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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask why Americans are so loud?

159 replies

MrsMattBomer · 21/12/2016 15:33

We've got some American relatives and their friends visiting today. My god, they're loud. They've commented several times at how quiet and restrained British TV shows are and even when just having a conversation with us they sound sooo much louder.

My eardrums feel like they're going to burst!

OP posts:
Bumbleclat · 22/12/2016 04:48

Give a little sympathy, they have Trump as their president Grin

crazycanuck · 22/12/2016 05:09

I reckon a lot of it has to do with the accent. I am Canadian, and I lived in the Channel Islands for 10 years. When we moved back to Canada it actually took me awhile to adjust, as I found the Canadian (west coast) accent incredibly harsh and jarring on the ears.

FrostyWind · 22/12/2016 05:10

The idea that you British are sneering about our rampant imperialism is a bit rich. Do you know anything at all about your own history????

And we've stopped doing it because it's immoral and wrong. Time the USA did the same.

I'm still traumatised after an incident last summer. We were staying in a very posh London hotel and going down in the lift. The doors opened at another floor and 2 Americans got in.

They were talking and carried on talking even after the doors closed and the lift started moving. No one talks in lifts, surely?

jeeperdoo · 22/12/2016 05:15

FrostyWind They were talking and carried on talking even after the doors closed and the lift started moving. No one talks in lifts, surely?

No! And everyone is supposed to face forward. No eye contact, no talking! Have you ever been in an elevator with someone who faces the wrong way? Creepiest thing ever.

Though I suppose if they were talking before getting on, then it doesn't seem quite as weird. But seriously. That one dude who leans against the wall slouching sideways. Ugh.

claraschu · 22/12/2016 05:19

Good point Frosty. Touché.

I am not knowledgeable enough to argue about US foreign policy intelligently.

Motherfuckers · 22/12/2016 05:37

I am not sure they are any louder, but I think they have a slightly higher pitch, which carries across restaurants etc.

KERALA1 · 22/12/2016 05:50

Italians are louder

1horatio · 22/12/2016 06:17

Kerala

Came here to say that as well.

DH sometimes thought we were arguing (he didn't understand us so he simply judged by the volume and I guess the apparent intensity).
But we were just sitting around and talking Grin

lizzieoak · 22/12/2016 06:22

Crazycanuck - but there is not just one west coast accent. We had a neighbour we were sure was from the American Midwest as she was loud and nasal (this may not be what midwesterners sound like - but they do in our imaginations). Turns out she's from Vancouver =:-0 Yet I know loads of Vancouverites who have very soft accents. The accents of the islands are generally pleasant, though the valley accent is (to me) quite American.

When I moved back to Canada people sounded a bit American to me (if they were not Islanders), but I had much more of a problem w the appalling way most west coast people dress. Casual does not even begin to address what I dislike about the "style".

QODRestYeMerryGentlemen · 22/12/2016 07:42

I visit usa friend regularly.
The other thing I notice is that we don't waste words, e.g.

Hello, regulate latte please

They say
Well, hmmm I guess, you know er hey Can I get a regular latte

2 extra words instantly

And omg loud.

Holidaying earlier in the year in Aruba. We are at the pool, if I saw my friend I'd wave, or trott round or call her name in a modulated whispery shout 'Psssst Jane jaaaanne' etc

YO CORT KNEEEE CORT HEY YO CORT YEAH YOU GIRL. CORRRRRRT KNEE YEAH YOU LOOK THE OTHER WAY GUUURL HA HAHA GET YOUR ASS DOWN THE POOL

etc

We actually reviewed the hotel specifically for Brits as the noise level was unbearable in the buffet restaurant

My Atlanta friend is much softer accented but still loud and just, so so many words

QODRestYeMerryGentlemen · 22/12/2016 07:43

Ooh yeah nasal! That's it. The Noo Yawk and that way type accent too

DixieWishbone · 22/12/2016 13:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QODRestYeMerryGentlemen · 22/12/2016 13:57

My friends all wanted to inspect my teeth. Like I was an old
Horse

lizzieoak · 22/12/2016 14:50

Americans (as a whole obviously, I'm sure loads of individuals are left out of the following) do seem weirdly obsessed w teeth (being straight and very white).

I think it's a deflection from their lack of affordable healthcare.

Atenco · 22/12/2016 15:10

The idea that you British are sneering about our rampant imperialism is a bit rich. Do you know anything at all about your own history
And we've stopped doing it because it's immoral and wrong. Time the USA did the same

Whao, Frosty, on what planet have you been in the last few years?

Potnoodlewilld0 · 22/12/2016 15:18

Yes this pissed me off in Mexico. It's one of the reasons I don't go back.

Trying to get a hour of peace on the upstairs adult pool area was none existent. They were literatly shouting at each other even though sat side by side.

But the worst was the pool games it instantly turned from a family game of water polo to a high testosterone, fist pumping, wooping, high fiving USA manfest, ffs it was supposed to be a bit of fun.

It was intimidating and off putting.

Potnoodlewilld0 · 22/12/2016 15:21

No! And everyone is supposed to face forward. No eye contact, no talking! Have you ever been in an elevator with someone who faces the wrong way? Creepiest thing ever

This!!!

Manager of hotel did this and tried polite chit chat. It was horrible and legged it off on the wrong floor 😂😂

OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 22/12/2016 15:24

When I lived in France I realised that my British volume was a lot louder than the native French volume and adjusted accordingly (then cringed like mad when my parents visited and practically shouted to each other in restaurants)

Similarly, I was told in France that I smile "too much" because there's a different social behaviour around smiling than in the UK. Just because it's different, doesn't mean one way is better or worse.

1horatio · 22/12/2016 15:30

Wait.... why wouldn't you talk in the elevator if you know the person you're with?

lizzieoak · 22/12/2016 15:42

And truly I think there's loads of Americans who are quiet, we just don't notice because, well, because they're quiet!

Personally I find the typical Aussie slightly overwhelming, and apparently people find Canadians smug (who, moi?).

jeeperdoo · 22/12/2016 15:47

Wait.... why wouldn't you talk in the elevator if you know the person you're with?
Because by doing so you have busted the illusion that we're not really a bunch of random strangers standing way too close to one another in a tiny inescapable box of possible death?

Honestly, I have no clue. I just know that even if I'm in the middle of a really interesting conversation with a friend, when the two of us get on the elevator, it's like there's an agreed-upon pause button. It's weird.

Atenco · 22/12/2016 16:23

Wait.... why wouldn't you talk in the elevator if you know the person you're with?

I haven't a clue. I never knew there was a rule about that

RestlessTraveller · 22/12/2016 16:37

Gotta love a novelty Christmas racism thread. How funny!

originalmavis · 22/12/2016 16:43

American is a race now?

1horatio · 22/12/2016 16:44

Atenco

Right? But then again, I'm not English...

jeep

That is weird. I wonder if I've been weird if out my colleagues. Then again, I work in a place with many foreigners (like me). So, probably not...