The Fires of Mount Doom hypertext.monster
@Cheri I remember the American friendliness with part glee, and part “suspicion’s high command”. (Compared to Norwegians, even Swedes are on the spectrum towards Americans.) Not knowing PSW manners, I was somewhat afraid my wallet would disappear when some random people just asked to sit with me and my two friends outside a bar in SD. (It was the bar from “The sleazy bar scene in Top Gun” a plaque said inside). We had some friendly interaction with the three, but I couldn’t help thinking “what do they want?”. That’s my Norwegian suspicion saying they can’t just be friendly without reason. We just don’t talk to strangers, unless we’ve had a few, that is.
@odd Understandable! There are a lot of regional differences in the US. In Southern states, a stranger might want your whole life story while you're in the check-out line at the grocery store. Here, people are friendly and will make small talk, but friendships develop quite slowly.
@Pilchuck Have you been to the new(ish) Nordic museum in Ballard? I hadn't realized how many PNW institutions were founded by Nordic immigrants. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.
@Pilchuck @cheri That may be part of the explanation at least. The weather has perhaps something to do with it(?) Maybe the passive-aggressive, (which I’m certain is not a common trait for all the people there), could maybe an import from the Atlantic side, but where the first aggressive- is replaced with passivity(?) We do have passive-aggressive over here too, so, IDK.
@Cheri Welcome back, almost, or maybe it is back by now.
My Mom just moved to Seattle, or Bainbridge Island I should say, where my brother and sister both live. Looking forward to yearly visits to your fair city now that the family is consolidated.
@Pilchuck I always get annoyed when they treat "the Nordic" or even Norway as a singular entity. The cultural difference is very big, even if you move relatively small distances.