smart car owner since 2002

[eolon]

For some reason this reminds of Fosters beer, which some people in the US drink because they think it is "real Australian". In Australia, they think it is "real goat piss".


Best Regards,


e

.::.

[DaveInTexas]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Yes, the hot headed comment is also very rude----but it concerns me that several of you chose to scold AleJake and not Markus.... hummmm

Originally Posted by jwight

Fred, it may be that several of us have lived and worked in other parts of the world and have a little more flexibility in dealing with folks from other countries who speak English as a second language. I can't tell you how many of my countrymen (and women) I saw act out the "ugly American" stereotype over the years - very disappointing. We don't need to do it here. As an exercise, try translating your comments into Italian and let us know how that works.

Can't we all just get along?

I have not lived anywhere but America, but have worked for several months around the Italians that came over to America to setup our packaging equipment. There were times that we would be talking and they would have to have us explain what we just said...

When I read Markus' statements, I read them as a person that speaks english as a second language and do not see him making an intentional insult. Maybe I am wrong, but I think we need to give the guy the benifit of the doubt. Just as he doesn't know what 'Yanking your Chain' is, he may also not realize that his statements insulted you.

[BeSmart]

Originally Posted by DaveInTexas

...When I read Markus' statements, I read them as a person that speaks english as a second language and do not see him making an intentional insult... he may also not realize that his statements insulted you.

Fredvon4 and Alejake, I appreciate both your comments because they were different from mine and I learned another prospective. Guess that's what being smart is.

I have traveled and worked overseas for many years and agree strongly with sensitivity to language difficulties. Also what is totally missing in the online forum setting is body language, facial q's, tone of voice. All lend so much to the conversation, that when they are missing, we are at risk of misunderstanding the written response. Often, when overseas, I did not understand the words or sounds of language, let along printed words, however gestures, pointing, facial movements, as well as goodwill, helped communicate what was needed.

English is very challenging as a language. We are all very lucky to have grown up with it.;)

[Fredvon4]

I lived on the Island of Taiwan as a child, then the Philippines, back to USA then off to Iran, back to the USA then off to Chile. I then got drafted and spent a 5 excellent overseas tours of Germany, Italy and Belgium. Along the way we managed to spend time in former soviet countries, and way too much time in Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Afgahanistan.....

My father taught all 6 of his children to be humble guests and gracious hosts. The Military had a lot of training along those same lines.

While a guest overseas there were plenty of times when I, my wife, or our children made some comment or action that insulted or angered someone through our ignorance or from simple translation error..... I am sure there were times when the insult was not brought to our attention. I am sure many kind folks gave us a pass because we were seen as ignorant foreigners (dumb Americans)

But whenever the host (or fellow country man) let me know that I had insulted or angerd..........I always was concerned, ashamed, and profusely apologized and tried hard to mend the insult.

MY family and I have many dear friends in several European, South American and Asian countries. These friends who are always telling us that of all the cultures that visit their countries the American's seem to be the most polite....I hope so, I guided my family, as my father did, to leave that impression.

AleJake's post served notice to Markus that he had angered or insulted by his words.... many of you chose to give Markus a pass and call your own countryman a "Ugly American".....

I think (no pure knowledge) that AleJake in in a combat zone. I have seen Ugly Americans at work in Foreign countries..... and I have seen lots of anti American crap from foreigners that instigated the ugliness

Some of us are still waiting for Markus to apologize and explain that he intended no insult.....

I bet if that happened, AleJake is stand up enough to apologize back.....

That is how adults settle differences.....