Comments on: The Whoop Gene http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/ Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:28:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 By: anna a. http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-29457 anna a. Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:25:02 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-29457 For almost two decades my husband and I, Americans, have been working for an international organization that is based in England --- although we live in Asia. We have British co-workers, leaders, and many good British friends. While traveling in England, we learned to really appreciate their reserve, their willingness not to say what is on their mind, which to us Americans seems somewhat coy. But to be honest, I find it much more pleasant to guess at what people are thinking if it is not complimentary than to read it all over their faces or hear their annoyance or disapproval in their words. I find their general courtesy and quietness refreshing. I have heard from Americans that there is a degree of "cultural shock" that comes with moving to England. I think it comes from expecting that the British are more like Americans than they are. When Americans move to an island in Polynesia, they come as learners ready to be surprised by the culture and realizing it is very different. But when Americans move to England, they often come with a different set of expectations because we speak the same language and usually come from the same stock. I have a question that I am dying to ask... have you and Ben come up against the creation vs. evolution question among the Christian community at Oxford? I just heard recently from a believing student, Lincoln College, that came for a short-term trip to Asia, that anyone accepting a literal interpretation of Genesis is put in the category of American tele-evangelist -- or their listeners (i.e. simple, gullible, intellectually challenged) For almost two decades my husband and I, Americans, have been working for an international organization that is based in England — although we live in Asia. We have British co-workers, leaders, and many good British friends. While traveling in England, we learned to really appreciate their reserve, their willingness not to say what is on their mind, which to us Americans seems somewhat coy. But to be honest, I find it much more pleasant to guess at what people are thinking if it is not complimentary than to read it all over their faces or hear their annoyance or disapproval in their words. I find their general courtesy and quietness refreshing. I have heard from Americans that there is a degree of “cultural shock” that comes with moving to England. I think it comes from expecting that the British are more like Americans than they are. When Americans move to an island in Polynesia, they come as learners ready to be surprised by the culture and realizing it is very different. But when Americans move to England, they often come with a different set of expectations because we speak the same language and usually come from the same stock. I have a question that I am dying to ask… have you and Ben come up against the creation vs. evolution question among the Christian community at Oxford? I just heard recently from a believing student, Lincoln College, that came for a short-term trip to Asia, that anyone accepting a literal interpretation of Genesis is put in the category of American tele-evangelist — or their listeners (i.e. simple, gullible, intellectually challenged)

]]> By: Leigh Ann http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-26341 Leigh Ann Fri, 23 Nov 2007 17:07:40 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-26341 When we were over in Europe we were constantly told by the team leaders to be quieter. It is the way of things over there, except if you are in France during the world cup and the French just happen to win. In that case, WATCH OUT!!!!!!!! When we were over in Europe we were constantly told by the team leaders to be quieter. It is the way of things over there, except if you are in France during the world cup and the French just happen to win. In that case, WATCH OUT!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Emily Shearouse http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-25560 Emily Shearouse Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:32:37 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-25560 I am from Canada, but usually whenever we are at some public event (such as the Tattoo or the Maritime Fall Fair) there are a few whoopers in the crowd (probably American tourists, eh?). I have always wondered what makes them feel compelled to make such noise. How interesting to hear the other perspective! I am from Canada, but usually whenever we are at some public event (such as the Tattoo or the Maritime Fall Fair) there are a few whoopers in the crowd (probably American tourists, eh?). I have always wondered what makes them feel compelled to make such noise. How interesting to hear the other perspective!

]]> By: Carmen http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-24077 Carmen Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:16:29 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-24077 I'm moving to England!!! I’m moving to England!!!

]]> By: aunt heather http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22418 aunt heather Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:40:16 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22418 When I was overseas, I lived with a British lady for five years. She would tell me that she could take Americans one at a time, but not in bulk. They were entirely too loud. I was supposed to feel honored that she would put up with my loudness. I was also going to recommend that you check out a 'football' match to get a peek at some loud Britishers. When I was overseas, I lived with a British lady for five years. She would tell me that she could take Americans one at a time, but not in bulk. They were entirely too loud. I was supposed to feel honored that she would put up with my loudness.

I was also going to recommend that you check out a ‘football’ match to get a peek at some loud Britishers.

]]> By: rebekah http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22319 rebekah Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:10:18 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22319 Katherine - oh loads of things! The English people as a whole have produced all kinds of things I love - cast iron everything, stone houses, hedgerows, PG Wodehouse . . . plus they're much more articulate as a rule and I like the dry sense of humor . . . clotted cream is fun, and garden centers are nifty. Some of the dress shops are to die for, and the men's blazers are just way cooler . . . plus the scarf wearing fixation is kinda pizzazzy actually. Liberty fabrics, Aga stoves, Minis . . . and some really great curtains . . . the list goes on . . . Katherine - oh loads of things! The English people as a whole have produced all kinds of things I love - cast iron everything, stone houses, hedgerows, PG Wodehouse . . . plus they’re much more articulate as a rule and I like the dry sense of humor . . . clotted cream is fun, and garden centers are nifty. Some of the dress shops are to die for, and the men’s blazers are just way cooler . . . plus the scarf wearing fixation is kinda pizzazzy actually. Liberty fabrics, Aga stoves, Minis . . . and some really great curtains . . . the list goes on . . .

]]> By: Katherine http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22282 Katherine Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:23:05 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22282 So curious to hear the "many and sundry things" you admire... So curious to hear the “many and sundry things” you admire…

]]> By: Brittany Martin http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22122 Brittany Martin Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:47:04 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22122 That's hilarious--but maybe it's a European thing and not just British. When my husband and I went to France for our honeymoon I remember getting the same freaky feeling at the airport. I had never been in a crowd of so many people--and heard so little. Just a soft, underlying near-whisper of nasally accents. You could barely even hear it unless you were really paying attention. That’s hilarious–but maybe it’s a European thing and not just British. When my husband and I went to France for our honeymoon I remember getting the same freaky feeling at the airport. I had never been in a crowd of so many people–and heard so little. Just a soft, underlying near-whisper of nasally accents. You could barely even hear it unless you were really paying attention.

]]> By: Ellen http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22118 Ellen Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:41:41 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22118 I think it's the Yanks that a weird!! But maybe you should take in a soccer match before you reach a final conclusion? Or (my favourite) a cricket match? I think it’s the Yanks that a weird!! But maybe you should take in a soccer match before you reach a final conclusion? Or (my favourite) a cricket match?

]]> By: Natalie Short http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22097 Natalie Short Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:45:16 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2007/11/04/the-whoop-gene/#comment-22097 That would weird me out too. That would weird me out too.

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