In 2004, when I was living in London, I watched, with increasing hilarity, a news panel spend *20 minutes* discussing whether a non-Christian could be elected to higher office in the United States.
My companions didn't get the joke, and answering it made me laugh harder, until finally I was able to wipe the tears away and say "I don't know, perhaps we could ask Senator Lieberman for his thoughts."
It is weird to see common english words in quotes, or used as if they were a specific kind of the thing, instead of a general equivalent to that word in French or Spanish.
It is weird to read foreign fiction and encounter their caricature stock American characters--and weirder as you leave the anglosphere, where at least the stereotypes are recognizable and they give the caricatures a little personality.
But maybe it's unavoidable to some extent ... and it certainly doesn't offend me.
I rather enjoy it, actually--like catching sight of yourself in a funhouse mirror.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
