Cultural Quip no. 4
6:17 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
The day of the mammoth posts be it today. Aye, I've another fer yer ears (Scottish or pirate, I'm so bad at it I can't tell). This one is about language. Have a look at the conversation below and see if you can pick out what I struggle with:
English person: Hiya!
Me: ...Hi.
English person: You alright?
Me: Oh dear, does it look like I've been crying or something? Am I looking a bit overwhelmed/tired/stressed....? (wary - not really sure what they're asking, and with added volume and pitch to assert I'm not bothered by anything) Yes, I'm fine thanks, how are you?
It sort of comes out a little defensive really, in the sense: There's nothing wrong with me, how could you possibly think that things aren't alright with me? Look at me, how with it do I look? I'm all under control, a smooth operator. Naturally, I also know this is their way of saying 'how are you?' Yet still, each time, a part of me also wonders if they've spotted a weakness in my calm exterior. It's like psychological gymnastics each time I'm greeted. You know, I'm just not wired to interpret it it that way.
As for the 'Hiya!' I disapprove. I will not partake in this greeting, sticking to the far more superior 'Hi!', 'Hello!' or the occasional 'G'day'. Believe it or not, I'm quite the g'day user at home. All those years working at Fulham Rd News did it to me; There's only so many times you can greet people with the first two options.
English person: Hiya!
Me: ...Hi.
English person: You alright?
Me: Oh dear, does it look like I've been crying or something? Am I looking a bit overwhelmed/tired/stressed....? (wary - not really sure what they're asking, and with added volume and pitch to assert I'm not bothered by anything) Yes, I'm fine thanks, how are you?
It sort of comes out a little defensive really, in the sense: There's nothing wrong with me, how could you possibly think that things aren't alright with me? Look at me, how with it do I look? I'm all under control, a smooth operator. Naturally, I also know this is their way of saying 'how are you?' Yet still, each time, a part of me also wonders if they've spotted a weakness in my calm exterior. It's like psychological gymnastics each time I'm greeted. You know, I'm just not wired to interpret it it that way.
As for the 'Hiya!' I disapprove. I will not partake in this greeting, sticking to the far more superior 'Hi!', 'Hello!' or the occasional 'G'day'. Believe it or not, I'm quite the g'day user at home. All those years working at Fulham Rd News did it to me; There's only so many times you can greet people with the first two options.
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