misconceptions and prejudices

[JenT 0]

David is getting sick of the questions, "So how do you like living in the US?" and "Oh, I looooove your accent. Are you from Australia?" And when he tells them that he came from Germany (becuase he's lived there for the last 18 yrs), they really get confused.

If anyone has a snappy (not rude) comeback to "So how do you like living in the US?", we'd love some original responses.

Jen

[Emancipation 2]

I'm trying to prep my fiancee as much as possible before she gets here, but I know no matter what I say or do she is going to face some insane stupidity, racism, prejudice, and miss a ton of things from China she takes for granted that are actually really nice to have that we don't have in the US.

Yepp. I am really happy to see that my husband more and more appreciates "german" things I introduce him to, anything from german dishes to some "german way of thinking"...it is interesting to mix both our backgrounds, specially since he is 50/50 african-american/filippino!

mmmm schnitzel...... mmmmmmmm

[Niphredil 0]

I'm Australian...

'nuff said We're the GODS of being asked stupid questions XD

Actually, it hasn't been so bad. They've done the whole 'joking around and asking stupid questions about riding kangaroos and living next door to the Prime Minister', but sometimes....

I had a friend once ask me, in all seriousness, which I guess was what threw me..... if Australia had an Army.

*blink blink*

Okay, fair enough question. Except she had this annoying habit of informing you she was an ARMY BRAT and has 'travelled the world' (the world meaning Germany).

[ya falaha! 0]

Yeah there are some ppl that dress this way usually older more traditional men but this certainly isn't the norm.

Oh and ppl also tend to think Egyptians dress in galabiyas (long white dress) and wear turbans like depicted in "The Mummy".

But don't they? I know not everyone does but I certainly saw many people that did on my trips there, especially outside of Cairo.

[Dr_LHA 3]

If anyone has a snappy (not rude) comeback to "So how do you like living in the US?", we'd love some original responses.

"Love it".

Usually shuts them up and makes them feel happy at the same time. Win-win.

Edited July 31, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

".....but I miss the rain."

[Dr_LHA 3]

".....but I miss the rain."

It rains enough in Pennsylvania thanks!

[natty bumppo 289]

".....but I miss the rain."

be more than happy to send some your way ...

[Caladan 19]

I have a great story from the afterparty at my wedding. I wasn't there, of course, but one of my college friends apparently asked the best man, C.'s cousin, if:

A) There is G.I. Joe in Canada.

B) If so, if he's the real American hero or "did they change that?"

The first time C. visited the constant refrain from my mother was "Do they have that in Canada?"

[Dr_LHA 3]

I have a great story from the afterparty at my wedding. I wasn't there, of course, but one of my college friends apparently asked the best man, C.'s cousin, if:

A) There is G.I. Joe in Canada.

B) If so, if he's the real American hero or "did they change that?"

That's a decent question though! In the UK they don't have GI Joe, he's called "Action Man" instead and there's none of the jingoistic "Real American Hero" stuff.

EDIT: so is this my answer: http://individual.utoronto.ca/gijoecanada/index2.html

Edited July 31, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[Caladan 19]

I think most of the questions are okay questions. I just love that that's what my drunken lawyer friend fixated on. Was G.I. Joe a Mountie?

Sure, they're sort of silly, but how many people think America is just like on TV where waitresses live in Manhattan penthouses?

[SteveLaura 0]

I've lived in Milwaukee now for nearly two years and I've still yet to meet The Fonz.

I feel cheated.

[~Nini~ 2]

"Do the RCMP have a special road for their horses when they patrol the city?"

[natty bumppo 289]

I've lived in Milwaukee now for nearly two years and I've still yet to meet The Fonz.

I feel cheated.

what about lavern & shirley ?

[homesick_american 1]

I've lived in Milwaukee now for nearly two years and I've still yet to meet The Fonz.

I feel cheated.

So would I!