Strange things Americans have said to you

[etrangais 954]

At a naturalization oath ceremony, the lady doing the honors said (directing her speech to the newest citizens present that day):" you look like Americans"

[MochiKamo 93]

I did not mean to say Americans who use "excellent English" speak the language poorly, it's just ironic that they would comment on my command of the language when they aren't exactly 100% great at it themselves. In addition, their being surprised by my fluency, especially when they do not even know anything about my background, indicates to me that they think non-UK/US/NZ/AUS persons aren't supposed to know the language. That is what I find rather patronizing. I don't expect Americans to know anything about my country, so it's not a litmus test. And I do not think I am being provincial in any way. I don't fault them for their lack of knowledge as I understand that many Americans don't travel internationally to begin with. What I find patronizing are the assumptions made when they have absolutely no idea about where I'm from, so why assume?

I had taken Japanese classes before my first visit to Japan, but the Japanese spoken by many people was distinctly different than what I had learned in class. Much of it seemed grammatically incorrect and abbreviated with words out of place. Thankfully, I didn't have my textbook with me at the time so I didn't actually attempt to correct anyone's Japanese.

I later realized that there is a stark difference between formal and informal Japanese, and naturally, everything I had learned in class fell squarely in the formal category. And of course the informal usage would not go well if used in a class or business setting. But I can't really say that the Japanese speakers weren't "exactly 100% great at" Japanese.

Anyhow who I really feel bad for our black individuals from Europe. For example, a French person who happens to have dark colored skin. In the US black = African (American) so someone black not "from" Africa would really confuse most people here unfortunately.

[hobbit 10]

I had taken Japanese classes before my first visit to Japan, but the Japanese spoken by many people was distinctly different than what I had learned in class. Much of it seemed grammatically incorrect and abbreviated with words out of place. Thankfully, I didn't have my textbook with me at the time so I didn't actually attempt to correct anyone's Japanese.

I later realized that there is a stark difference between formal and informal Japanese, and naturally, everything I had learned in class fell squarely in the formal category. And of course the informal usage would not go well if used in a class or business setting. But I can't really say that the Japanese speakers weren't "exactly 100% great at" Japanese.

Anyhow who I really feel bad for our black individuals from Europe. For example, a French person who happens to have dark colored skin. In the US black = African (American) so someone black not "from" Africa would really confuse most people here unfortunately.

Yes, I am well aware of the difference between formal and informal usage, and using the latter does not make anyone less than "100% great" as a speaker of the language in question. However, there is still a difference between informal and improper usage, and I'll admit it's a fine line. For example, I have an issue with "robbery try" but someone else might not. Similarly, you think "excellent English" is fine but I don't. Of course, I'd still know what you are referring to, but it's a matter of impression. Communication counts for a lot, so I think someone who writes "robbery try" instead of "robbery attempt" on the cover page of a state daily isn't "exactly 100% great at" English. Perhaps you are less harsh in your judgment than I am, and that's just as well.

[hobbit 10]

Sorta kinda like this:

You hit the nail on the head with this video!

[Birdo 16]

I was asked if there are any cows in Finland...

And all the time the "you can't be cold you're from Finland". Oh yes I can and that's why I'm never going to move back to any part of the world where it's cold...

Also people think that for some reason Finnish people eat mostly fish.

And that Finnish people are math geniuses. All of us.

[Protocol417 161]

I get the "automatic citizenship" thing ALL THE TIME. I hadn't realized how many people actually thought that until going through the process myself. People are shocked over how long it took us to get to where we are (just had the visa interview two days ago) and our "journey" wasn't even that bad.

I'm the USC and my fiance isn't quite here yet, but the funniest thing I've encountered so far was when my fiance was here visiting. While I was at work, he wanted to go into the city (which requires a couple buses and a commuter train). He stopped by the local gas station by the bus stop, where he ran into a guy from Europe (pardon, I don't remember his precise nationality, except that he wasn't British). They began chatting, and the guy was so happy to find another European ("these Americans, they just don't TALK to other people!") that he offered him a ride to his connection, and then they went for a beer at Hooters

He's absolutely right though... that would NEVER happen to an American because we don't talk to each other, and we certainly don't go out for a drink with someone we just met 20 minutes ago

At a TGI Fridays once he asked the waitress to "hold the to-mah-toes", and she asked if he was Italian.

Later that same week, a mall employee also asked him if he was Italian. When he said "no, I'm from England" she responded "oh, I thought that was in Italy!"

[Pooky 3,829]

"I really can't stand mince pies"

What? Seriously? Are you completely mad?

Oh, we'll. All the more for me, then.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

"You're British?! I LOVED Princess Diana!" Is one of the best and most random comments I've had (so far).

[Pooky 3,829]

American: "What did you call them?"

Me: "Big Ears and Horse Face."

American: "Can you say that? I mean, won't they lock you up in the Tower of London, or something?"

[BatmanUSA 105]

My mother asked me if my wife knows how to cook a turkey...

I said no, they do not have turkeys in Russia..

[VickyP 34]

Funniest question ever was: In what State is Germany in....I was like you gotta be kidding me lol!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

"I really can't stand mince pies"

What? Seriously? Are you completely mad?

Oh, we'll. All the more for me, then.

It's because they don't know what it is. They think it has meat in it. They are becoming more popular in my area, marketed as mince pies, not mincemeat pie. Still confuses people, though. It's not a popular dish - didn't come over with the colonists.

[Pooky 3,829]

It's because they don't know what it is. They think it has meat in it. They are becoming more popular in my area, marketed as mince pies, not mincemeat pie. Still confuses people, though. It's not a popular dish - didn't come over with the colonists.

Not quite. The wife has tried them, as has the munchkin.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Not quite. The wife has tried them, as has the munchkin.

Ahh

[JoBri 548]

Does being an American automatically make you good?

My wife gets the aren't you happy you made it to America comments too. Its funny how people don't understand that many love their home country and had no desire to leave it. My wife also wished I would have moved there and said she'd support me. But I don't think I could handle living as a Filipino, I need a few extra comforts than that.

Yeh... My wife wanted me to move to the Philippines too, when she first got here. Not yet though.... Maybe when we retire.