Interesting article about different politeness codes in Germany and USA/GB/Canada

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by NatCh

It's not really a colloquialism, per se -- restaurants tend to arrange their meals in increasing order of price as you go from left to right on the menu. In the U.S., anyway, I don't have any idea about the rest of the world.

I never noticed that... and I eat out quite a bit. Most places I goto have the stuff devided in categories...

Starters
Salads
Beef
Chicken
Fish
Lite
Sandwiches
Burgers
Wraps
Pasta

whatever.

BOb

[NatCh]

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

thanks for the explanation, i didn't know that (although i'm a little disappointed ; it *sounds* like it could mean something colorful and unexpected... maybe we can make up a new meaning and mozzle our own colloquialism). is it something really common, that everybody knows over there ? i don't think it's the case here, although to be honest i've never really paid attention.

I don't really know how commonly known it is, actually ... it's not something that's really discussed, but folks seem to know about it when it comes up. I knew what was meant right off the first time I heard it, though I don't recall anyone ever telling me about it.

[HarryT]

We don't all have the benefit of being from Texas .

[NatCh]

Finally! You recognize the benefit!

[riwnodennyk]

haa… i believe this story however it looks like all Germans are simply impolite and all Anglo-Saxons are courteous paying no attention at the country of origin

[mores]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Eg, in Britain and the US, it's perfectly "acceptable" to walk into a shop, have a look around, and walk out again, while ignoring the serving staff. In France or Germany, if you don't say "Good Morning" (or whatever) when you walk into a shop, you'll be thought of as being amazingly rude!

Well that depends on where you do that. For example, if you're in the countryside in a town that has 200 inhabitants, when you walk into a store, you have to buy something. Walking in, looking around, walking out ... that's a big no-no
Most stores in big cities do not require you to interact with the staff unless it's necessary. Mom-and-Pop stores in urban Austria or Germany do

Originally Posted by cassidym

Finally, I learned to drink beer all day and not get drunk. German women pushed carts selling milk, sandwiches, pretzels and bottled beer around the factory floor all day. And most the workers kept a bottle by their work station starting around 11:00 taking sips all day. Yet I never saw anyone drunk.

I can't say this with absolute certainty, but apparently Beer is not considered an alcoholic beverage, but rather a "meal". Blue-collar workers are allowed a number of beers a day during working hours.
If you take a sip every couple of minutes, you'll end up with 2 or 3 bottles in your shift, which is not too bad. After a week or two of "training", you get used to it.
The only thing you need to take care of is not getting a beer-belly

Says he who is sitting in his office at 7:38pm ... with a beer

Originally Posted by riwnodennyk

haa… i believe this story however it looks like all Germans are simply impolite and all Anglo-Saxons are courteous paying no attention at the country of origin

Germans are not implite, they are honest. They don't tell you that you smell like a dead skunk. They might mention your "intense" odeur when you ask them, and say it's "interesting ... strong yet ... wild"

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by mores

\
I can't say this with absolute certainty, but apparently Beer is not considered an alcoholic beverage, but rather a "meal". Blue-collar workers are allowed a number of beers a day during working hours.
If you take a sip every couple of minutes, you'll end up with 2 or 3 bottles in your shift, which is not too bad. After a week or two of "training", you get used to it.
The only thing you need to take care of is not getting a beer-belly

Says he who is sitting in his office at 7:38pm ... with a beer

I have heard that: In Ireland a 7 course meal is a baked potato and a six-pack.

Dale

[mores]

I know you were joking, but I mean legally!
Like cops are not allowed to drink anything while on the job?
Carpenters, mechanics etc. are allowed to drink x beers during their shift!
How many, I don't know.