tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post4727829307531885364..comments2023-07-05T09:38:23.624+01:00Comments on The Half-Dipper: An Englishman in New York (Montana)Hobbeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-30062321833552883922008-03-26T22:59:00.000+00:002008-03-26T22:59:00.000+00:00Dear Christina,I'm sure I managed to offend folk b...Dear Christina,<BR/><BR/>I'm sure I managed to offend folk before we even got to the dinner table, fear not. :)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Toodlepip,<BR/><BR/>HobbesHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-81912436842614327732008-03-26T03:14:00.000+00:002008-03-26T03:14:00.000+00:00I have to wonder: who was giving offense to whom? ...I have to wonder: who was giving offense to whom? You were after all in the U.S. Perhaps your table manners appeared barbaric to others in the room?<BR/><BR/>I was positively drilled in the skillful use of knife and fork American style, not to mention a certain delicacy (not talking with food in mouth, for example).<BR/><BR/>But you are certainly right: collectively we are a fat and greedy lot.<Christina Hauckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12784324145480965665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-57190795448049233042008-03-18T08:47:00.000+00:002008-03-18T08:47:00.000+00:00Being aware of a cultural difference, unfortunatel...Being aware of a cultural difference, unfortunately, doesn't remove the highly negative first impression that can arise. It was interesting to see the reaction of Europeans to Americans at the dinner table was more or less constant, despite the fact that (I'm sure) everyone knows what is acceptable between Americans.<BR/><BR/>My point being, it's probably better to err on the side of avoiding Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-28632722417536323362008-03-18T04:43:00.000+00:002008-03-18T04:43:00.000+00:00Ah, but if you're aware that it's a cultural diffe...Ah, but if you're aware that it's a cultural difference, then it shouldn't offend you, because you can write that down as a cultural difference, not a deliberate insult.<BR/><BR/>It should only offend you (or other Europeans) if they don't realize it's a cultural difference. <BR/><BR/>When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Wouldn't that mean that the Europeans hanging out in Montana should get usedMarshalNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16776398824139018801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-46435646422428205412008-03-17T20:05:00.000+00:002008-03-17T20:05:00.000+00:00Dear Marshaln,I think this goes back to the answer...Dear Marshaln,<BR/><BR/>I think this goes back to the answer above - it's more about the cultural <I>difference</I> that's important. If one is just eating with friends or colleagues from the same culture, there's no reason for thought. <BR/><BR/>The trouble occurs when a cultural difference causes offense or bad first impressions on one side. As I said above, I'm fairly sure that everyone Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-48117200437257429832008-03-16T17:10:00.000+00:002008-03-16T17:10:00.000+00:00Not that I'm usually an apologist for Americans, b...Not that I'm usually an apologist for Americans, but I do think there's a point worth making here.<BR/><BR/>When I grew up in Hong Kong I remember learing about etiquettes, and when it came to food, there were two styles that we sort of learned (we're talking about knife + fork combo here). There was the European and American styles. European means that you cut one piece at a time, use your MarshalNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16776398824139018801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-44873590746040815382008-03-15T04:16:00.000+00:002008-03-15T04:16:00.000+00:00Dear Mike,I'm only with you half of the way there:...Dear Mike,<BR/><BR/>I'm only with you half of the way there: I have very much come to admire the character of many of the people I've met here; it's robust, unaffected, straightforward, and very enjoyable.<BR/><BR/>Gluttony I can see, but then again: I've been exercising hard 8 hours per day, taking only two meals, trying to select the healthiest options on menus, and have STILL managed to put onHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-4814349302635589062008-03-13T14:41:00.000+00:002008-03-13T14:41:00.000+00:00durn in, meghan, i've asked you repeatedly not to ...durn in, meghan, i've asked you repeatedly not to refer to me as a strange tea hooligan!