This has, iirc, led to some definite communication issues with allies. I think it was in the Korean war when a British unit was asked by an American unit what their status was. The reply was: just a bit sticky. Americans thought: all good no problem. British meant: we are surrounded, out of ammo and are about to be overrun.
It's an English stereotype that they feel awkward when expressing emotions and would rather suffer silently than "impose" on someone by asking for help.
(edit: or at least that was my read. The other person who replied might be right that it could be a joke about recent events, because they arrest 30+ people per day for social media posts.)
Yankees are so over the top whenever they yell something that they believe the British speak in euphemisms all the time.
Of course this stereotype wouldn't exist if they knew how to speak more than one language, or if non-native speakers didn't usually learn simplified English.
So... am I just too American to understand the joke? Because my family watches a LOT of British TV and I swear to God it doesn't matter what the show is but basically half of all dialogue is either a complaint or an insult (which is just a complaint about someone else if you think about it). Like, it there some meta humor I'm not getting? Or is it more of a TV vs Real Life thing?
32 Comments
Lushed_Lungfish@lemmy.ca · 63 pts · 184d
This has, iirc, led to some definite communication issues with allies. I think it was in the Korean war when a British unit was asked by an American unit what their status was. The reply was: just a bit sticky. Americans thought: all good no problem. British meant: we are surrounded, out of ammo and are about to be overrun.
espentan@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 184d
Hehe, yeah, the Brits were surrounded by something like 20k Chinese soldiers, as I recall. A bit sticky indeed.
fox2263@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 183d
What happened to them do you know?
espentan@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 182d
I don't, but from this wiki article it sounds like at least some survivors were eventually rescued:
Further reading: Battle of the Imjin River
gmtom@lemmy.world · 33 pts · 183d
Nah in that situation it would be bad enough for a "things could be better honestly"
GiveOver@feddit.uk · 15 pts · 183d
Jokes aside I think this situation would be "a bit of a pickle"
Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 183d
It's a bit damp here.
BenchpressMuyDebil@szmer.info · 25 pts · 184d
The water company is probably privatized
Officer_Pickles@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 184d
They're doing a great job, look at all that fresh water!
Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 183d
Fresh water, directly from the Themes.
cattywampas@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 184d
Stiff upper lip my chap.
TotallyNotSpezUpload@startrek.website · 13 pts · 184d
BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz · 8 pts · 183d
Dutch*
SchwertImStein@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 6 pts · 184d
Could I ask for explanation?
The_Picard_Maneuver@piefed.world · 26 pts · 183d
It's an English stereotype that they feel awkward when expressing emotions and would rather suffer silently than "impose" on someone by asking for help.
(edit: or at least that was my read. The other person who replied might be right that it could be a joke about recent events, because they arrest 30+ people per day for social media posts.)
NaibofTabr@infosec.pub · 6 pts · 183d
Keep a stiff upper lip, old chap.
SchwertImStein@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 183d
thanks
deathmetal27@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 182d
I guess Pink Floyd was referring to this in the song Time:
"Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way."
hungryphrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 183d
Ohhh I thought there was some stereotype about Brits getting water leaks all the time, that clears it up.
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 183d
You can't complain in the UK any more, or you'll be jailed.
four@lemmy.zip · 10 pts · 183d
Miaou@jlai.lu · 1 pts · 183d
Yankees are so over the top whenever they yell something that they believe the British speak in euphemisms all the time.
Of course this stereotype wouldn't exist if they knew how to speak more than one language, or if non-native speakers didn't usually learn simplified English.
MrsDoyle@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 183d
Mustn't grumble.
village604@adultswim.fan · 5 pts · 184d
I guess I'm British?
DarkCloud@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 184d
Unless they're in Australia and NZ, then they become "Whinging Poms" because they used to not be able to handle the weather and culture.
Theoriginalthon@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 183d
Tis but a scratch
sirico@feddit.uk · 3 pts · 183d
Living the dream
GandalftheBlack@feddit.org · 2 pts · 183d
Tja. Kann nicht klagen.
Orangenkuchen@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 183d
"Keine Kraft mehr zum klagen"
hawgietonight@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 182d
Read: Dr Livingstone, I presume
javiwhite@feddit.uk · 2 pts · 183d
Oh yeah? Ask me about the weather, I dare you.
ZILtoid1991@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 182d
Where's the "innit" and the "loicense" mentions?
TargaryenTKE@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 182d
So... am I just too American to understand the joke? Because my family watches a LOT of British TV and I swear to God it doesn't matter what the show is but basically half of all dialogue is either a complaint or an insult (which is just a complaint about someone else if you think about it). Like, it there some meta humor I'm not getting? Or is it more of a TV vs Real Life thing?