American culture is known for wisecracking. We have a whole industry
devoted to it. Nothing has been said here that would even get a
chuckle out of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Yes. No. My favorite
internationally accepted description of puerh Camel's Breath Tea. I
even have the Chinese somewhere.

Jim

Michael Plant > wrote in message >...
> Alex igy.com10/14/04
>
> Sasha, not so simple, I think. "Common" courtesy is surely not common, but
> what it means is culture specific, not universal. When we say Pu-erh -- or
> Durian, for that matter -- is stinky, we speak affectionately, right guys?
>
> Michael
>
>
>
> > This is quite simple. There are individuals who understand the way people
> > get insulted and there are ones that do not. Usually its their parents who
> > were the same way and never wanted to improve.
> > I have seen people who would look at their companion's plate in the
> > restaurant and say - this is awful, how can you eat that? And they do not
> > mean anything insulting, they just were never brought up the proper way.
> > They would also stare at a paraplegic person, pick their nose in public and
> > belch when they have eaten enough. Yes, they probably understand the
> > improperness of passing wind in the presence of others, but that is as far
> > as their upbringing goes.
> > The simple rule that you never use the words "stink, awful, yuk, etc"
> > speaking about food that others eat and admire, never call "ugly, awful or
> > terrible" things that people wear - is too sophisticated for them. There are
> > many ways to express your personal rejections for certain foods, styles and
> > many other things - you can say that this scent is a bit too rough for you,
> > that you have never developed a taste, etc. But their childish minds find it
> > easier to just compare things they do not like to snot and poo.
> >
> > Sasha.