I come from the Land of Two Random Letters

[RCR]

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.

[Bilbo1967]

Good point, thanks for making it so lucidly.

My favourite example of this from just a few days ago was a new member who described their location as 'Mid Atlantic'. On being asked whether they were on a ship or something, they 'explained' that they meant Delmarva actually - so there you go, clear as mud to us non-Americans.

NB. Delmarva is apparently a peninsula in the US made up of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia - but, of course, you knew that.

By the way, I should point out that this is not meant to be a dig at that new member - it's easy to forget that not everybody will understand American (or English, or Australian, for that matter) abbreviations/colloquialisms.

[dsvick]

Originally Posted by RCR

Now, I'm sure Americans will immediately know where ZX is.

Aha, I know what the problem is, the person that said they were from ZX was yanking your chain - there is no ZX...

Ok, sorry, I had too. You do bring up a good point though, I would have to assume that some of it is just plain inertia, while some of it is just not even realizing that someone could not know where ZX was.

[daffy4u]

Both HarryT and WDE pointed out to me that my use of "CA" could be interpreted multiple ways, so about a week ago I changed my location.

[Sparrow]

I don't mind obscure abbreviations myself - I got over that in my teen years after watching some US TV shows, and then spending many fruitless hours looking for a place called Ellay in my atlas.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I don't mind obscure abbreviations myself - I got over that in my teen years after watching some US TV shows, and then spending many fruitless hours looking for a place called Ellay in my atlas.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

hours looking for a place called Ellay in my atlas.

I just got it.

[clarknova]

Originally Posted by RCR

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.

Not for nothing, but I don't see how this matters. If you don't know enough about the standard postal codes of US states, then would you know enough about the cultural differences between states to make this relevant?

As an example, everything I know about Australia was gathered by watching Paul Hogan, Yahoo Serious, the Wiggles and old Ozploitation films; it wouldn't make any difference to me if your profile said Melbourne, Perth or Brisbane. I'm not trying to be insensitive, just admitting that my own ignorance makes further detail unnecessary.

However, your point about Americentrism is correct and well-taken. I find myself often falling into those trappings, and continually try to remember how uncool that is.

Originally Posted by RCR

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.

Honestly, I think that leaves most Americans lost as well.

[Patricia]

Not for nothing, but I don't see how this matters. If you don't know enough about the standard postal codes of US states, then would you know enough about the cultural differences between states to make this relevant?

Here I am after a day at work in snowy CF24. My partner tells me that CF37 is even snowier. And a daughter at NP20 claims the same.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by Patricia

Here I am after a day at work in snowy CF24. My partner tells me that CF37 is even snowier. And a daughter at NP20 claims the same.

No snow yet in B90 but it's probably on the way. Just hoping it's clear in NE1 next week when I have to drive up there (via LS14).

[vivaldirules]

Good point, RCR. So I have edited my profile details. But may I just say that this seems odd coming from someone who could say he was from "Melbourne, OZ" and everyone would have known exactly what you meant.

[kindlekitten]

*oops* our bad! my Olympic Penninsula is from the "other Washington". Washington State. other side of the country, bigger, prettier, cleaner and ever so much mor polite!

[wayrad]

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I don't mind obscure abbreviations myself - I got over that in my teen years after watching some US TV shows, and then spending many fruitless hours looking for a place called Ellay in my atlas.

You should have looked in Tim Powers' Dinner at Deviant's Palace instead. Although his Ellay is strangely altered...

[lilac_jive]

Lilac_jive from PA will consider your request.

[kennyc]

What's an Australia?