What are you on about? It's common everywhere not to say 'please' or 'thankyou'. That's not an Americanism, that's just bad manners.
Most annoying Americanisms that Aussies simply must follow
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What are you on about? It's common everywhere not to say 'please' or 'thankyou'. That's not an Americanism, that's just bad manners.
It was an observation, not a complaint.
Funny you should say that, Geoff. I make it a point to say 'biscuit' if I get one of them bikkies from Subway. The chocolate ones are pretty tasty.
I also say 'medium' instead of 'regular' and 'chips' instead of 'fries' when I go to McDonalds.
I 'dude' female friends. For instance, last Thursday I was down the pub with my gay friend and we were sitting outside. This blonde dame with really nice legs walked past and I said to my friend 'Dude, check out the pins on that!' She was impressed.
Pro tip for the single guys: get yourself a lesbian drinking buddy, they make the best wingmen.
That's what I'm saying. It is bad manners to us, but I can promise you that in some places - L.A for one eg - it is common to never use the manners we are used to.
Having said that; I found the Americans to be a very kind and generous group generally.
Just the funny things they've developed in their society which I find strange at times.
Another couple; "I'm done" (I'm finished) and; "I'm good" (I'm fine, thanks.)
^^^ this. I hate being 'sir-ed'. I am too young to be 'sir'. I got 'dude-ed' the other day. That was cool
Well I am just not ever going to be a "mam", for me its not an age thing but just bloody Americanism that annoys me, especially in a huge Aussie Department Store, this is not what I want to hear. Don't get me started.........
Yeah, that's wrong.
MTR, it's not 'mam', it's 'ma'am' as in madam. It's a polite reference for addressing a female. Age has nothing to do with it.
According to the dictionary; ma'am - a woman of refinement. You don't wish to be seen as a woman of refinement?
Would you prefer 'Oi, woman!', lol.
According to the dictionary; ma'am - a woman of refinement. You don't wish to be seen as a woman of refinement?
Would you prefer 'Oi, woman!', lol.
Marc, by 'we' do you mean you and I? Because I can tell you, as someone that grew up in a very strict household where manners were taken very seriously, the lack of manners of most people of all ages is right there, front and centre for me.
I get complimented (not often) on my 'lovely manners', usually by old(er) women and my mum used to tell me that people would constantly remark about how I had excellent manners when they were talking about us.
Which is why I asked if you were referring to the two of us, because in my experience, manners are rare, no matter where one is! It costs nothing to look someone in the eye and say 'please' and 'thank you' but the impression it leaves is priceless.
I have sat on a number of selection panels for job interviews and I agree that manners are rare. People with good manners really stand out from other candidates in job interviews. Your good manners will serve you well in the future.
And not just manners.
I recently was interviewed for a job as a part of a group which was mostly young people. The standard of dress, to my old school eyes, was really bad. Barely a tie amongst the men, let alone any sort of jacket- the few that were worn were just a token effort. A tie on a tartan lumberjack shirt doesn't look good to me. And I would have thought that black stockings with big holes, while apparently fashionable now, were not appropriate for a job interview.
But I am obviously old school.
And I did get a job offer.
That's correct,certainly not an Americanism either given it is the approved form of addressing the Queen. Also used as the form address for female officers in the Military here is Australia and I assume in the UK.
The two that always annoy me is the constant use of "go ahead", in this context for example, "I'm going to go ahead and open the door". Very prevalent in US TV.
Also the way they refer to when events have occurred. For example, "the Broncos won Friday night" in stead of won on Friday night as we would usually say it. It appears to be the standard for US newsreaders and it really grinds my gears (I hate that one too).
Also the way they refer to when events have occurred. For example, "the Broncos won Friday night" in stead of won on Friday night as we would usually say it. It appears to be the standard for US newsreaders and it really grinds my gears (I hate that one too).