[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I agree and disagree, depending on the situation. I always joke with my buddy who is of Italian descent (has an Italian flag on his car, talks like he's on the Sopranos, and has never been to Italy) that he's only Italian when he's in the US, because the second he steps off the plane in Italy he'll realize how not-Italian he is.

That being said, there's a difference between being from a place and being born in a place and it depends on the context of the conversation. People often hear my last name and ask if I'm Irish - is the correct response that I'm American? They would look at me like I'm some asshole because most people in this country are "American" by your definition.

On the fip side, if I run into Dutch people, I might tell them that my mother was born there but I would never say "I'm Dutch" as that would sound pretty silly, so I do agree on that front.

This country is somewhat unique in that nearly everyone here is from somewhere else. Brasil and Argentina are similar in that they had a large European influx around WWII. Like Gisele Bundchen... she's famous as a Brazilian model but her ancestry is 100% German.

I'm damed if I do damed if I don't. If I tell people I'm American they will say nah where are your parents from? Cuba, well then you're Cuban (even though they came here as kids).

If I tell people I'm Cuban they ask me what part of Cuba I'm from, I tell then Miami, they inform me I'm not Cuban.

Originally Posted by Nkc

Where ever I go, I'm fucking chinese lol.

I actually have a friend who is married to an Indonesian chick and her and his mother got into a huge thing because his mother referred to some waitress as a "chinita" which is basically Chinese in spanish. Now she wasn't saying anything derogatory, but my friends wife got all upset asking her how she knew she was Chinese.

Anyways got me to thinking and in spanish (at least Cuban spanish) we call pretty much all Asians chino. It actually took me a bit to try to think if there was even a word for Asian in spanish. It would be asiatico, however I can't ever recall hearing that in any spanish conversation ever. Even Cubans who have some Asian in them are referred to as chino.

[Litos]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Mostly people who are late all the time

biggest pet peeve of my entire life....

if you need to be somewhere, at least be responsible enough to understand that other people are counting on you to fucking be somewhere at a specific time....

"if you ain't early, you're late"

[KingOfJericho]

This whole conversation would seem really dumb to a Native American, btw. Then thinking about that - they walked over from Asia when there was a land-bridge between Alaska and Asia so I guess they're really Asian? Slippery slope!

Originally Posted by P1et

Your buddy sounds like the stereotypical "American-Italian" which is a complete 180 compared to real Italians. I think he'd be shocked if he'd ever set food in Italy; better not crush his dreams!

I really want to bring him along next time we go so he can see just how silly "American-Italians" are compared to real Italians. He's a very funny guy and I rib him relentlessly about it now that I've been there several times.

I gave this some thought and I think it may be related to the fact that they got their Italian-ness from their grandparents who came over as teenagers in the 20s and that lifestyle was passed down, as opposed to the cosmopolitan Italians of today. It's just old school and outdated, but that's become its own subculture.

Originally Posted by P1et

So when people ask you if you're Irish or Scottish, what do you tell them? The correct answer would be that you were born and raised in America, but that your mother was born in the Netherlands and that your father is of (insert correct countries) descent.

That's a very long explanation for cash register talk. You're more sensitive to it as you are right off the proverbial boat, but the conversation is typically on what your heritage is rather than the soil you were born on, given that nearly everyone I come in contact with is at least second generation.

Here's a funny one: The guy I sit next to at work has a thick Korean accent. I asked him where he is from and he said "Seattle". I laughed and changed the question to where he was born.

[Taskmaster]

I'm one of those people who tries to be ontime/ early and my friends drag their feet. }

Otherwise - I'm JUST ontime. I hate waiting on others.

[Sara]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I'm one of those people who tries to be ontime/ early and my friends drag their feet. }

Otherwise - I'm JUST ontime. I hate waiting on others.

I cant stand when others are late. When I say meet me here at 6 what I really mean is if you're not here by 5:45 I'm leaving without you.

[Billup]

Originally Posted by Sara504

I cant stand when others are late. When I say meet me here at 6 what I really mean is if you're not here by 5:45 I'm leaving without you.

