Accents - Moscow

[estesrandy]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C5421
From: estesrandy
Subject: Re: Accents  - Moscow
Reply To: [Yahoo! #5410] Accents  - Moscow
Date: 7/31/00 9:21 am  (ET)

I had a similar experience while visiting Germany and it's border
countries in 1997 and 1998 on several business trips. If you spoke
English, the first question from the local Germans, Austrians, Swiss,
etc.. was: "Are you British ?"

I believe it shows how your view of the world is shaped by your
experiences. Since most of the people that they had met who spoke very
fluent English were from the UK, it is natural to assume that we were
from the UK. Also, when they found out that I lived in Florida (at that
time anyway), they assumed I lived near Miami because the most common
flight from Munich goes to Miami. I happened to live near Tampa which
meant nothing to them, so I mentioned that I lived near Disney World in
Orlando and they could relate to that location !

Our view of foreigners in the US is highly tainted by the movies and TV
shows we are fed on a daily basis. I found that people in Europe had some
of the stereotypes, but generally lived similar lives to those in the
US. They did have a better perspective on work and vacation time. They
get alot more of it than we do, and they have time each year to relieve
stress. I think it makes them a little happier in the long run even if
they don't make the extra money to spend on frivolous things !