Maybe this is a boring topic to open here. But I was thinking of how many times we Americans talk about the weather in conversation. We say that when we don't know what to talk about with another person or we 'run out of' (no longer have something) things to say, we can always talk about the weather.I bring this up (mention it) because I tutor a student one-on-one each week and she said in the country where she comes from they don't really talk about the weather as much as we Americans do. Her sister visited our city of Denver last year and wanted to know why the 'gringos" (Americans) always talk about the weather when they meet you. So I was wondering if this is really an American cultural thing or is it universal in many cultures.I am sensitive to this topic because the weather in Denver is quite crazy. We always say if you don't like the weather today in Denver, don't worry, it will change. Now Denver is quite a popular city now. A recent survery said that 43% of Americans would rather live in Denver than where they now live. This was the highest percentage received by any city. And one of the reasons people want to live here is the weather. Now this is sort of crazy since our weather is quite inconsistent and can change at any moment. But we are known for our sunshine on average of 300 days per year. We still have four seasons which a lot of Americans like, but none of them are terribly extreme except on occasion.But I want to show you one of our occasions. Yesterday and today Denver officially received so far from 15 centimeters to 1.04 meters of snow in its metropolitan area which consists of flat plains and the foot hills of the mountains. And more is coming. This is spring in our area. According to the gardening experts I need to dig and prepare my garden to plant the early vegetables by April 20th. Can you imagine digging a garden in this weather? However, in two days the temperature will be 21.1 celsius.So I am asking others to tell me about their crazy weather. Is the weather important in your conversations? Does it change a lot or suddenly? You can brag about your weather or complain about it. I just want to know what the rest of the world experiences in their weather and how do you react to it culturally? The photos that follow are of my house and my driveway where I put my car and the photo shows the trees next to it. Can you imagine preparing a garden in the middle of this weather? In our culture we love to complain about the weather. But we also do recognize when it is very nice as well. But weather is still the most common topic.
The flowers are real. They are called tulips and they come out of the grounnd in Spring. In my city of Denver we can have snow in every month except July and August. So the flowers often are covered with snow. Tulips originally came from ancient Arabia. They went to Europe and were popular in the Netherlands. They were even used in place of money at times because they were so valuable. Now they are qute affordable.
You are a wise man. You do understand our culture in this one aspect. We do not like people asking personal questions and we try to respect privacy. Sometimes we find other cultures too direct and not respecting privacy. But then we are also considered by many cultures to be too friendly before establishing a relationship. But when we first meet, we do small talk, which is saying much about nothing. It is less threatening to talk about the weather. Nobody is insulted by the weather and it is something we all share at the same moment. But as the conversation goes along we look for topics that we have in common. That makes the conversation easier. Silence in a conversation is culturally uncomfortable and when we have nothing in common, it is very awkward. Good conversationalists ask questions of the other person to get them interested in the conversation. But we have to be careful in asking personal questions. We rarely meet a person and ask if they are having an affair with their wife's best friend. But that is a joke and an exaggeration. Hope you are enjoying being in the USA and that people are treating you well.
When I first came to USA, I was surpried that whoever I met used to talk about weather. I could not understand why in the world people talk weather like crazy. In my country (Nepal) we have different weather from regions to region but we never bring this topic in our conversation unless needed for specific purpose. As I had to adapt to this new country, I looked up at website and tried to gather information about climates and weather in Uinted States.By the time I was able to talk a lot about it, I found that people here start conversation with weather or games or current event just to break the ice and build a rapport. They are not quite comfortable to talk in any matter like we do in our part of the world. Here people are very open minded but pay particular attention not to create any controversy. So as far I understand , the point of talking about weather here is to know about other and talk accordingly.
My Englisg is poor, so I want to improve it.This is a very good way to practice my writing skill.If anybody have any comment, it will be great. I will try to take my free time to talk to you and improve it.Thank you very much.