I've never understood why it is so hard for people to be on time. There is a set date and TIME to be somewhere, so what do you do? Plan enough time for travel, traffic, putting your pretty face on.


I don't have time to wait around for you, because you couldn't make time TO BE ON TIME.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

Sandwiches that do not stay together. Don't call it a sandwich if I have to eat it with a fork.

Ooh, that reminds me of Sam LaGrassas deli in Boston. Absolutely incredible pastrami. Make sure you have a fork.

[2011CrazE89]

Originally Posted by Sara504

I cant stand when others are late. When I say meet me here at 6 what I really mean is if you're not here by 5:45 I'm leaving without you.

Originally Posted by Billup

I've never understood why it is so hard for people to be on time. There is a set date and TIME to be somewhere, so what do you do? Plan enough time for travel, traffic, putting your pretty face on.


I don't have time to wait around for you, because you couldn't make time TO BE ON TIME.

My boss has no tolerance for lateness. We had a candidate show up 7 minutes late for his interview. I was asked to escort him out the door.

[M_Six]

I'm ALWAYS the first one to show up. Never fails. And I hate waiting.

[Nkc]

I'm seeing a pattern here. Maybe we're all labeled as DB drivers because we're all rushing to get to a place early or on time lol.

[954Stealth]

I always strive to be on time as well and encourage others to do the same. I see it as a respect issue. That said, I would like to hear someone from Europe Persian countries or South America chime in on the concept of punctuality in their culture. Here in the US we put a lot of value in time and production and efficiency, etc. and the punctuality phenomenon is a byproduct of that. It is my understanding that being "late" is normal and, in fact, can be a bit of a surprise being that their cultures are typically more laid back and private. It makes it seem like you are desperate to see the person and this can be taken as slightly offensive.

So, while I do value punctuality myself, it is important if someone is late to maybe consider their culture before reacting harshly.

[koreez88]

This thread covered most of the stuff, but if I were to pick one:

Originally Posted by BKap08

styrofoam is the worst thing ever created, whenever i hear it i cringe and part of me dies inside

The creaking sound of styrofoam makes me want to jump off the building.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by 954Stealth

I always strive to be on time as well and encourage others to do the same. I see it as a respect issue. That said, I would like to hear someone from Europe Persian countries or South America chime in on the concept of punctuality in their culture. Here in the US we put a lot of value in time and production and efficiency, etc. and the punctuality phenomenon is a byproduct of that. It is my understanding that being "late" is normal and, in fact, can be a bit of a surprise being that their cultures are typically more laid back and private. It makes it seem like you are desperate to see the person and this can be taken as slightly offensive.

So, while I do value punctuality myself, it is important if someone is late to maybe consider their culture before reacting harshly.

It's funny, we have a saying (at least in our group): if you don't eat beans you're not Mexican; if you're not late you're not Vietnamese.

So I agree with you that it depends on the culture. I always try to be on time though. I hate waiting too, especially if we set a time and even extended it to give the person more time. What irks me even more is when you text them "on my way" or "be there in 15 mins", they're like "ok" and when you get there you still have to wait for them...

[MidwestGolfBum]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Mispronounced words drive me fucking insane.

It's espresso, not expresso.
It's chipotle, not chipulte. The T is BEFORE the L!

Perhaps more annoying is that my name is Evan and about 50% of the time that I see someone write it down they write "even". You know what e-v-e-n spells and it isn't Evan. They don't even sound similar. It's four fucking letters and people just can't get it right. It's not like "Kerry" or "Christine" where there are like five different ways to spell it.

You pain, I feel all of it. I just about punched a guy who made my name badge for a 4 day event (that got me in to everything) with e-v-e-n twice. I had to register for this event and he just needed to copy/paste my name from the registration form.

I also have a last name that people refuse to agree that I have a 't' in and I'm actually a Johnson.

[UncleWede]

"If you're on time, you're 5 minutes late" was my motto until I married my wife. Now we're on Mexican time. It's not until AFTER we're in the car and headed to wherever (on time) that I'm informed we also need to stop here and there and then that other place before we go to the original destination.

