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Post by Alvamiga on Jan 21, 2013 20:28:45 GMT
The boss at work made a big deal recently that I write e-mails with just content and signature. He insisted that it was the polite thing to do to put "Good morning" or whatever at the top (which I find annoying if people just do it as a matter of course). I couldn't be bothered to argue with him so I just do it now. I don't send enough external e-mails to matter.  |
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Post by tangent on Jan 22, 2013 0:09:11 GMT
I know that, but words like thank you or I am sorry have important other meanings. I think using them as protocol detracts from their value. Yes, fair point. |
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Post by Miisa on Jan 22, 2013 9:58:49 GMT
ETA: Next page/cross-post NM.  --------------------------------- So when we exchange "please" and "thank you", it doesn't mean that we are being polite or insincere, it simply means we have adopted those words as a form of protocol to make communication easier. What I am saying is that to people of other cultures where the communication is very different, those words mean what you actually say, and you can therefore come off to them as insincere. Much like the American customs of inviting someone over, to most Europeans, and especially Finns, that is not something you just throw around, if you say it, you mean it. The problems with cultural cross-communication have less to do with language and much to do with customs and, as you say, protocols. We need protocol droids to translate, even when we speak the same languages. That is what they are really for, I think. |
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Post by Fr. Gruesome on Jan 22, 2013 11:03:44 GMT
I see Mari's point - although I am not sure that I completely agree. In Austria and Switzerland there is a kind of 'thank-you inflation' on account of an excess of courtesy Bitte & Danke are used much as Tangent, sorry Mein Leibe Herr Tangente, describes so to indicate that really are grateful the additional expressions get used.
Viele, Viele Dank: many, many thanks
Dankeschoene: Sweet or beautiful thanks
Dankesehr: much gratitude
And so on. They are also overly fond of titles, this seems to happen a little in the north as well, but some of my Austrian correspondents cannot bring themselves to address me as less than Pfarer Magister Magister ... it gets wearisome!!
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Post by tangent on Jan 22, 2013 11:55:31 GMT
Sarah found the use of 'love', 'darling', 'dearie', 'sweetheart' rather strange on her first visit to the UK. "She called me 'love' but she doesn't even know me."
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Post by Miisa on Jan 22, 2013 11:58:06 GMT
Heh, we never use titles at all, it is considered very pretentious. Not even Mr/Ms. Occasionally there will be a Doctor, but only if the situation merits it (i.e. they are introduced as an expert on the matter because they have a PhD).
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Post by Fr. Gruesome on Jan 22, 2013 13:57:50 GMT
I think that I would be much more comfortable with that Miisa, most people just call me Gruesome, only the older (and more traditional) put the Fr. in front and I never put my postnomials, except on my business notepaper where they are part of the sales pitch for an academic researcher!
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Post by Alvamiga on Jan 22, 2013 19:23:04 GMT
I use FrG as it's less typing and looks like the word Frog!  |
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Post by Fr. Gruesome on Jan 22, 2013 23:37:43 GMT
Horrid child!
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Post by Shake on Jan 23, 2013 2:45:20 GMT
We need protocol droids to translate, even when we speak the same languages. That is what they are really for, I think. Owen: I have no need for a protocol droid. C3P0: Of course you don't sir, which is why I have been programmed ... Owen: What I really need is a droid who understands the binary language of moisture evaporators. C3P0: Evaporators? Sir, my first job was programming binary load letters, very similar to your evaporators in most respects. Owen: Can you speak Bocce? C3P0: Of course I can, sir. It's like a second language to me... (from memory - and it always comes to mind whenever I hear someone say, "What I really need is...") |
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Post by Alvamiga on Jan 23, 2013 9:15:47 GMT
I meant it in an affectionate way!  |
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Post by Fr. Gruesome on Jan 23, 2013 9:34:47 GMT
That frog is wearing a blue clerical collar ... it must be an *shudders* evangelical ...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2013 13:54:39 GMT
And I don't think it can move with that huge cross!
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