes right away. Besides from that we have taxes on all goods. But, you got to love those public services...

It seems like we have got lots in common with the Swizz, but we have probably come a little further in the americanization in Norway. (I don´t mind that, though...)

Well, its nice to hear we're still polite. Many people here feel that the level of common courtesy in the US has declined (myself among them). Its refreshing to hear from someone who feels like we still possess our manners!

Cherie