I understand you. I don't like reading about "average" Americans either, because it makes me feel like other nationalities will read that and assume it means ALL Americans, and I hate it when people stereotype an entire group of people (especially based on articles they've read, news on TV, or just one or two people they've known from that group. That makes me very angry.)
Don't call yourself Kraut! That pains me on your behalf! *cringe* As Hamlet says, "I would not hear your enemy say so."
Haha, how weird that the company actually built a typical German sitting room in their offices! Wish we had that at my workplace instead of our stuffy, hot conference room with uncomfortable chairs.
Actually, these articles are really fascinating to someone who has never been to Germany before, and who has only known a handful of Germans personally, mostly university students who are a bit different from the general average, since they're usually broke and living somewhere temporary and not working jobs.
Average living room is painted yellow? Wow, really? That's interesting! Nobody here paints their living room yellow! (Well, I'm sure SOMEBODY does. I have a yellow bathroom - but I never would have chosen the color myself.) I do like seeing/reading things like that. It always fascinates me to look at people's houses in other countries, how they've decorated etc. Or shops like Ikea with such European-looking stuff. I do like that. It's like a modern anthropology study.
Which might be why my walls are white. Don't wanna paint someone else's walls, I'd only have to repaint once I move out. But yes, colourful walls are more nd more common here. My old room at home is a very pale blue (well, it has been since we build the house 20 years ago, so not so muc my decision, but still), and my younger sister painted her room apricot.
Still, I find white walls easier. Your furniture and decoration is less likely to clash with white walls, and it's easier to change the feel of the room by changing your pictures, the pots of your plants,...
Well, we do paint our walls colors here too, but yellow isn't the most popular. I don't really like yellow walls, because they reflect a yellow tinge onto everything else, including my skin, making me look jaundiced and ill. Apricot sounds like a much more healthy color. Pale blue or white the best (for me, anyway). :D It's frustrating because my yellow bathroom is where I put on my makeup, and where I look in the mirror the most, and there's always a yellow tinge. Hmph.
Oh yes, Ikea looks very European. At least, I think so. Hip cool European, trendy, different. Nothing else we have here looks like Ikea stuff, or if it does, "That looks like something from Ikea!" is a compliment. Because Ikea=cool and European=cool.
Exactly! And I know how strong those articles and stories influence our opinion, from my own experience. I have this picture in my head, about "the Americans". I know it's not true, or at least describes only a small part of you, because every single American I do know is not like that. But I just cannot get it out of my head. And if this is me, who knows better, then what must people think who don't nkow any American personally?
Sorry, I don't usually use deprecative terms like that. It just wet with the clichée and stereotype theme I had going, because what else is the term "Kraut" than a stereotype from WWII?
I've tried! And really, I do know better. But it's rooted somewhere really deep in my subconsciousness. A whole life growing up to articles, reports, shows taking about Vietnam, "worldpolice", spring break,... versus my few own experiences. *sigh* But at least I'm thinking of you in two groups now: "the Americans", and "people whom I know who just happen to be American". So, I'm getting there. Keep exposing my stubborn subconsciousness to you, and eventually I'll overcome this problem.
Don't call yourself Kraut! That pains me on your behalf! *cringe* As Hamlet says, "I would not hear your enemy say so."
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Average living room is painted yellow? Wow, really? That's interesting! Nobody here paints their living room yellow! (Well, I'm sure SOMEBODY does. I have a yellow bathroom - but I never would have chosen the color myself.) I do like seeing/reading things like that. It always fascinates me to look at people's houses in other countries, how they've decorated etc. Or shops like Ikea with such European-looking stuff. I do like that. It's like a modern anthropology study.
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Still, I find white walls easier. Your furniture and decoration is less likely to clash with white walls, and it's easier to change the feel of the room by changing your pictures, the pots of your plants,...
Wait, IKEA is European-looking? Really?
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Oh yes, Ikea looks very European. At least, I think so. Hip cool European, trendy, different. Nothing else we have here looks like Ikea stuff, or if it does, "That looks like something from Ikea!" is a compliment. Because Ikea=cool and European=cool.
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Hee. I'm cool.
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Sorry, I don't usually use deprecative terms like that. It just wet with the clichée and stereotype theme I had going, because what else is the term "Kraut" than a stereotype from WWII?
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Well, I suppose "Kraut" is a stereotype term, but it's a specifically derogatory term. Not just a general stereotype. I dunno.
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