I'm living and working in Shenzhen, China. For Chinese people, we don't talk about the weather so often, but if we will go to do something related to the weather, i think we are talking about it. Besides, we will complain about it when the weather are bad like rainy,snowy and chilly etc. Most people don't like the weather like that, but I sometimes like listening the rain when I am in a good mood, otherwise people will get more upset with listening the sound of rain.
Shenzhen is the city in the south of China, the climate is not too cold in the whole year, most of the time is hot so the seasons are not visible. I really like the weather here because I am scared to the cold weather.
I think you are a very kind and friendly person.Nice to meet you here!
Nebia,
I am very happy to help people who want to learn English- all the time. I love to teach English, as it is. But my decision to teach people and never take money for it was a promise to God to return to others the blessings he has given me. so I thank you for asking God to bless me and I return it to you as well. How old are your students and what kind of writing do you want to teach them?
And yes, we make the same jokes in our country as well about arranging marriages of our babies to the babies of other friends. If this were really true my granddaughter would have at least 6 husbands someday and she is only 3 months old. What will it be when she is a young woman about to find a husband? :) I will look at your grandson because as grandparents we all know the joy of grandchildren.
NICE. I am pleased to see that there are still generous peole how still give time for others and help them whenever they are in need.I can tell ou that I was almost all the time looking for native friends but in vain no answer.ùay be lack of time or may be not...I wish you can help me in dealing with writing tools with my pupils.
you are right in Algeria too talking about the weather when nothing can be said. Personally my mood changes according to the weather.I like sunny days where I am cheerful and active.But clouds make me sad. thank you generous man
GOD bless you.
p.s I have seen your little grand daughter if you mind looking at my son photo on my page born on last september, if you agree we will marry them when they are older hhhaa to be humoristic . bye
Hi, Bill. This is my first time to talk to you.Thailand is my country. I think the same with you, and we will start talking about the weather when we felt the weather look strange, it have changed. Thailand have 3 seasons, winter, rainy and summer season, but we can touch only 2 seasons, summer and rainy season because winter is short, only about 3 months.
Amelia,
I am starting to think that many people from the two-season countries do not talk about the weather as much as those who have four seasons or weather that changes a lot from day to day. In my city of Denver one day can have snow and the next day it can be so warm that the snow melts away.
Comments
I can't believe the sand storms. How terrible. I am sure people who go outside have sand in their teeth. I am sure it is a big change for you.
I'm living and working in Shenzhen, China. For Chinese people, we don't talk about the weather so often, but if we will go to do something related to the weather, i think we are talking about it. Besides, we will complain about it when the weather are bad like rainy,snowy and chilly etc. Most people don't like the weather like that, but I sometimes like listening the rain when I am in a good mood, otherwise people will get more upset with listening the sound of rain.
Shenzhen is the city in the south of China, the climate is not too cold in the whole year, most of the time is hot so the seasons are not visible. I really like the weather here because I am scared to the cold weather.
I think you are a very kind and friendly person.Nice to meet you here!
I am very happy to help people who want to learn English- all the time. I love to teach English, as it is. But my decision to teach people and never take money for it was a promise to God to return to others the blessings he has given me. so I thank you for asking God to bless me and I return it to you as well. How old are your students and what kind of writing do you want to teach them?
And yes, we make the same jokes in our country as well about arranging marriages of our babies to the babies of other friends. If this were really true my granddaughter would have at least 6 husbands someday and she is only 3 months old. What will it be when she is a young woman about to find a husband? :) I will look at your grandson because as grandparents we all know the joy of grandchildren.
you are right in Algeria too talking about the weather when nothing can be said. Personally my mood changes according to the weather.I like sunny days where I am cheerful and active.But clouds make me sad. thank you generous man
GOD bless you.
p.s I have seen your little grand daughter if you mind looking at my son photo on my page born on last september, if you agree we will marry them when they are older hhhaa to be humoristic . bye
I am starting to think that many people from the two-season countries do not talk about the weather as much as those who have four seasons or weather that changes a lot from day to day. In my city of Denver one day can have snow and the next day it can be so warm that the snow melts away.
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next