Ask a Yank (non political questions) thread.

[clappyclaps]

Here in sunny So Cal we can count the truly snotty weather days each year on one hand.

Whereas here in the UK it's usually the opposite, we're able to count the decent weather days on one hand I'm envious if you!

 

[Kate_45]

Thank you for this - very insightful. Credit to my 11 yo DD for noticing the black jackets. Sounds like it is also a function of just how often you have to wear a jacket. Here in sunny So Cal we can count the truly snotty weather days each year on one hand. I never thought of a jacket as being "versitile". It's often only a function of how warm it needs to be (usually just a hoodie sweatshirt will do).

I had a friend who was from Swanston and he was naturally a Swanston Swan fan. He found it odd that you could live in one part of the country and be a fan of a team from another part of the country. What happens if your team is relegated? Well, that's football now innit? You don't go rooting for someone else.

It is odd to a certain extent and you do have people who don't count you as real fans unless you were born within a very small geographical radius. But there is so much more to how you end up with a football team.

The obvious reason is you inherit one - it's been passed down the family so long that no one remembers why you have a bunch of Leicester fans living in Brighton. That's often mixed up in cultural reasons, my Dad's family are Irish catholics so all support man u, my Ghanaian friends my age all support Chelsea for obvious reasons. Then there's political reasons, if you support Barcelona or Rangers/Celtic then you're not necessarily making a statement about football. Then there's the very first match you were allowed to stay up late and watch and Solskjær came on in the 81st minute... (sorry I can't help giving man u examples, they're just the best) and as you said, once you've picked, you can never change. That's your team.

If your team isn't in the premiership then you often have a second team near the very top that you support, to make it more interesting or you just develop a fondness for. This caused a lot of problems when Brentford went up to the premiership because they were so many people's other team. The one they went to watch regularly suddenly testing their loyalty against the big boys.

Also. Everything is closer together in the English Premier League. If you live in London you can easily catch many away games and make the journey up to enough home matches to make a season ticket worthwhile. The furthest you could travel last season would be Newcastle to Bournemouth which is under 350 miles. No Brit would do that, but you Yanks probably drive that far for a decent haircut.

 

[steve_rob]

Here’s my question. Quite often I’ll hear an American expert on the news say something like “it’s Economics 101” and from context clues I can tell they’re alluding to a beginner’s class or a bare-bones introduction to the subject, but what are the origins of this number and where does it come from?

I assume it has something to do with the American education system, but at what level are we talking - High School, College, etc.? Why does the numbering start at 101 instead of say 1? What’s the next class after the beginner one, 102? 201? And how far does it end up going or does that depend on the subject?

 

[SirDuff]

Here’s my question. Quite often I’ll hear an American expert on the news say something like “it’s Economics 101” and from context clues I can tell they’re alluding to a beginner’s class or a bare-bones introduction to the subject, but what are the origins of this number and where does it come from?

I assume it has something to do with the American education system, but at what level are we talking - High School, College, etc.? Why does the numbering start at 101 instead of say 1? What’s the next class after the beginner one, 102? 201? And how far does it end up going or does that depend on the subject?

University. Exact numbering depends on the specific school but the first number usually reflects the year (1 to 4 - though not everyone takes it in that actual year). You might have many courses at a given year level within the same main subject, so 101, 102, 103 or 201, 202, 203. Again, depends on the exact school.

One example (Canada, not the US, but system is the same):


https://coursecatalogue.mcgill.ca/e...tatistics-major-concentration-ba/#coursestext

 

[clappyclaps]

I have a question/observation, which I will preface by saying I mean no offence by it!

Us Brits seem to be known for being overly polite in most circumstances, whereas Yanks appear to me to be the opposite in some cases. I watch a fair amount of trashy American reality tv and I'm always quite surprised by the lack of social niceties and polite behaviour, at least when compared to how we as Brits would behave.

As examples, I see someone get asked how they are or how they're doing and the standard response is something along the lines of "I'm good" and that's literally it. Whereas for me, my response would be a minimum of "I'm good thank you" or more likely "I'm good thank you, how about you/yourself?"

Similarly I see people ordering at food places or asking for something and they usually go "I'll have..." with no please or thank you afterwards. Whereas for me, I'd be saying "Could I have... please" with a thank you thrown in afterwards.

I can't say I've noticed this when I've been over in person, it's only something I've clocked when watching TV and just wondered if this is normal across the board? Or am I putting too many British expectations on this?

 

[OhDannyBoy]

I have a question/observation, which I will preface by saying I mean no offence by it!

