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April 08, 2023
Doing America: Open, Talky, Informal, Wonderfully Appalling.
People will not wait to be introduced and will even begin to speak with strangers as they stand in a line, sit next to each other at an event, or gather in a crowd.
--Commisceo Global, a London-based consultancy on what to expect in America
One of my best Brit friends is a City (central London) lawyer who lives part of the time in Kent. He and his wife live in a very old village which is about the same population it was 1000 years ago: about 200. To a degree, and at only certain times, I like making him uncomfortable with my American colonial manners, and in some situations work at it pretty hard. In most respects, however, I do as my European hosts do wherever I am and wherever they take me. But there are exceptions. For one thing, I refuse to park my friendliness and open curiosity about people, places and things. I can't help it. Even when I am trying to tone things down.
Like the time I upset everyone by chatting up my Kent friend's butcher early one quiet Saturday morning while the butcher was cutting up something that we would prepare later for dinner. Just the three of us. No one else was in the store. It was quite tiny but had a prosperous look. The butcher was clearly proud of his shop. I started asking the butcher about the store, how business and even his hat, which I complimented him on. Which took me only about 30 seconds. The butcher looked a bit frantic, said nothing and turned to my friend for help or an explanation. The butcher got both. My friend quickly said something like "He's an American...very friendly you know...what are we to do?"
It's true. American manners drives Brits, Germans and most northern Europeans nuts: American informality, openness, curiosity non-stop cheerfulness and friendliness. Over on their side of the pond, even a very self-assured and accomplished southern England executive, consultant, lawyer or other professional, for example, would rather choke to death than talk to strangers in a subway or ask how to get to a bank or money exchange. But wide-open is what Americans are and have always been; if you want to do business in the U.S., you need to step up. Or at least tolerate us. When we Yanks are over there, you guys can complain and be mortified all you want. And you do.
There is no end to multi-cultural etiquette primers on "doing business internationally", and most of them are of course drivel. The best advice in a nutshell? Go where you need to go, and watch your American hosts carefully as you work--but do "go native". Be prepared to amp yourself up just a notch. The website of UK-based Commisceo Global Consultancy does a nice job of laying out the overall business atmosphere here in a few sentences:
American friendliness and informality is legendary. People will not wait to be introduced and will even begin to speak with strangers as they stand in a line, sit next to each other at an event, or gather in a crowd.
Americans are direct in the way they communicate. They value logic and linear thinking [note: not sure I agree with foregoing clause] and expect people to speak clearly and in a straightforward manner. Time is money in the U.S. so people tend to get to the point quickly and are annoyed by beating around the bush.
Communicating virtually (i.e. through email, SMS, Skype, etc) is very common with very little protocol or formality in the interaction. If you are from a culture that is more subtle in communication style, try not to be insulted by the directness.
Original WAC/P post February 21, 2015
Posted by JD Hull at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
Romain Rolland: On Creation.
There is no joy except in creation. There are no living beings but those who create. All the rest are shadows, hovering over the earth, strangers to life. All the joys of life are the joys of creation: love, genius, action.
--Romain Rolland (1866-1944) in "Lightning Strikes Christophe"
Posted by JD Hull at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)
April 07, 2023
Still working on Maggie's Farm?
"It's a shame the way she makes me sweep the floor..."
Posted by JD Hull at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
Hesse on Good Friday
If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn't part of ourselves doesn't disturb us.
— Hermann Hesse, Demian, 1919
Posted by JD Hull at 10:48 AM | Comments (0)
Easter Rising 1916: 107 years ago in Dublin.
460 killed, 2600 wounded, 16 executions. The proclamation was read by Patrick Pearse outside the General Post Office in Dublin on Sackville Street (since 1924 O'Connell Street)--and the Rising began. It was modeled on a similar if less well-supported proclamation by Robert Emmet in 1803.
However, as one of our readers, Patrick J. Keeley, has pointed out:
The proclamation in 1916 was an actual declaration of a Republic. Emmet is more known for his speech from the dock when he spoke of Ireland one day taking its place (free) among nations of Earth. I don't think he ever actually proclaimed a Republic, he lead what in effect was a mob, sadly inebriated down Thomas Street in 1803. A noble effort and a tragic end to what would surely have been a brilliant legal career.
Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at 12:39 AM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2023
This is East Anglia: Aldeburgh.
More precisely, it's in Suffolk, East Anglia, England, on the coast, and jutting out into the North Sea. Due east: The Netherlands, where lots of the DNA here originated over 1000 years ago. Pronounced "All-bruh". I've been here four times, starting in 2003. If you are in London, and you have an extra day, do something different and drive or take a train northeast to Aldeburgh, a Suffolk secret well-kept from Americans. The home and muse of the great Bertie Lomas, a much-loved and gifted poet, writer and editor who died at 87 in 2011. And if you are a beach lover--or a merely a lover on the beach--you and yours are hereby put on notice about the little round stones beneath you. You’re welcome, campers.
Posted by JD Hull at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)
Indian Hill
I miss growing up in Indian Hill, Ohio. A community that protected its own. If I were driving around at 17 and the local cops stopped me, this:
“Why it’s Dan Hull. John Hull’s eldest. Got any beer, dope or cocaine there in your Daddy’s car?”
“No, sir.”
“Would you like some?”
Posted by JD Hull at 11:07 AM | Comments (0)
Help send this boy to camp!
Posted by JD Hull at 05:05 AM | Comments (0)
April 03, 2023
4E Prayer
No one bears more responsibility for the current stark cultural and political divides in America and Europe than our once-respected mainstream and establishment media. You folks knew better. We looked up to you. You broke hearts. After the nobility and integrity of our early-television era, and before that the beginnings of the great newspapers, the once truly liberal Fourth Estate stopped leading. You began to celebrate fashion, mediocrity, mental illness and intolerance itself. You fanned the flames of Civil War II. You insisted on Human Evolution at your pace. You went too far. You bullied like a deranged big brother. Fix it if you can. Lead again.
Posted by JD Hull at 07:17 AM | Comments (0)
Born Outlaws: The Americans
Belle Starr: Non-Hollywood/non-Wanker version, circa 1885.
Posted by JD Hull at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2023
One Possible Medieval Palm Sunday…
Entry of Christ into Jerusalem (1320) by Pietro Lorenzetti.
Posted by JD Hull at 02:21 PM
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What's "offensive" changes--and quickly: Frank Zappa on CNN's Crossfire 1986.
Obscenity. Offensiveness. What words are bad? What ideas or standards are bad? Consider a 21-minute discussion 38 years ago about "filthy rock lyrics" with (truth be told) right-leaning Zappa, "conservative" Novak, "liberal" Braden and a respected if tad-demented Washington Times reporter on CNN's Crossfire. Also featuring the U.S. Const. amend. I, the function of government and, well, Real Life. What's offensive? It of course changes with shifting perceptions in the kaleidoscopes and gyres of time. And quickly. Now forget about “obscenity” for a moment. Switch to “bigotry” and “racism.” Do remind yourselves that in, say, 1900 an Oberlin or Harvard prof with the most liberal possible views on race would be viewed as a “racist” pariah on April 13, 2018. Expand your minds today a bit, and get off your knees, Campers. Thank you the late Duke history prof and changing South expert Lawrence Goodwyn.
Posted by JD Hull at 12:12 AM | Comments (0)