<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/><BR/>mikeshichangpuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043661750037862240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-12634616197881277542008-03-13T04:14:00.000+00:002008-03-13T04:14:00.000+00:00David and I have a "don't ask don't tell" policy w...David and I have a "don't ask don't tell" policy when it comes to tea. I figure if we still have space in our tiny apartment to sit down to a properly served family dinner, and no strange tea hooligans are knocking down our door threatening to break kneecaps, then he is doint alright. right?Meghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03149979955744198525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-56519494158185876822008-03-13T01:57:00.000+00:002008-03-13T01:57:00.000+00:00hello, hobbes, and welcome to the revolutionary wi...hello, hobbes, and welcome to the revolutionary wilds of the united states of gluttony.<BR/><BR/>it may be helpful to think of your time in montana (and the u.s. in general) as somewhat akin to an anthropological exploration of a "primitive" culture. sadly, the dissonance you've experienced may well be the result of some expectation, however delusional, that stateside culture is "civilized." shichangpuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043661750037862240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-64316690480421696632008-03-13T00:16:00.000+00:002008-03-13T00:16:00.000+00:00"I'm thinking of taking it to the extreme, and ble..."I'm thinking of taking it to the extreme, and blending all my meals for a week. No cutlery required whatsoever, just a straw."<BR/><BR/>Extreme? Not so much. Between protein shakes and fruit smoothies, we're well accustomed to liquid meals. :)Brenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07624029379597567958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-69458258269993386652008-03-12T22:55:00.000+00:002008-03-12T22:55:00.000+00:00Dear Nada,Thanks for the link! I'll read it often...Dear Nada,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the link! I'll read it often! Have a very safe trip; I know your eventual destination will be lucky to receive you.<BR/><BR/>We're in Montana for just over two weeks in total, and will be back in England on Monday, just as you head out to see John.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear Meghan,<BR/><BR/>It's a real pleasure to (virtually) meet you, Mrs. L! How do you keep Dave's teaHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-82750885850095117692008-03-12T19:28:00.000+00:002008-03-12T19:28:00.000+00:00Let me point out that Meghan is also known as Mrs....Let me point out that Meghan is also known as Mrs. Davelcorp. And yes, she almost wept with joy upon reading your tirade.<BR/><BR/>I will not cut food into cubes...<BR/>I will not cut food into cubes...<BR/>I will not cut food into cubes...David Lessepshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03234300419505907712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-2338926161763786992008-03-12T18:37:00.000+00:002008-03-12T18:37:00.000+00:00As a person who was raised to eat like a civilized...As a person who was raised to eat like a civilized human being (in New Hampshire, which is a whole different kind of wilderness than Montana) I almost wept with understanding as I read your entry. It has inspired me to try to improve my current eating situation, which unfortunately is comprised of far too too many spoons and not nearly enough forks.Meghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03149979955744198525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-76888216245125531672008-03-12T17:34:00.000+00:002008-03-12T17:34:00.000+00:00Dear Hobbes,Not long indeed... I leave for HK on M...Dear Hobbes,<BR/><BR/>Not long indeed... I leave for HK on Monday & plan to meet up with John (chawu.blogspot.com) for some tea about a week after that.<BR/><BR/>I hope to share my tea adventures at aFelicificlife.blogspot.com. Please feel free to drop by if you wish - your comments and views would be most welcome.<BR/><BR/>How long does your trip to the US last?<BR/><BR/>nada.nadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966294853851019976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-89849522446401246642008-03-12T15:51:00.000+00:002008-03-12T15:51:00.000+00:00The 4 races is a derivative pasquinade, that has s...The 4 races is a derivative pasquinade, that has see a few embellishments over time, there is also a mainland European one, but that memory file is locked at the moment. john小 約翰https://www.blogger.com/profile/04861553091860759609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-82022283615448534182008-03-12T14:25:00.000+00:002008-03-12T14:25:00.000+00:00Dear Nada,Have you left for your own travels yet? ...Dear Nada,<BR/><BR/>Have you left for your own travels yet? I remember it won't be too long now...