ThePhanastasio

Going back to the original post, referencing the half-assed little jog people do when the pedestrian light is changing and they're going to cross the street at the last ****ing second:

Have you noticed the people who strut across the middle of the street, jaywalking, right at your car? Every single time I've seen these people, their jaw is set in steely determination, they're walking with confidence, but their eyes are super-alert, verging on terrified. Why the **** do they do it if it's freaking them out? Seriously? Do they think they look like a badass jaywalking across the street, like drivers are going to be like, "Oh, ****, that dude's a ****ing badass! Look at him strutting across this four lane road like a boss!"

Sort of related, but what about the guys who wear t-shirts in frigid temperatures, and remark at least once every thirty seconds that they're not cold? What the hell?

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ThePhanastasio

Ditto, but I live in the South. People are almost obscenely polite here. I'm the sort that keeps to myself, goes from point A to point B, does my business and that's that. I'll always say "please," and "thank you," and am always horribly respectful to others, generally calling everyone "ma'am" or "sir."

I'll tell you, though: If you have to break down somewhere, this is the place to do it. Every single person driving will stop and try to help you, offer their cell phone if yours isn't on you / is dead, try to jump your car, stare at your engine, help you change your tire...and, get this, they don't mug you either.

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vktr

Have you tried to project this on real life? It gets quite funny sometimes

Lisnaholic

True to stereo-type, Mexicans use a lot of emphatic gestures when they talk, while as a Brit I barely move my hands out of my lap. Probably comes across to a Mexican as cold, unconvincing and dull.

What amuses me though is that even when they`re talking on the phone, Mexicans continue to use lots of gestures that are completely wasted because the guy on the other end can`t see them.

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ThePhanastasio

I'm not Mexican, but I'm hand gesture crazy. I work on the phone, so I have to look absolutely ridiculous when I'm on a call. The girl who sits next to me has commented on my excess of hand gestures on several occasions. I'm like Italian-level over-the-top with my hand gestures.

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Burning Down

ThePhanastasio

HA! That's an awesome bit. Really enjoyed it.

And you seriously should see my hand gestures when I'm repeating payment information. It's absolutely ridiculous. I apparently flail about like a crazy person.

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Trollheart

Again, depends on culture/location. Here in jolly old Ireland we respond with things like "You're grand", "Not at all", "Not a problem" (different to "no problem"), "Sure why wouldn't I?" and others, depending on what the thanks is for. For instance, "Thanks for looking after my kid while I went to the dentist" could elicit the response "Sure why wouldn't I?" or "It's no problem" or "You're grand", whereas "Thanks for saving my life (!)" might get something more formal, like "You're welcome," or even very welcome.

Oh yeah, we also use this, which I know will bug/mystify people over there. It's not so much a thank-you, but a response nevertheless. If someone asks, for instance, "Can I borrow the salt off your table", we usually say "Work away."

We're polite in Ireland (mostly) to the point of stereotype!

Apart from the ignorant ****ers I spoke of in my original post, of course...

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FETCHER.

I drive my brother-in-laws half-brother to college because he is in my class and lives near me. They shared a Dad who has now passed away and he tells lies about his dads death to people in my class, saying he had cancer and various other illnesses. He also has told my friends he has a large house when he stays in a regular council house. I need to confront him about it but I'm not sure how. I'll probably snap when I can't take anymore and tell him to **** off.

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Trollheart

Here's another for we pedestrians: why is it that you approach a zebra crossing, a car is coming and they ALWAYS SPEED UP as your foot goes on the crossing? What is it? Can they not wait like three seconds for me to cross, or is it that they see it as a challenge? I'm gonna flash by in my car before you can walk over, you little ****! I don't get it. Z/c are geared towards pedestrians and they ALWAYS have the right of way, so if you're in a car you're supposed to stop and let the guy walk over. Why don't drivers do this? The amount of times I've gone to walk across and the car feet away has just barrelled past, so that it's obvious the guy just put his foot down rather than wait.

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