I quit arguing over the toilet paper coming over the top, and just crap outside instead.

[Templar]

I think it is acceptable to maybe show up a little later to a house party or something like that. Typically, I show up maybe a half an hour past the start time because I wind up staying until the majority of people have left, plus more time. My friend usually hosts house parties that involve lots of drinking, so we stay until the wee hours and drink even after most people are gone.

Now, showing up late to a dinner reservation or a movie, that's a no-no. Also, for work related things, if you're boss is going to be there, then you better be 10 mins early or have a damn good reason (i.e. one of my employees was dying and I took them to the ER).

[Nkc]

Then you get that "all busy important business" guy that comes over to your house, whips out 3 iphones, an iPad, and a laptop and starts working on your dining table on a Sunday fucking afternoon. Seriously too many of these dudes in HK. It's like come on, am I fucking boring you? You really didn't have to come.

Just gotta say, life was genuinely better before all this technology hit us in the face. The internet was cool to begin with, we at least gathered around as a group and patiently waited for porn to load lol.

[Litos]

Originally Posted by Nkc

we at least gathered around as a group and patiently waited for porn to load lol.

well, you know what I say about porn..............

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by P1et

When you're talking to an American as a European and they tell you they're from Ireland. Or from the UK. Or from Germany. Or they're a quarter Irish, a quarter French, 1/8th Norwegian, 7/45ths Polish and 3/545ths Italian.

"Oh really, where in Ireland were you born"
"Well, I was wasn't born in Ireland"
"So you're not Irish then?"
"Well, my father is Irish and my mother is Polish"
"Oh, so where in Ireland was your father born"?
"Well, he was born here in Lincoln, Nebraska"
"Oh, so where in Poland was your mother born?"
"Well, she was born here in Atlanta, GA"
"So you're American and so are both of your parents"
"Welllllllllllllllllllll my father's father's mother's aun't sister's nephew's dad once visited Ireland"
"SHUT UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP"

Cannot stand it.

Post of the day!

As I recall, this happened to me in NYC, Miami and Santo Domingo(RD), US citizens with the same habits. I understand their pride I'm born in the same town where Mata Hari is born. FWIW.


In Santo Domingo a guy from NY asked me from which part of Australia I'm from. Come on mate. I'm from the old countries.

EDIT: P1et sounds a bit Dutch, you're a dutchman in Texas probably?

Cheers
Robin

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

"If you're on time, you're 5 minutes late" was my motto until I married my wife. Now we're on Mexican time. It's not until AFTER we're in the car and headed to wherever (on time) that I'm informed we also need to stop here and there and then that other place before we go to the original destination.

I quit arguing over the toilet paper coming over the top, and just crap outside instead.

OMFG...I had to put an end to this with my chick. I pulled the car over to the side and told her if you want us to work, this will never happen again. It has never happened again.

She has actually thanked me for increasing her awareness of of time judgement.

[Uber V8]

I CANNOT stand those teenage girls that pop their gum over and over and over again while waiting in line.

Also, I udnerstand there are cultural differences, but when I'm in line at Subway, BACK THE FUK UP!

One more, the bums in LA always want to be traffic police and it makes shyt really confusing. I'm not going to go into detail, but bums seem to love directing traffic even if it puts themselves or others at harm.

[Litos]

Originally Posted by FwdFtl

I CANNOT stand those teenage girls that pop their gum over and over and over again while waiting in line.

Also, I udnerstand there are cultural differences, but when I'm in line at Subway, BACK THE FUK UP!

One more, the bums in LA always want to be traffic police and it makes shyt really confusing. I'm not going to go into detail, but bums seem to love directing traffic even if it puts themselves or others at harm.

down in Houston, one thing we value is space - nobody is crawling on you at Subway - that's a good way to catch a right hook in the mouth...

we got bums, but the last thing they do is try to direct traffic.....

haven't really heard any bitches smack gum in about 20 years...