Germans vs Brits: Who's ruder? ;-)

Funny little article. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13545386

I must have a little bit German in me, because DH and I have had...ahem...misunderstandings before when he thought I was too direct, forgetting to say things like "would you mind...?" or "could you do me a favour...?" 

Shouldn't it be Germans vs. Yorks.?? Don't Tykes have the reputation of being blunt to the point of rudeness   

Shouldn't it be Germans vs. Yorks.?? Don't Tykes have the reputation of being blunt to the point of rudeness    

And the Dutch - let's not leave them out!  

I have a giggle with MLG from time to time over the Dutch: "That is not possible."  Like when I mistakenly sat in a (completely empty) First Class carriage on the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal - not recognising or knowing it was First Class, and the conductor looked at my ticket & told me, "That is not possible."  (I apologised for not noticing & pleaded my ignorance, of course, after she explained further.)  But it was possible, because there I was, sitting there...  

She cut me a break - maybe it was because I was wearing white socks?  

 

I'd say about the same only the Germans are more direct and the British are more sarcastic. The Germans have no sense of humour mind you which make us the winners at everything always, thank you and goodnight

Actually I can't resist: Al Murray "Tvinkle, tvinkle, little STAARRRRRR!" Perfectly pitched.

And the Dutch - let's not leave them out!  

I have a giggle with MLG from time to time over the Dutch: "That is not possible."  Like when I mistakenly sat in a (completely empty) First Class carriage on the train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal - not recognising or knowing it was First Class, and the conductor looked at my ticket & told me, "That is not possible."  (I apologised for not noticing & pleaded my ignorance, of course, after she explained further.)  But it was possible, because there I was, sitting there...  

She cut me a break - maybe it was because I was wearing white socks?  

Sometimes the Dutch can be 'quirky' to put in a way that doesn't sound too offensive.  We know loads of Dutch (and most are our friends) because the place we go to in Ireland is owned partly by a Dutch woman and many of the clientele are Dutch.

I think that saying 'that is impossible' for something that is not allowed is a translation thing that just sounds funny to native English speakers.  Like when your asked if you would like 'gassy or flat' water. 

Yeah, it's still funny though, and MLG heard it all the time when she lived & worked there.  The Dutch are such fabulous multi-linguists, surely they could come up with a better translation after all this time. 

After our experience on holiday in Tunisia last year - I'd say the Russians.

But there are rude people of all nationalities, I don't think it's a trait of one nationality or another.

After our experience on holiday in Tunisia last year - I'd say the Russians.

But there are rude people of all nationalities, I don't think it's a trait of one nationality or another.

While this is true, there are definitly some traits that are sort of indiginous to certain countries.  This doesn't nessicarily make them good or bad traits.  When traveling I often have to remind myself that while my background makes me feel that a person has been rude, their background might having them thinking that I've been the rude one.