[Claire ex-ax]

He could just be frustrated at his situation. Not every expat here wants to be here. Met a few who travelled half way around the world rather than try to find another job back home - "move to the HK office or you're out of a job" kind of thing. Although why anyone would want to work for a company like that bets me.

Met one guy who was sent here because he (a) had a really tight contract and (b) no one back home could work with him. It was easier to sent him here than put up with the complaints and high staff turnaround. Boy, was he pissed at everyone!

So take him to Lan Kwai Fong, get a few drinks in him and ask: You're not happy here, why do you stay?

Either you'll get a revelation about his behaviour which may be "useful" or he will get a revelation and bugger back home!

[xxxlionxxx]

Originally Posted by mike2525

yes, americans want everything to go their way and if you don't complain nothing will change. but most americans are nice people and would think hk people are loud and rude too.

Illogical. If you think most Americans are "nice", then most HK people or any other people should be "nice", too. So how would these "nice" Americans think the "nice" HK people are nothing but loud and rude.

[jimbo]

I deal with my colleagues in the U.S every day and the vast majority are decent people but of course you do get a few idiots now and then.

Not a lot you can do apart from minimising contact with them and giving them a wide berth if you can.

OP

I get you about the speaking english part where some of our southern states users can't understand the queens english which I so happen to speak. But hey what can you do? You're just going to have to humour them.

[gilleshk]

Brings back memory of an argument over fixture... Boss blew a fuse claiming that fixture is an electrical term and should not be sued about a game... Had to go to Webster's to settle the argument and of course no apologies were made...

[Claire ex-ax]

gilles, know what you mean. But, apparently, in addition to Websters, the Strunk & White book is also incorrect...

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by mike2525

yes, americans want everything to go their way

Okay, granted I am American and maybe I just don't understand the rest of humanity, but doesn't everyone want everything to go their way? I mean, if given a choice? What's the alternative? Wanting everything to not go your way?

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

Okay, granted I am American and maybe I just don't understand the rest of humanity, but doesn't everyone want everything to go their way? I mean, if given a choice? What's the alternative? Wanting everything to not go your way?

Well I guess there is "want" as in "wouldn't it be nice if this happened" and "want" as in "why the fck don't you stupid bastards do what I say". Not saying Americans fall in the second category (and I'm not saying they don't ) but just that there are varying shades of expressing the wanting.

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

Okay, granted I am American and maybe I just don't understand the rest of humanity, but doesn't everyone want everything to go their way? I mean, if given a choice? What's the alternative? Wanting everything to not go your way?

Oh and culturally speaking, Americans are defined as individualistic so would want everything to go their way, whereas in more collectivist cultures there would be a willingness to sacrifice personal wants for the good of the group (e.g. family).

[XI_YAN]

why does the term 'ugly american' exist and no similar phrase exist about other nationals - who I admit can also exhibit obnoxious behaviour but . . .

[gilleshk]

So what does that make of american communists or socialists? Just stop putting everyone in the same basket... it's simply put...stupid

We are all individuals with strength and weaknesses that come from family, education, background and simply ourselves.

You can blame someone for being a certain way. You can disagree with the politics of a country but to say that 300 million people are all the same is ludicrous and plain dumb.

If someone is a thief or a jerk, does it mean his whole family is the same? That should sound crazy... apply that to a whole nation, that's how some of you sound...