70
When other countries say Americans are loud, what does this mean? (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
72 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I read people say online that Americans are loud. What does this mean, exactly? Is it literal volume or is it our personality/presentation? Something else?

I may be moving to Australia because of my wife’s job, and I want to better understand this. I want to assimilate and I don’t want to be annoying. I’m personally pretty low key and listen more than speak, but this is my perception of myself.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 14 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (4 children)

I've been told by non-Americans that Americans (myself included):

  • Laugh very loudly and frequently
  • Are too effusive / enthusiastic (in a way that comes off as inauthentic)
  • Tend to butt in frequently
  • Lean on things (this isn't about loudness but once it was pointed out to me I can't not see it. We almost never stand up straight. I tried to stop and it felt like I was standing at attention, I didn't care for it so I went back to leaning)

edit: since you mentioned Australia, I'll point out that I've heard this primarily from European, Indian and Southeast Asian software developers I've worked with. I've worked with fewer Australians, and as far as I can recall we never discussed American stereotypes directly, but my impression is that they're much closer to the US culturally, loudness / brashness-wise. Curious to hear from Aussies if you think my impression is correct.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 14 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    There's a whole wikipedia article about the "American lean." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_lean

    American spies are trained not to do it.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    That's very funny. Has it really been a "thing" recently? I feel like it's been years since I've heard someone mention it. Maybe it got subliminally resurfaced.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] [S] 3 points 5 months ago

    I definitely agree that many Americans butt in frequently. As someone that tends to be more of an observer, the moments I do talk o tend to get cut off and it’s annoying as absolute fuck.

    I never thought about the leaning on things. I’m a bigger dude, which is probably mostly because of my poor choices, but I do know that I lean on things a lot to relieve stress on other body parts. That really comes down to needing to lose weight and lose my bad habits.

    Thanks for this comment!

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent