Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, America, Attitude & Aptitude, China, Culture, Embarrassing Moments
You know you lived in Shanghai when you’re driving, see the sign above and think it’s a Chinese street name rather than how American’s roadsigns say ‘pedestrian crossing’.
I wish I was joking, but I’m not.
How I passed my driving test is anybody’s guess.
I’ve got to be honest, while I am really enjoying my time in the US, I am finding it harder to adapt to certain things than I thought I would.
Not just because I feel my frame-of-reference is more Asian based than American, but because there are some things I am being subjected to that I just never encountered before.
To be honest, this is a post for another day – because it’s actually been quite challenging for me – but let me just leave you with this as a ‘teaser’ for next time.
I had just been in a very, VERY boring meeting with someone.
When I got out, I was asked how it had been.
I replied, “I feel I’ve just been brain raped”.
Their mouth almost hit the floor. Literally hit-the-floor.
Trust me, there’s so many more stories like that. I’m amazed I’m still allowed in the country.
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While I recognise your general point, I have to say that, in this case, I think you might have deservedly got that reaction in a lot of countries.
On the other hand, they were probably mocking the idea that you have a brain and should be fired immediately.
Comment by John August 10, 2017 @ 6:24 ambrainrape is fucking offensive. except when you work in advertising and then its a fucking fact.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 6:34 amThat’s tame by advertising standards.
Comment by DH August 10, 2017 @ 6:50 amYou’re right John … I agree. It was wrong and I do regret that. Mind you, it’s not just overt shit statements that offend, I was pulled up for saying “… lets ask the guys what they think” [referring to the creative department] and was told I was being sexist.
I dealt with that comment rather differently than the way I’ve dealt with the other, ha.
Comment by Rob August 10, 2017 @ 8:05 amanother reason i fucking hate la.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 8:07 amYou should read the recent code of conduct everyone was sent here. Mindblowing.
Comment by George August 10, 2017 @ 8:16 amCareful George, you might get fired.
Comment by Bazza August 10, 2017 @ 8:22 amfuck me, auntie george is turning into that michael douglas character in falling down. well, the george version of it, which is frowning rather than shooting fuckers in the face.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 8:55 amAmerica has no idea what your mouth is capable of.
Comment by George August 10, 2017 @ 6:29 amhe makes the north korea threat feel like america is being bad mouthed by fucking belgium.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 6:37 amthis is what happens when you live in fucking happy clappy lalaland.
the only good things being in the same country as you is knowing youre going to wipe the positivity off those kale eating fucks faces and i live on the opposite coast to you.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 6:36 amThe side that’s further from Guam
Comment by John August 10, 2017 @ 6:38 amIt’s like the 4th July and I’m just sitting back waiting for the fireworks.
Comment by DH August 10, 2017 @ 6:47 amIt should be an amazing show.
Comment by Rob August 10, 2017 @ 8:02 amor a total fucking anticlimax.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 8:07 amSo here I am. Back again. Just look at the state of this post.
Comment by Marcus Brown August 10, 2017 @ 6:44 amYou’ve got some nerve after the post you caused yesterday.
Comment by DH August 10, 2017 @ 6:48 amwell fucking said.
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 6:59 amNot my fucking fault.
Comment by Marcus Brown August 10, 2017 @ 8:42 amHello Marcus …
Comment by Rob August 10, 2017 @ 8:01 amAre you entirely sure it’s not that America needs to get used to you rather than the other way around?
Comment by northern August 10, 2017 @ 6:49 amsince when has campbell ever fucking thought that way?
Comment by andy@cynic August 10, 2017 @ 6:58 amYou are discovering the differences between American and British culture.
Comment by Lee Hill August 10, 2017 @ 7:07 amOffice culture is even more different.
Comment by George August 10, 2017 @ 7:11 amOh yes … at least at certain levels of a company. It’s honestly very freaky for me.
Comment by Rob August 10, 2017 @ 8:01 amThe bit I forgot to add is that one of my colleagues came up to me after I’d opened my mouth and asked, “Did you ask for the information you got in the meeting?”
When I said yes, she then told me I couldn’t claim it was rape as I asked for it. One of the strangest conversations I’ve ever had in my life. And that’s saying something.
Comment by Rob August 10, 2017 @ 8:00 amExactly.
Comment by John August 10, 2017 @ 8:20 amI love this
Comment by ndokouh August 10, 2017 @ 8:43 amSomewhere out there there’s an automated HR company readying a display ad featuring a likeness of Rob.
Comment by northern August 10, 2017 @ 9:00 amAnd then I’ll be able to bring down automated marketing forever.
Comment by Rob August 10, 2017 @ 9:26 amJust do your swearing in Mandarin, Rob.
Comment by Ian Gee August 10, 2017 @ 10:26 pm