Us Brits seem to be known for being overly polite in most circumstances, whereas Yanks appear to me to be the opposite in some cases. I watch a fair amount of trashy American reality tv and I'm always quite surprised by the lack of social niceties and polite behaviour, at least when compared to how we as Brits would behave.

As examples, I see someone get asked how they are or how they're doing and the standard response is something along the lines of "I'm good" and that's literally it. Whereas for me, my response would be a minimum of "I'm good thank you" or more likely "I'm good thank you, how about you/yourself?"

Similarly I see people ordering at food places or asking for something and they usually go "I'll have..." with no please or thank you afterwards. Whereas for me, I'd be saying "Could I have... please" with a thank you thrown in afterwards.

I can't say I've noticed this when I've been over in person, it's only something I've clocked when watching TV and just wondered if this is normal across the board? Or am I putting too many British expectations on this?

So this is going to depend a lot on where in the US you are. Remember the US is huge.

For example, in the south, you'll likely get a much more warm I'm great how about yourself type response. Southern hospitality is a real thing. This more or less goes for those in the mid-west as well, just a different accent.

A lot also has to do with where about one lives in terms of city, suburbs, or rural areas. People in the city can tend to be a bit more rough than people living out in the sticks.

That all being said, it really is tough to out polite a Brit. LOL

 

[Mousefan mom]

I have a question/observation, which I will preface by saying I mean no offence by it!

Us Brits seem to be known for being overly polite in most circumstances, whereas Yanks appear to me to be the opposite in some cases. I watch a fair amount of trashy American reality tv and I'm always quite surprised by the lack of social niceties and polite behaviour, at least when compared to how we as Brits would behave.

As examples, I see someone get asked how they are or how they're doing and the standard response is something along the lines of "I'm good" and that's literally it. Whereas for me, my response would be a minimum of "I'm good thank you" or more likely "I'm good thank you, how about you/yourself?"

Similarly I see people ordering at food places or asking for something and they usually go "I'll have..." with no please or thank you afterwards. Whereas for me, I'd be saying "Could I have... please" with a thank you thrown in afterwards.

I can't say I've noticed this when I've been over in person, it's only something I've clocked when watching TV and just wondered if this is normal across the board? Or am I putting too many British expectations on this?

Absolutely agree with the previous poster. I've lived in several different areas in the US and remember we are HUGE, and there are many cultural differences among different areas. In my opinion, being born and raised in the south and living in the Pacific Northwest, midwest, and now midwest pushing northeastern part of the country...I tell my husband this is as far northeastern as I ever hope to be (Ohio). To me, the people drive crazy here are very rude. I've been here 20 years now, and I have consistently had this observation so it isn't anything "new". Some people will say that southerners are "fake nice" though, but I will take it any day on the northeast culture of rushing and busy. I like when a man opens a door for me, and people say please and thank you. To me, the Pacific Northwest was also one of the friendless places I have ever lived--they are used to new people moving in, and I'd be on the street with a map trying to find my way and someone would almost always come over and ask to help me.

 

[clappyclaps]

I have to admit I didn't think about the vast geography of the US playing a part. Silly really as there's often a north/south divide in the UK when it comes to things like this so shouldnt be a surprise that something similar applies to the States - I'm a northerner and find southerners so rude in comparison (sorry any southerners on here ).

Another question, paper plates appear to be a common thing to use on a day to day basis in a lot of US households (again as seen on TV). What's with that? Paper plates over here tend to be reserved solely for parties or get together where you don't want a tonne of washing up.

 

[Mousefan mom]

I have to admit I didn't think about the vast geography of the US playing a part. Silly really as there's often a north/south divide in the UK when it comes to things like this so shouldnt be a surprise that something similar applies to the States - I'm a northerner and find southerners so rude in comparison (sorry any southerners on here ).

Another question, paper plates appear to be a common thing to use on a day to day basis in a lot of US households (again as seen on TV). What's with that? Paper plates over here tend to be reserved solely for parties or get together where you don't want a tonne of washing up.

For sure American waste. While not a daily thing, we do (larger family of 5) use them a few times a week. Particularly if the plates are all running in the dishwasher or if it is a pizza night and I just don't want to do dishes. I'd say we have pizza night about 1 time a week on average.

 

[lanejudy]

We probably do paper plates with pizza and for picnics. Most meals we use regular tableware.

Please do not think “trashy American reality tv” shows are representative of anything typical in American households or daily lives.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

It`s really not unusual over here.

We still tip over here for dining out, taxis, hair salons and so on. Not usually 20-25% in restaurants unless we have exceptional service, it`s usually around 15-20% dining out.

We tip delivery drivers for Chinese/Indian/Pizza and so on too and everyone I know tips the same way, except that one guy, but there`s always one

I`m genuinely surprised to hear some folks don`t tip in the UK.

