Comments on: Culture shock

By: Also John

Also John — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:19:45 +0000

In America we also say, “Oh really” or just “really” in a disdainful way ending the syllable “ly” with a down inflection (or putting more emphasis on the first syllable). It is a way of saying that you don’t believe what was just said or that you do not approve.

For example:
“The Cubs are going to win the World Series.”
“Oh really” (There will be snowballs in Hell before that happens)

There was an entire segment on Saturday Night Live built around this saying, where statements made by public figures where refuted by starting out, “Oh really”.

By: Blackeye

Blackeye — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:08:50 +0000

@ Jenny:
Nope Jenny - that’s not the meaning. In our English-speaking community we often use the word ‘doch’ as a response to a negative statement that we disagree with. For example:

“It’s not going to rain today”
“Doch” (”Oh, yes it is” or “Take a look at the black clouds behind us … “)

“She’s not put on an ounce since getting married”
“Doch” (”Oh, yes she has” or “My dear, are are you totally blind?”)

I vote that we officially introduce ‘doch’ into the English language. It’s incredibly useful and without an equivalent.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:53:21 +0000

Couldn’t you just say “of course” if you want to say “doch”?
Perhaps you need more emphasis in your voice to sound more like doch..^^
(like “Of course I’m right!”)

By: Brynhild

Brynhild — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:08:10 +0000

“Germany produces some of the worst software ever created, i.e. SAP. ”

I told a friend of mine about that comment, and he just said that’s a bunch of baloney. SAP is one of the most reliable and effective software producer, as stated by him.
He happens to work there, though.

By: Florian

Florian — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:34:20 +0000

Also many Germans use web.de, which is more horrible than GMX

By: GermanInDiaspora

GermanInDiaspora — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:44:53 +0000

Just as a hint for all the homecoming Computer-Addicted Americans…
I am living (as a German) in Japan. And I get my c’t homedelivered! And the oncosts are really reasonable (ca. 11 Euro per year)! For me it is always a happy event when it arrives (try to watch the japanese TV and
you will understand — and it is not a language problem…)

Btw: It was exactly that magazine, which braught me to this page.

By: Stefan W.

Stefan W. — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:00:13 +0000

Yeah, but it’s just a Hobbit slang version of the Sindarin (Elvish) name fot the river “Baranduin”.

They just didn’t understand the original word and came up with something similar.

By: Bird of Prey

Bird of Prey — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:50:55 +0000

Brandywine? Isn’t that in the Shire??

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:51:47 +0000

@ Mike: you’re so right.

My American friend David was very grateful about the two 0,5 l Weizenbier glasses I brought to him from Germany (half a litre is about an eigth of a gallon). He missed wheat beer since his return to the U.S. after spending two years in Germany.

We went to a liquor store in Brandywine (close to the Pennsylvania-Maryland border) the other day to shop for some wheat beer. We found Erdinger, which was only available in 0,33 l bottles (a twelfth of a gallon).

It was good enough for us two, as we put the content of three bottles in two glasses. But for him alone, it’s awkward - you will neither get imported 0,5 l bottles (even in specialized stores), nor will you find 0,33 l wheat beer glasses…

Greeetz, Thomas

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:07:14 +0000

…and after all of the comments, not a single expat has said anything about the beer they most certainly miss upon returning to the States?

@john: please touch on the whole standing-in-line issue! I would, but quite honestly, I’m scared of the reaction.