CharleyH
Curioser and curiouser
- Joined
- May 7, 2003
- Posts
- 16,771
Living is a foreign country has its ... uniquenesses. (should there be such a word).
One of those distinctive little things in Portugal is the absence of central heating, which becomes a little frigid on days like today. I am not complaining. Really. Being from Canada and used to minus degree winter temperatures, 13c is quite balmy for this time of year – just NOT in the apartment! As much as not having central heating is all rather … um … quaint, the phrase "Has anyone heard of the 21st century?" does occasionally cross my mind as I am wheeling my heater from room to room.
Lights seem to be an issue as well, and for those Canucks in the know: I will NEVER complain about Hydro One again, nor how much those bastards get paid!
Anyhow, aside from this, what I love about the word unique is that every one of us is just that: unique. This (in my opinion) is defined by idiosyncrasies (always exaggerated) and while we mainly apply idiosyncrasies to people, being in a new culture I am amused more by what I see as the cultural and milieu idiosyncrasies I experience. (For example, yelling instead of talking to make a point, literal catfights over ones driving abilities (PS – the men just stay in their cars and make hand movements and lewd remarks no one [especially the old ladies] can hear).
No central heating and no one being bothered by it!
Anyhow, I was thinking about this today - Can you define the idiosyncrasies of your own culture? We sometimes see it more in other cultures (and I suppose this can come down to state, province, county, city and suburb differences) and how do you see these in comparison to others near or as far as you have travelled?
One of those distinctive little things in Portugal is the absence of central heating, which becomes a little frigid on days like today. I am not complaining. Really. Being from Canada and used to minus degree winter temperatures, 13c is quite balmy for this time of year – just NOT in the apartment! As much as not having central heating is all rather … um … quaint, the phrase "Has anyone heard of the 21st century?" does occasionally cross my mind as I am wheeling my heater from room to room.
Lights seem to be an issue as well, and for those Canucks in the know: I will NEVER complain about Hydro One again, nor how much those bastards get paid!
Anyhow, aside from this, what I love about the word unique is that every one of us is just that: unique. This (in my opinion) is defined by idiosyncrasies (always exaggerated) and while we mainly apply idiosyncrasies to people, being in a new culture I am amused more by what I see as the cultural and milieu idiosyncrasies I experience. (For example, yelling instead of talking to make a point, literal catfights over ones driving abilities (PS – the men just stay in their cars and make hand movements and lewd remarks no one [especially the old ladies] can hear).
No central heating and no one being bothered by it!Anyhow, I was thinking about this today - Can you define the idiosyncrasies of your own culture? We sometimes see it more in other cultures (and I suppose this can come down to state, province, county, city and suburb differences) and how do you see these in comparison to others near or as far as you have travelled?
pseudo-Liar LOL. How do you feel about 'scarborough? Being a downtown dude?
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