We do tip well in the USA but the service is always deserving.

Same here

You wouldn’t tip in a pub though would you?

Yes I always tip bar staff if they are friendly/do a good job

Can I ask what British Disboarders think of the American pavilion in Epcot?

My family enjoy it. Yes it’s patriotic but that’s kinda what we love about it! I like the show and museum pieces, enjoy the singers and have watched many a concert there so have happy memories. The food is pretty standard QS but sure that’s ok. Does the job and fills up hungry teenagers. We tend to time our visits in July and absolutely love the 4th July fireworks and how everyone is wearing their red, white & blue clothing

 

[MICKIMINI]

I have to admit I didn't think about the vast geography of the US playing a part. Silly really as there's often a north/south divide in the UK when it comes to things like this so shouldnt be a surprise that something similar applies to the States - I'm a northerner and find southerners so rude in comparison (sorry any southerners on here ).

Another question, paper plates appear to be a common thing to use on a day to day basis in a lot of US households (again as seen on TV). What's with that? Paper plates over here tend to be reserved solely for parties or get together where you don't want a tonne of washing up.

We never use paper plates unless we take a drive and plan on a picnic. I set out a lovely table, tablecloth included (often linen which I iron LOL) no matter the menu.

TV shows are not real life. We are from New England and traditional in our culture and manners. No TV trays unless one is sick!

 

[LoveDaisy]

I use paper plates sometimes when eating on the patio. I have plastic pates we mainly use out there (I don’t like to use anything breakable because we have dogs over often) but occasionally if we have people over I will put small paper plates out for appetizers or desserts. I do not know anyone who uses them regularly.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

Paper plates are for parties or reading by the pool. Every one in a while if are lazy we might use them as well.

 

[kevtlas]

Same as most others, we only use paper plates for large get togethers or when not near a kitchen (eating at the park, for example). Otherwise, we use regular tableware and even have melamine tableware for outside eating at home.

 

[SnowBeast]

I’m at Disney now and by the number of ads on tv for paper plates (Dixie) and the fact that the super markets have several meters of shelving just for paper plates, I’d say that they are definitely regularly used by some Americans. They wouldn’t pay for advertising or devote valuable retail space in stores for products that people don’t buy. In Britain you might find a single pack of paper plates in a BIG Tesco if you look, but here they have plate options to ponder over. What’s with the paper plates you guys

 

[atthebeachclub]

I’m at Disney now and by the number of ads on tv for paper plates (Dixie) and the fact that the super markets have several meters of shelving just for paper plates, I’d say that they are definitely regularly used by some Americans. They wouldn’t pay for advertising or devote valuable retail space in stores for products that people don’t buy. In Britain you might find a single pack of paper plates in a BIG Tesco if you look, but here they have plate options to ponder over. What’s with the paper plates you guys

My family doesn't use paper plates, but we also aren't big on hosting. And when we do host, we use reusable plates because we think one time use items are wasteful. But not everyone must have received that memo. America has a lot of diversity of opinion, and people who don't care about the environment clearly exist, propping this market up.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I always find it odd that although I leave a few $ every day on the sink there is usually a tray of some sort - they rarely if ever take it. I've had this at Universal, Disney and even hotels in Europe.
It always baffles me when they don't take it, but then I think back to that thread where the woman was complaining a few dollars were taken from her room that were left where the tip was meant to be.


Yeah - if they hold my bag for the day or I bring the bags to my room they are tipped.

I don't tip if they bring something to my room that should have been there in the first place, this seems to be a common tactic to try and get more tips for bell services

Specific to Disney, housekeeping is NOT a tipped position. The manager at AKV once told me they are only allowed to take the tip if it is clear it is for them to take....such as an envelope that is labeled housekeeping or "thank you", and left on the bed or bathroom cabinet.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

While on the same tips topic, I found it a little frustrating on my recent trip constantly being asked for tips even when just buying a coffee etc which isn't something we're used to doing in the UK. I take it from your response that most people wouldn't tips for things like this on a daily basis? I felt a bit bad not doing tbh.

The tipping culture in America is beyond ridiculous! We do not play along. For a full service restaurant, we tip very well for great service. For anything less than great, we tip accordingly. If somebody is providing a real service to me, then I will tip based upon the service they performed.

If we pick the food up ourselves for carry-out, we do not tip. I have heard all of the "somebody has to make your food for you" stuff, but that is their job. That is literally what they get paid for. I am not tipping on a cup of coffee, somebody bagging up some cookies, fast food, etc.

In some places in America, they have the audacity to ask for a tip at the register when purchasing groceries. What a joke!