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I asked my roommates the other day for a list of traits that they felt were uniquely American and one of the things they said was that Americans use the filler word ‘like’ a lot during conversations. I laughed because that so like, describes me you have like, no idea.
Ha. I’m so bad about using that word that I used to catch myself using it all the time when I lived in Germany. And even while I was speaking German! I’d be in the middle of a conversation about my plans for the evening, for instance, and I’d pause to search for a word or think of the best way to phrase something and out would pop, “like” and not the German word for like (wie) but the English one. As in, “Ich möchte, like, ins Kino gehen.”
Sometimes I’d catch myself and blush and then apologize to whomever I was talking to, which would then result in a lengthy explanation of what the word meant and why I used it so much. But more often than not, because the word is so deeply ingrained into my speech patterns, I wouldn’t notice I’d said anything out of the ordinary and would just continue on talking to the bafflement of my roommates, professors or random schniztel vendors.
I never used it in Japan though and haven’t caught myself saying it when I speak Spanish, but I think that’s because I don’t speak those languages very fluently. I still spend a good portion of each conversation I have in Spanish, carefully choosing my words and translating everything in my head before I say it outloud. Spanish hasn’t become automatic enough yet.
But anyway, some of the other traits my roommates offered up were that Americans are optimistic, enthusiastic, friendly and enjoy talking about themselves a lot.
After our conversation, I was curious as to how much of what they said was true, so I did a little research and decided to make a list, which I posted over at Bukisa. I titled it “You Might Be An American If…” and then listed 19 characteristics that I felt defined American culture. Some of them are ones I found off of this site and some were from my own observations. It’s in no way a thorough summary of American culture though and I tried to avoid most of the more obvious ones (like “fat” or “loud”, for example), but take a look and let me know what you think.
Are there any I should add?
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One of my Facebook friends, by the way, suggested that I incorporate one about how when Americans go to Italian or Chinese restaurants, they tend to order individually instead of ordering a few entres and then splitting them. They do that in Japan too (everyone shares their food) and that definitely took some getting used to when I first moved there. I never wanted to share!
Sounds fun, let me think. 20. When you say/think tea you mean sweetened ice tea. 21. You treat Europe like it’s one country.
@ Ania – Good ones! Here’s a funny youtube clip of American Idol’s Kellie Pickler on
“Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader?”. When asked which European country Budapest is the capital of, she looks confused and then says: “I thought Europe WAS a country…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEP7uti0PDw
I think the use of “like” and “oh my god” is mainly a west coast thing. I haven’t heard it used to the same extent elsewhere. Highly annoying.
@ Jason – I find it annoying when I hear others use it, too. But alas, it’s a really tough habit to break! : ) Although it originated in San Fernando Valley in California, I don’t think it’s just a West coast thing since I use it and I’m from Hawaii.
Where are you from?
I grew up in the Midwest and New England and never heard it there. When I moved to San Francisco, I really noticed it.
Hmm, I’d have to disagree with the comment about the average American thinking Europe is a country. I mean, there are some rare cases, but I think you’ll find many more people who don’t get the distinctions between Latin American and African countries. I think it’s super common to find Americans who’ll go all over Europe and maybe throw in Japan or Australia but will never set food in a poor Asian, African or Latin American country (with the exception of resorts) and have no clue about the countries in those regions.