MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - I come from the Land of Two Random Letters

RCR · 01-12-2010, 03:43 PM

I must be feeling especially grumpy this morning because I'm no longer going to hold my tongue. I want to have a rant about something that's been bugging me for a long long time -

It's folk who introduce themselves as "Hello, I'm from Everytown, ZX."

Now, I'm sure Americans will immediately know where ZX is. But as a non-American, first I have to figure out this poster is from the United States of America, but isn't saying that, because they assume everyone else on the forum is American. Then I have to figure out, with my limited knowledge of US geography, what American state the letters ZX stand for.

And don't get me started on folk who write such things as: "I'm from the good old Green Melon State. Yay the Hawks!". That leaves most non-Americans completely lost.

Could I make a plea - that everyone clearly name the town, state and country they come from. Don't assume we're all Americans. Don't assume we know what ZX means. Don't assume we know where the Green Melon State is and what sports the Hawks play.

On another forum I belong to, a country flag appears under the member's avatar and profile. This gives readers an idea of where the person is posting from, what is influencing their point of view, and what is influencing their use of the English language. And all those different flags are a constant reminder of how truly international that forum is.

Rant over.

01-12-2010, 03:43 PM	#1
RCR Addict Posts: 334 Karma: 992487 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: 2 x Sony 505, iPad, Samsung 7 Tablet, ASUS Transformer, Nexus 7	I come from the Land of Two Random Letters I must be feeling especially grumpy this morning because I'm no longer going to hold my tongue. I want to have a rant about something that's been bugging me for a long long time - It's folk who introduce themselves as "Hello, I'm from Everytown, ZX." Now, I'm sure Americans will immediately know where ZX is. But as a non-American, first I have to figure out this poster is from the United States of America, but isn't saying that, because they assume everyone else on the forum is American. Then I have to figure out, with my limited knowledge of US geography, what American state the letters ZX stand for. And don't get me started on folk who write such things as: "I'm from the good old Green Melon State. Yay the Hawks!". That leaves most non-Americans completely lost. Could I make a plea - that everyone clearly name the town, state and country they come from. Don't assume we're all Americans. Don't assume we know what ZX means. Don't assume we know where the Green Melon State is and what sports the Hawks play. On another forum I belong to, a country flag appears under the member's avatar and profile. This gives readers an idea of where the person is posting from, what is influencing their point of view, and what is influencing their use of the English language. And all those different flags are a constant reminder of how truly international that forum is. Rant over.