Seniors, what have you learned on Y!A from folks in other countries?

Question

Be sure to tell us which countries you might be talking about.

So far I've learned that if it's way past midnight, folks from the UK & Australia & the UK are the ones who are still up. In the wee hours of the morning, what we consider the middle of the night, it's already morning for them or maybe even noon, & they'll be happy to answer anything you might ask, all perky from a good night's sleep, we might assume. (see World Clock) In fact we may find ourselves answering their newly posted ones, too.

Answer 1

That people all over the world are about the same most are nice and some are not.

Answer 2

What I have learnt more than anything is that we in the U.K. are far more knowledgeable about those in the U.S. than they are of us. Americans seem to be content to just know about each other and assume that their way is right or the best and seem, genuinely, shocked when we have something good which they don't have.



I think that Americans, being residents of such a huge area, just study each other, the different areas of U.S. whereas those in other parts of the world study what goes on everywhere and not just in their own country of fellow English speakers.



When Americans visit Britain they seem to be genuinely shocked to find that, regardless of where they land, they can access the coast (and look out to sea) in a MAXIMUM of about 3 hours (in one direction or another. I realised that this was a real surprise to some Americans when on a coach trip from a hotel to a particular beauty spot only half an hour's ride away, and the Americans descended the steps of the coach and exclaimed "Oh my my - they have the OCEAN in U.K." They had arrived not actually knowing that to be a fact.

Answer 3

I'm in the USA....Michigan, the state shaped like a mitten. I have learned a lot about the customs of other countries particularly Great Britain. I've learned about different foods, different words, and different places. I have learned we are all a lot alike.



I have also learned that even though this is the USA site we get a lot of questions from British and Australians which is really cool. Yahoo automatically directs them to the USA site in case anyone is wondering.



And to be fair, I am sure that a lot of the people in countries other than the US have no clue who some of the people we talk about are either.

Answer 4

Some people can laugh at themselves , other take themselves too seriously , this seems universal . One thing I have noticed on YA is that the wise are polite the world over , fools seem polite only at home.

Have yourself a pleasant happy Xmas. there in the USA . I live in the United Kingdom it is 1253 hrs here at this time it is cold and very wet , we have severe flooding in some parts of the country , and flood warnings are in place for other locations , some poor souls are going to have a miserable Xmas / New Year because of the floods

Answer 5

I miss some of the regulars who posted from way off places such as Michol from Central America.

Guess he is too busy soaking up the sun to post here any longer.

'We have a regular from Thailand as well and sometimes a lady from Italy will pop in here.

These are native born Americans from what I gather who are now ex pats like myself.

I seem to be alone as a senior living in eastern Europe.

I run into people often here in Budapest from the UK.

Just today was picking up spices at a store and gave some advice on salads to an older couple from England.

Seems they are globe trotters, spending 3 weeks in Budapest and they told me of their lives living in Russia for 2 years and several other countries.

The man had been a diplomat in the 1970's and his wife worked in Russia at the US embassy although she is from the UK.

People are very interesting.

For a split second I wanted to give them my phone no. and have them come over on the Christmas holidays for a drink at our flat.

Poor things spending the holiday here in a hotel room, oh well didn't want to be pushy,probably my loss.

We are one hour ahead of the UK with time here in Hungary.

Answer 6

I just wish there was some way to connect with folks who do not speak English - think it would be neat to connect with folks in China and other places in the - what we call the far East. Most folks who do speak and understand English have pretty much the same value and cultural values as we all have.

Answer 7

Bud, no TD from me even though you requested one! He He He. Here in the USA it seems like so many are into 'politician worshop' or blindly believing one news source. I like getting news from all over the world just to see what is really going on. BBC reports American news also. I believe the whole world of mankind to be my brother or sister. I wish people would stop the hatred of others because of a color or country.



edit, just wanted to add that I have learned from people of other countries what to watch out for if I visit, or what to definitey see or do while visiting their country. Language nuances are fun, like rolling or trilling letters. People worldwide are great if you allow them to be!

