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We do here in Perth, Australia, too, but I don't think it'd be considered rude if you didn't. Maybe half of people do, but it depends on how crowded it is.etc. I notice it less in Melbourne.
There is nothing wrong with smiling - there's just no reason to smile constantly. If I'm sitting on the bus with a blank expression, I might look sad or annoyed, but that's just my default look. Constant smiling and cheeriness can also be grating.
Same here. I have a blank expression on my face usually, or just a slight cheery smile sometimes. I hope I don't come across as being in a bad mood, because I'm not 99% of the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enigma777
Whenever I go to Europe, I can always pick out Americans because of their sneakers, socks and shorts. I personally dislike sneakers and have always opted for sandals or espadrilles. But the strangest thing has been happening. Here in Florida I am seeing all kinds of European and South American tourists and you will never believe what they are wearing. Sneakers and socks and shorts--the majority. And my husband is British so we hang out with a lot of Brits--guess what -- they do not seem to have any fashion sense. They all dress like American tourists in Europe. Plus they are a loud bunch. Odd.
There's a popular TV show in Britain called Benidorm. Has all the stereotypes of British tourists in Spain. Oddly enough, they mirror American ones quite a bit so I've come to the conclusion that anyone that claims only Americans do the things and look like the Brits portrayed in Benidorm are talking out of their rear. No offense to anyone on this thread
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ariete
Really? Maybe it has to do with that you're allowed to exit in front.
One thing that makes Americans definitely stand out: white tennis socks.
Eh? Everybody wears white socks....
Nobody thought I was American. It's not just the manner of dress. So many people thought I was from Southern Europe because of the shade of my skin, my facial shape, and the color of my hair and eyes. I guess unlike many Americans, I look like I come from somewhere in the Med. With Americans, you can't really tell where their heritage is from.
Really? Maybe it has to do with that you're allowed to exit in front.
One thing that makes Americans definitely stand out: white tennis socks.
Of course if you exit in back, then you wouldn't thank the driver. You are supposed to exit in back here, but nobody seems to care.
Honestly you don't tend to see the white socks thing where I live (only from tourists).
In NYC, it's true that the tourists from other parts of the US may be more likely to have the bewildered / scared look generally in comparison to other nationalities - particularly on the subway. I think it's a lack of experience with public transportation & cities in general, but also the fact that people here often live in very segregated areas, both racially and economically.
The friendliest neighborhood close to where I live in the BX is heavily Irish immigrant. Almost everyone smiles and says hello on the street - maybe Irish tend to be friendlier than other Europeans?
I live in a more mixed area, but with more Dominicans than other nationalities, and it's still pretty friendly, but not as much as the Irish area I mentioned. In contrast, I find people smile much less when I'm in the more gentrified areas of Brooklyn (which are much more likely to be people from other parts of the US), so go figure.
I had relatives in Texas and it's extremely smiley there. I found it hard to get used to.
On this continent, two colors are allowed on male socks: black and dark blue. Or then you wear no socks.
Of course, if you actually play tennis, it's accepted.
I've never heard of white socks being seen as unacceptable. Wth? Everyone wears white socks, most sports socks are white. Who goes around looking at people's socks anyway?
Doesn't everyone? I mean, I can forgive someone wearing a potato sack, but white socks will not do. Sorry.
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