03-24-2013, 11:54 AM | #21 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
It's killer for some other Slavs. I remember a kid from Moscow not being able to differentiate between my g and my h. It was you who asked me about recommended methods of studying [English] language, right? I'm still willing to revive the general discussion along that topic, but it's definitely geekrule/genchat material.
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03-25-2013, 04:48 AM | #22 | |
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Meifumado
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
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Collaborative Settings: Cyberpunk: Duopoly Nation Space Opera: Behind the King's Eclipse And heaps of forum collabs, 30+ and counting! |
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03-25-2013, 05:25 AM | #23 |
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
It is the little things that make fitting in complicated.
I found the deference of American waitstaff in New York to be... rather creepy and I'm told that my manner was rather more abrupt than they would be used to. There's the story of the German infiltrator in wartime Britain who didn't know that you couldn't go into a pub and ask for a coffee in the mid-morning and expect anything other than blank astonishment. (Then I mean: things have changed.) It's really the things that the locals 'know' without ever having being told them that trip you up though. I recently read an American book which had someone who was supposed to be British refer to 'the Royal Army' which is just wrong. (It's the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines. Why isn't it the Royal Army but rather the British Army? Can you say without looking it up?)
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Michael Cule,
Genius for Hire, Gaming Dinosaur Second Class |
03-25-2013, 05:37 AM | #24 |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
On yesterday's session's conference which the whole team attended, our 'Japanese' friend made a rather outrageous claim about being able to write an impressive piece of software from scratch (implicitly in less than 3 days, and implicitly with a usual retail price around $5k). My character made a 'braggart' (Tengu Nose) gesture in plain sight. Said 'Japanese' showed zero reaction. Even Empathy reading showed absolutely nothing. I'm pretty sure he's not who he pretends to be. Looking for more ways to check it out.
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03-25-2013, 06:05 AM | #25 |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Augsburg, Germany
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
I once ordered a "regular" coffee in New York City, expecting to get black coffee. In NYC, "regular" means with cream and sugar. And I grew up in Boston, practically next door by American standards.
Can I warm that up for you, hon? |
03-25-2013, 06:08 AM | #26 |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Augsburg, Germany
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
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03-25-2013, 07:34 AM | #27 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
I would imagine that it is because regiments of infantry are usually regarded as being the personal property of their colonels whereas ships, airplanes, big guns, and such are property of the crown. Her Majesty's Ship and all.
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03-25-2013, 07:34 AM | #28 |
Icelandic - Approach With Caution
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Reykjavík, Iceland
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
It has to do with the Civil War, and Parliament.
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03-25-2013, 07:45 AM | #29 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Augsburg, Germany
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
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German Kindergarteners and elementary school kids of both genders still do that sometimes. Edit: it may be a bit of a cultural comment to talk about Kindergarteners "marching" :-) Last edited by trans; 03-25-2013 at 07:48 AM. Reason: punct |
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03-25-2013, 07:52 AM | #30 | |
GURPS FAQ Keeper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Kyïv, Ukraine
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Re: Subtle / obscure signs for identifying native CF
Quote:
It does happen in junior (1-4) school, and in the kindergarden before that. |
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Tags |
cultural familiarity, roleplaying |
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