4 ms·
Not an American, but living in the U.S. That quote is fairly eye opening. My culture is quite a bit more modest than the general American culture, to a degree
by tertius 11y ago
Not an American, but living in the U.S.
That quote is fairly eye opening. My culture is quite a bit more modest than the general American culture, to a degree that "confident" Americans are fairly annoying for not being modest.
That's a very good way to put it, and yes, you're right, it's ingrained in this (HN/Tech) and the more general American culture.
- napperjabber 11y agoI don't know how to explain it. It's fucking annoying. While programming, I have to remain focused and mentally aware. While talking to anyone at work, I have to act like a ditzzy vally girl or hippy of some type. If I don't do this, I'm pegged as a threat. I've found that I can really only get shit done in a remote office, otherwise I'm circle jerking the whole staff. In short, some of us Americans hate it too.
- visakanv 11y ago> While talking to anyone at work, I have to act like a ditzzy vally girl or hippy of some type. If I don't do this, I'm pegged as a threat. That's hilarious. I'm just sitting here imagining a bunch of hippies and valley girls eyeing a tired, geeky programmer and going "Oh my god he is like such a threat to our organization??"
- a3n 11y ago"He's harshing our facade."
- saiya-jin 11y agoto be honest, to most cultures out here/there general average American is by far the loudest person around, beyond any modesty. Usually not really appreciated, and the more traditional (ie didn't change that much in last 500 years) the culture is, the worse the effect. Personally I like it, a very different approach to self-presentation, that in some situations is more effective than usual shy polite careful... whatever,. But if you go backpacking in remote places somewhere in south asia for example, it can cause a bit of friction with locals sometimes.
- Analog24 11y agoI've always found British and Australians to be the loudest. Americans are certainly on that side of the spectrum though
- sixbrx 11y agoI can assure you that there's a whole culture of Americans that aren't loud, but they don't tend to travel the world or congregate in big cities, and aren't much represented on TV except as gross caricatures.
- tertius 11y ago> that in some situations is more effective than usual shy polite careful... whatever,. I think this is where the difference is perceived rather than real. I'm not shy, but I am polite. It's a virtue, not a bad thing. I generally (in social/relational situations) put others above myself. This is really networking 101, ask questions and listen, rather than make everything about yourself. Now you characterized modest culture/people in a narrow minded way, just because that's not who you are. And I then in return gave it some more depth and ended with characterizing the "american" side in a narrow minded way. I do see and understand your comment. I think there are upsides and downsides to both. You prefer yours and I see why I don't blame you for it. I prefer mine for different reasons. We both really are focused on the upsides of our own choices and then slowly try to incorporate the upsides of the opposite.