<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear Scotto,<BR/><BR/>I'm amazed how many of Tocqueville's conclusions are still valid; it feels as if society is changing rapidly all over the world, but the core morals that he describes are still present, and the mechanisms with which they come about still seem to explain them wellHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-86994735231039896742008-03-12T13:52:00.000+00:002008-03-12T13:52:00.000+00:00I think that Tocqueville need not fear his legacy ...I think that Tocqueville need not fear his legacy with this article... ;-)<BR/><BR/>More importantly, how was the Xizihao?Scottohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04656973438961641057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-8862536795861008112008-03-12T08:17:00.000+00:002008-03-12T08:17:00.000+00:00When in Rome... ;)(I'm not sure I could advocate t...When in Rome... ;)<BR/><BR/>(I'm not sure I could advocate the wastefulness or the overeating, but perhaps you're being rude by not cutting your food into cubes! How insensitive.)<BR/><BR/>Despite the decanned worms, i did raise a smile while reading your post & enjoyed your honest impressions. <BR/><BR/>nada.nadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966294853851019976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-30292847970444576642008-03-12T01:06:00.000+00:002008-03-12T01:06:00.000+00:00HobbesThank you for your gracious acceptance of my...Hobbes<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your gracious acceptance of my harsh comments. Whereas I did not like much like the article, my own sharp reaction to it was written in haste and quickly regretted. (It's an Irish-Catholic-Australian thing, as I hope you'll understand.)<BR/><BR/>And you're right: Maria was Greek both by parentage and by later citizenship. My apologies again.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-41870271802811896572008-03-11T23:58:00.000+00:002008-03-11T23:58:00.000+00:00Dear Rob,Many thanks for the comments. Maria Call...Dear Rob,<BR/><BR/>Many thanks for the comments. <BR/><BR/>Maria Callas took Greek nationality in 1966. That makes her Greek, non? <BR/><BR/><BR/>Toodlepip,<BR/><BR/>HobbesHobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-34725385836663376722008-03-11T22:45:00.000+00:002008-03-11T22:45:00.000+00:00Reminds me of so much I dislike in the puerh scene...Reminds me of so much I dislike in the puerh scene: the prissy elitism, the florid yet clumsy prose, the self-conscious whimsy passing for wit...<BR/><BR/>And, no, I am not American. However, Maria Callas was American, born in New York, with a Brooklyn accent, as any opera-lover can tell you.<BR/><BR/>Rob in AustraliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-5503768851175615812008-03-11T13:42:00.000+00:002008-03-11T13:42:00.000+00:00Dear Dave,Bless your pizza slice and all who sail ...Dear Dave,<BR/><BR/>Bless your pizza slice and all who sail in her.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear John,<BR/><BR/>Great quote! I did some digging, not having heard it before. Is it George Bernard Shaw? One site gave the following, which I love:<BR/><BR/><B><BR/>The British are made up of four races:<BR/><BR/>- The Welsh, who pray on their knees and their neighbors;<BR/><BR/>- The Scots, who keep the Hobbeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719619695211038389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-11245910870369255732008-03-11T05:32:00.000+00:002008-03-11T05:32:00.000+00:00“As a prelude, let me state for the record that I ...“As a prelude, let me state for the record that I am fully aware of the shortcomings of England and the English” David, I am reminded of an old: “While the Scots hold the Sabbath holly and anything else they can get their hands on, The English confess to being self-made Men, and that has relieved the Lord of an awesome responsibility.” Enjoyed the read .. john小 約翰https://www.blogger.com/profile/04861553091860759609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-753589427119541238.post-20282502521649266892008-03-11T05:20:00.000+00:002008-03-11T05:20:00.000+00:00***Burps. Wipes mouth with sleeve. Small bite of...***Burps. Wipes mouth with sleeve. Small bite of baby seal fall out of his mouth and goes unnoticed amongst the pile of half-eaten burgers and pizza on his plate***<BR/><BR/>"Here Here! Well said DC!"David Lessepshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03234300419505907712noreply@blogger.com