Cultural Slips & Trips

*13 Aug 2010*

I’m sitting here at one of my favourite watering holes – Huxley’s at Heathrow Terminal 5. Have just hoisted myself up on a barstool and ordered a pint of Stella. The bartender replies ‘Nice to hear that order from a lady…’ Me, quizzically: ‘Why’s that?’ Barman: ‘It’s just not that often you hear a lady order Stella.’ I think a moment, then: ‘Well, I suppose Stella’s got quite a different reputation here than at home.’

I always forget this. It doesn’t bother me too much, but in England, Stella Artois lager is colloquially known as ‘Wife Beater’ – due to its high alcohol content & light taste. Therefore also possibly a bit chavvy. Meanwhile at home it’s a choice that no girl would hesitate to order yet guys would think twice about in an effort to protect their manly personae.

It’s amusing to me that, 2 years on, some of these silly cultural things continue to trip me up. The biggest one I cannot get my head around is the business kiss. Over in these parts (Europe generally), kissing your business colleagues – or at least those you don’t see daily – is as commonplace as a firm yet friendly handshake is in the US. Each country has its specific custom: In France & Germany, for instance you do the double-kiss (one per side). In Italy I noticed on my last trip that, although it’s the same double-kiss, custom dictates you start by going right, then left, which is opposite of the northern countries. In Holland, you start left but kiss 3 times – L-R-L – also in Switzerland. In Belgium I’ve been told they sometimes just keep going til it gets ridiculous, but generally it seems to be the same 3 times as Holland.

This is all fine, once you learn and therefore can be prepared. The problem is, the UK is confused. They don’t know whether they’re coming or going. You might shake hands, you might kiss once, you might kiss twice. It’s always a surprise and thus always slightly awkward. I can never remember exactly what I have established with a given person, and so often I end up with a stick-out-the-hand while they lean in for the kiss so I lean in for the kiss and then go to kiss twice while they’ve already moved back because a single kiss does it this time.

As you might imagine, I tend to take this chance to babble on in my loudest most American voice on how awkward this all is, what’s wrong with a simple handshake, I feel like a fool, and just go on making matters worse until no one knows what exactly we’re talking about anymore. This makes business meetings all that much more fun!

Sounds from Home

After what seemed like a long hiatus, but was actually about six weeks, we took in a couple of concerts in the last week. While it sometimes feels like we see way too many American bands and not enough local stuff, one benefit of being overseas is seeing some up-and-coming US bands in really small venues. We're definitely going to miss going to shows here when we move back home.

First up last week was lo-fi/garage rock Best Coast, which I ended up attending on my own thanks to Jess having to work and not really being very interested anyway. The band has gotten a lot of hype and I like several of their songs but having listened to some of their live stuff I was not expecting much. While they ended up sounding better than I expected, they didn't have much energy and too many felt like throw aways. Probably didn't help that it was about 110 degrees in the venue. Overall I can't say I loved the show or really understand all of the attention they are getting, but I’m glad I checked them out (especially after trying unsuccessfully to see them in NYC in early April).

http://www.myspace.com/bestycoasty
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/best-coast-cargo-london-2044603.html

Last night we (this time both Jess and I) went to see Fool’s Gold at another small central London venue. Despite a little bit of skepticism from someone who will remain nameless (not me) the show was amazing. While not a band I would rush out to purchase their album, the energy and enthusiasm with which they delivered their unique blend of African/Caribbean influenced indie pop, often sung in Hebrew, made for a unique but fantastic performance. It was impossible not to get into the music and they're definitely a band I would go see live again.

http://www.myspace.com/foolsgold

- Jason