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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 16, 2007, at 14:53:39
Okay so there are some things I would like to clear up. Little cultural practices that we don't have in Europe and I see all the time in American films, etc.
So.
What is that dinner thing people have before a wedding? It looks like a bigger celebration than the wedding! And people give speeches and stuff......don't they bother at the wedding reception?
And, well it seems to me that either a) everyone jumps into bed with each other on their first dates or b) they're totally ultraconservative and are waiting til their wedding nights. There's no middle ground there. Perhaps its just the movies.
I suppose likewise judging by the TV shows we see over here, I expect all American's to be ultra-skinny (as in: Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, Friends, pretty much all movies.....)Its a strange view to be honest.
So. Well.Well what else? Internist - I think thats covered - hmmm, peanuts in bars, we don't have that here (although thats a relatively easy concept to understand!)
Bunch of things concerned with education, but again, I posted about that on students....hmmmm
Well thats all folks!
Posted by madeline on March 16, 2007, at 16:19:46
In reply to American culture...help me please understand!, posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 16, 2007, at 14:53:39
The "Dinner Thing" the night before the wedding the wedding rehearsal dinner. I certainly wouldn't dare make generalizations but, for some, it is a way for the Groom's side to treat the wedding party before the wedding day (which traditionally is provided by the bride's family).
Well, do you think that everyone in America either sleeps with everyone on the first date or waits until marriage? Come on. I got a big laugh out of that one! Thanks!
Let me assure you that everyone is America is NOT super skinny.
Posted by caraher on March 17, 2007, at 4:54:08
In reply to Re: American culture...help me please understand! » Meri-Tuuli, posted by madeline on March 16, 2007, at 16:19:46
> Let me assure you that everyone is America is NOT super skinny.
To "amplify" this point, an English friend of mine was visiting several years ago and couldn't help but notice and remark that there are an awful lot of truly enormous people here in America. And another time, he came with a friend of his (rather obese himself) and one of the things that most impressed his friend about the US was the large portion sizes of restaurant meals.
Which shows, once again, how Hollywood and TV are fantasy worlds...
Posted by Poet on March 17, 2007, at 9:48:42
In reply to American culture...help me please understand!, posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 16, 2007, at 14:53:39
Hi Meri-Tuuli,
Speaking only for myself there is definitely middle ground as to when to jump into bed with someone, I always applied the three date rule, but that's me.
I wish I were ultra-skinny, and maybe if I had the cash for a personal trainer and liposuction I could look like the women on Desperate Housewives. There are no ultra-thin women in my water aerobics classes, including the instructor.
I got married on the beach in Hawaii, so I didn't do a full blown wedding with a rehearsal dinner. I have trouble understanding spending a lot of money on weddings- period.
Poet
Posted by Kath on March 17, 2007, at 11:46:25
In reply to American culture...help me please understand!, posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 16, 2007, at 14:53:39
Hi Meri T
I'm Canadian, but have visited in the US various times.
It seems to me that more people are having the prewedding dinner than in past years, but also lots of people are having very 'alternative' weddings....whether in "pioneer village" churches (like me 13 years ago), or in a field by a stream, or at the beach or wherever.
As to sex & skinny ........ I do NOT think you can go by the movies at all. I don't know about the sex aspect, but certainly most people aren't even thin, to say nothing of ultra thin.
:') Kath
Posted by broken on March 17, 2007, at 20:03:46
In reply to American culture...help me please understand!, posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 16, 2007, at 14:53:39
> What is that dinner thing people have before a wedding? It looks like a bigger celebration than the wedding! And people give speeches and stuff......don't they bother at the wedding reception?
Yep, the groom's dinner/rehearsal dinner. eh, just another night to celebrate I guess. I had one.
>
> And, well it seems to me that either a) everyone jumps into bed with each other on their first dates or b) they're totally ultraconservative and are waiting til their wedding nights. There's no middle ground there. Perhaps its just the movies.
>Definitely middle ground in my experience. I've personally experienced sex on the first date, third date, and after waiting quite some time. I think that's personal preference for anyone.
> I suppose likewise judging by the TV shows we see over here, I expect all American's to be ultra-skinny (as in: Desperate Housewives, Sex and the City, Friends, pretty much all movies.....)Its a strange view to be honest.
>Ultra skinny, I don't think so. My wife is certainly petite. 5ft 2 inches (1.57 meters) 115 lbs (52 kilo) Hopefully the conversion is right. I'm similarly unremarkable.
Posted by Declan on March 20, 2007, at 22:44:18
In reply to Re: American culture...help me please understand!, posted by caraher on March 17, 2007, at 4:54:08
Didn't Gore Vidal say that America didn't have any culture?
Please don't feel put down. We don't have that much of it here.
Posted by Dinah on March 21, 2007, at 10:57:56
In reply to Re: American culture...help me please understand!, posted by Declan on March 20, 2007, at 22:44:18
Speak for yourself, if you wish.
We in New Orleans, and Southern Louisiana in general, have a quite splendid culture.
Posted by zazenduckie on March 21, 2007, at 12:46:13
In reply to Re: American culture...help me please understand!, posted by Declan on March 20, 2007, at 22:44:18
well I'm sure Monsieur Vidal meant it in the nicest way possible.
He said that Americans never learn, that's part of our charm.
O blessed land of new beginnings and original thought and eternal rebirth!
If only we had kangaroos we'd be perfect.
> Didn't Gore Vidal say that America didn't have any culture?
>
> Please don't feel put down. We don't have that much of it here.
Posted by Declan on March 22, 2007, at 3:32:47
In reply to Re: American culture...help me please understand! » Declan, posted by zazenduckie on March 21, 2007, at 12:46:13
I've been regretting my post ever since I wrote it and I'm glad things are no worse than they are.
But Americans should not be sensitive. You have poetry and music, do you not?
This is the end of the thread.
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