Biggest difference between European and American culture to me. (ancestry, Chinese, influence)

[Vic_Vega]

Originally Posted by Tjua

Only one official written and spoken Language in USA, that is way too little. In Norway we have 3.

Norwegian and Russian signs in Kirkenes, Northern Norway.





Norwegian, Kven and Sami signs elsewhere in Northern Norway:







In western part of Norway many streetsigns are also in English.

Please come back and brag more about USA the day Minnesota also has Norwegian as official Language and when all signs are both in Norwegian and English.

I believe the US legally has no national official language at all. I don't really understand either, what kind of a selling point is it to have multiple official languages.

[Miserere]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

Lol those differences aren't large if we are talking about culture.

There is by far more cultural differences between European countries then there are cultural differences between American states.

Not really, for many Newyorkers most of America is Terra Ignota, a place in which they don't have the least interest.

[Miserere]

Originally Posted by Vic_Vega

I believe the US legally has no national official language at all. I don't really understand either, what kind of a selling point is it to have multiple official languages.

So you can draw official documents in your native language. For example, in Dade County there are three official languages..in some European areas there are two, etc.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by viribusunitis

I realize that. And no, I haven't been to Minnesota and Louisiana, but I know about the very different historical backgrounds of these two regions and I realize that some cultural aspects set them apart.

Anyhow, I feel that these differences are (at the very most...) like the differences between northern Germany and southern Germany. Like Spain and Norway or Belgium and Slovakia? No way.

The differences are more extreme than you imagine. That's what I'm saying.

[Ariete]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

The differences are more extreme than you imagine. That's what I'm saying.

Well educate us. What are those differences?

[Miserere]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

Have you ever spent much time in south Louisiana? What about Minnesota?

I'll be honest - I haven't been to either Spain or Norway - I was just using those two examples because of the differences in climate and what I know of the cultures - food and music and that sort of thing. But my point is that just as I may not be aware of just how different Norway is from Spain - most Europeans are not aware of just how different the people, the food, the weather, the music, the culture, etc is between Minnesota and Louisiana. So it seems just as strange to me to hear someone say "Everything seems so similar in the US - it just seems like one big interstate highway and national chains and malls and McDonalds yada yada yada" as it does for you to hear someone say that Europe all seems the same.

Both perspectives are skewered.

In Spain you can go out and sit down in a terraced café and drink 10 beers and 1 bottle of wine.
If you do that in Norway, you'll freeze to death and you'll go broke.
Other than that, Norway has oil, codfish and salmon and few inhabitants.
None of the countries are comparable to the US states you mentioned!!!
Probably Finland, who know, that's the new world too.

[Ariete]

Originally Posted by Miserere

None of the countries are comparable to the US states you mentioned!!!
Probably Finland, who know, that's the new world too.

Eh?

[Miserere]

Just joking.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Miserere

Not really, for many Newyorkers most of America is Terra Ignota, a place in which they don't have the least interest.

But... whether they like to admit it or not, New Yorkers are fairly culturally similar to people elsewhere in the U.S.

[Ariete]

A Minnesotan and Louisianian walks into a bar...

M: I'll have a Bud, here's some $$$
L: Same for me, thanks. You got some change?
M: So what is you going to do on thanksgiving?
L: I is going to have a big-ass Turkey with beans!
M: Me too! But replace them beans with tree bark!
L: So what about them elections? Obama sucks.
M: No! I vote Democrat!
L: Shiiiiiiieet! Them Republicans be da best!
M: Y'all watched them news yesterday? Pretty big-ass blizzard in Buffalo.
L: No, I watched Jersey Shore.
M: Oh, that be da bomb!
L: So how about invading da Iran-ragheads? God bless 'Murica!
M: Yeah! I'm up! I'm a sergeant in the National Guard! God bless 'Murica!
L: Yeah! Them middle easterners hate liberty!
M: And freedom!
L: Yeah, but who is going to win the World Series?
M: I is not really into Baseball. I watch hockey.
L: Really? It's not that big in Louisiana, but NY Rangers rule!
M: They suck! But yeah, me getting hungry. Wanna go to Wendy's?
L: Sure! I is buying!


A Spaniard and Norwegian walks into a bar...

S: ¡Hola!
N: Hej!
S: Should we switch to English? I have no idea what you are talking about. Anyway, I'll have an Estrella.
N: Sure! Akvavit for me.
S: So, how come you are so rich and we are so poor?
N: Oil and working economy. What's wrong with you?
S: Our politicans are so corrupt, like our PM Jesús María González González y González.
N: Oh, never heard of him. What is his party and what is his ideas?
S: Corruption, and he represents the Mañana party. How about Norway? What parties do you have?
N: Our PM's name is Ã…ge Torsksen Regnsen. He's great, he represents the liberal Olje Til Frokost party.
S: Oh, we should have some Norwegian politicians. Let's have another drink!
N: Sorry, work tomorrow.
S: Damn. We have a national holiday tomorrow. BTW, what does that street sign mean there outside?
N: No parking from 8-19. You don't have them?
S: Sure, but they look different.
N: Have this America invading Iran being on the news in Spain?
S: It has, but I'm unsure. We hade a huge debate on TV after the famous Muchas Machos de Playas telenovela.
N: Never heard of it, but I think the US shouldn't invade. Anyway, how about grabbing some food! I know a good restaurant chain nearby. They have 20 variants of lutefisk!
S: I have no idea what that is, but I would like to have some cocido madrileño.
N: I don't know what that is, and I don't think they serve it here. Anyway, you probably don't have NOK, so my treat, my decision! Lutefisk it is!
S: Ok, it might be good.
N: .... you wish...


So, sure. Surely the American differences are bigger than the European. NOT.