The Cellar - An American Place?

[monster]

Yes, it's very American. But not necessarily "Average American". The people here tend to have a sense of humor which has more in common with the Brit and Aussie senses of humor than your average joe on the street (in my experience) ...those who don't get offended quickly and leave.

Very few people who have not lived on the both sides of the Atlantic for an extended period of time, have any idea how different the US and UK are -the commonality in language lures us into a false sense of security. But they are very different and I regularly find myself thinking "oh, I wonder if the Brits will understand that?" (usually, not as in understand the words literally, but more the context behind them).

it's not necessarily a bad thing -it's not like it's an Americans-only thing, but yes, it's very American. There are many types of "very American" --huge place as this is-- this is just one type. A good type. (in the main )

The difference becomes most obvious in the politics forum, which is more that a little incredibly American. Only Dana is brave enough to face that time and time again. Most of the rest of us furriners are too scared of the "friendly fire"

[Undertoad]

Originally Posted by monster

The difference becomes most obvious in the politics forum, which is more that a little incredibly American.

You probably get the same feeling there as I get in the Parenting forum.

Originally Posted by monster

... Very few people who have not lived on the both sides of the Atlantic for an extended period of time, have any idea how different the US and UK are -the commonality in language lures us into a false sense of security.

As I was walking into an outdoor cafe near the canal zone in Panama City, a young man (late teens - early twenties) with black hair and brown skin got up from the table where he had been seated with others and approached me. With a Spanish accent he asked in English "Excuse me, are you American?" I replied "Yes." He exclaimed "I'm American too!" I said "Yes, I know ... I'm North American." He looked down; then, up again and said "You're OK, would you like to join us?" I respectfully declined (I was with coworkers and choosey about where we sat for security).

It's noteworthy that "Americans" who speak English as a second language (not just those residing in the rest of the Americas; but, US citizens and non-citizens residing here) have not found their way to the Cellar in the numbers that primary English speakers from elsewhere have. Perhaps a common language offers a real sense of security.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by monster

Yes, it's very American. But not necessarily "Average American". The people here tend to have a sense of humor which has more in common with the Brit and Aussie senses of humor than your average joe on the street (in my experience) ...those who don't get offended quickly and leave.

Yea but is that a symptom of the kind of forum environment that exists so it would tend to attract a certain set of people while fending others off? There is a forum for every kind of personality type out there, US or UK or whatever.