this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2023
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Asklemmy
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I've tried to write several responses defining how Americans talk to each other and it's just so sad and hard to explain. "Small talk" is the phrase that comes to mind: obligatory, cliche, repeated statements with expected standard answers. It's miserable
I'm from germany. We recently went out for drinks with a researcher and a few students from the US. What I noticed about their communication was that it seemed a lot more ... well, practiced maybe? Like they were working in retail and they got stuck in their "customer service voice" :P . Also a bit more focus on showmanship. Didn't feel like you could get a genuine or personal answer out of them.
From what I've seen and experienced in the US, poc and their communities tend to be more upfront and real with each other but thats very anecdotal from a non-poc perspective so take that as you will. White people, however, we are trained from birth how to participate in this "practiced" customer service speech. It is exactly as you describe and very deeply engrained