Answer 8

Friends I met in England have told me I am numpty, one of them even sent me a t-shirt that says Numpty Club on the front...

Answer 9

Being one of the many "insulated" Americans, I have learned that despite our many differences, it really is a small world. The internet has made it even more so. I've come to know some very wonderful people!

Answer 10

I have to agree with TSK in that a lot of Americans do appear to be unaware of the world outside their own country. Several people that I have struck up friendships with from YA have said that they notice I and other Australians, Europeans and Asian people who frequent YA, seem to know more about the USA and get better news coverage of American events such as political, climate/weatherwise and history and cultural aspects.



Like you, leftcoastliz, I have noticed that most of the Americans come on YA at about 11pm, my time. I think those people are on the west coast of USA. I am in Western Australia.



Australians tend to have a dry sense of humour, Americans are more wet and into site gags; they often post funny cartoons or photos. English people are very witty and are very good with descriptive words - I'm thinking of Thomas here and his many guises.



Americans frequently talk about food on YA, they love their cheese; the English love their NHS and countryside and Canadians are happy with their health system too.



I have also learnt that questions about our pets seem to attract the highest number of answers and most people seem to have cats and love to talk about their crazy antics and cute poses.

Answer 11

From all the UK Yahoo questions that start, "UK Seniors only" people in the UK don't seem to like the rest of the world.

Answer 12

That although it saddens me I will never be able to meet those wonderful people in person. So many are people you would love to have as really good friends. But in another way it is comforting to know we share the same world and that really good people are out there.

Answer 13

I extremely have certainly discovered plenty from our youthful era, fairly from my 5 dazzling grandchildren. I be taught plenty from them every time i'm with them. I take a while to talk to them one on one & i like to hearken to what is going on of their lives. i visit the college stay shows, performs, etc. & fairly delight in being interior the midsection of the extra youthful era. they're a breath of sparkling air. I desire I had their capability for one factor. i detect that most of the extra youthful ones i've got been around are super young ones & i will see that a lot of them have been raised in a loving abode & taught recognize, first for themselves, then their mom and dad, siblings, buddies, & adults. such different of the extra youthful era, basically delight in being interior the employer of individuals older than themselves, which includes Senior electorate. it is a studying adventure each of how around, & it is a good factor. I hear the extra youthful era discussing their destiny objectives & desires the older era. in some instances, they simply desire somebody to hearken to them & what's on their minds, devoid of being judgmental. We be taught extra from them that way.

Answer 14

Hi Liz,

I have learned that their language (daily) is slightly different, but they are like us in every other way. I know many better than family.

Answer 15

I love the different terms for common items, such as "lifts" for our elevators. It just sound so much more logical and unfussy.

Answer 16

I was sad to learn that UK is even further into Socialism than the USA. My heart aches for my mother country.

Answer 17

The answer Old fart gave was what I was thinking.



We are all pretty much alike when it comes to what we like and don't lite about what is happening in our world.

Answer 18

that the ones from asia will spam your azz if you anger them

Answer 19

Most from the U.K. seem to like correcting our grammar, our wealth etc. I think it is sour grapes because now they follow our lead.

Answer 20

A LOT about Americans....I have family there but on this have found many very insular and unaware of the world outside the US........................LOTS of questions very American and forgetting British, Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans etc etc on here too......ONCE had one US contributor tell me was a GUEST on here ...on a US site ....when she took exception to a comment I made.....BULLIES?

Answer 21

That they still speak English rather than German thanks to the USA.

Answer 22

I've learned that a great many of my fellow Americans are incredibly ignorant and stupid compared to people of other nations who post on here.



My fellow Americans often say things like: "Who is Jimmy Savile? Never heard of him." "Who is Gordon Brown? Never heard of him." "Who is Edna Everage? Never heard of her." "Who is J.K. Rowling? Never heard of him." And "Is Prince Charles married to Queen Elizabeth? Or are they brother and sister? Anyway, who cares. I never heard of them."



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