Defying Preconceptions

I have seen what passes as "lasagna" in foreign countries. Frankly, an old boot covered in gravy would mop the floor with it already

But I must admit, soul food cuisine looks definitely intriguing. I've never tried it, but the recipes look interesting — I'll probably give it a try if I happen to visit the U.S. for any reason.

edited 6th Apr '12 11:55:21 AM by Carciofus

But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas.

@ Aon: that second part is likely because you're actually serious about the stuff.

I? Well, I can swear I've never stolen a car from a German.

"Atheism is the religion whose followers are easiest to troll"

Is that, uh, actually a Polish stereotype?

With cannon shot and gun blast smash the alien. With laser beam and searing plasma scatter the alien to the stars.

Well, our own stereotypes of ourselves is that we're a bunch of rude, dumb, offensive rednecks, to use American parlance, with a contemptuous attitude to law and a fondness for alcohol. The car thing is mostly what others say of us, though we occasionally take pride in it.

"Atheism is the religion whose followers are easiest to troll"

Do you crack up over how many stereotypes are self-imposed??

White folks never give me shit because I'm a longtime Star Trek fan. But to hear certain black people tell it, only posers trying to "be down" with "them hipsters" like it.

Which is funny, because while I'm sure hipsters love Star Trek, hipster code would forbid from admitting to it. Unlike say Mad Men which is required viewing it seems.

edited 6th Apr '12 12:22:31 PM by TheStarshipMaxima

It was an honor

Wait, I have to watch Mad Men?

WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS.

The 5 geek social fallacies. Know them well.

It must've been lost by the same mail guy who was supposed to deliver the memo that "brunch is a white people thing"!

edited 6th Apr '12 12:30:09 PM by TheStarshipMaxima

It was an honor

I'm a Midwestern American who doesn't live on a farm and my family is very politically and socially liberal, and I'm also an atheist.

Also, my cousin who lives on a farm is quite booksmart and is a big fan of anime.

Another one is that my Pomeranian is very friendly and sweet and acts more like a tiny version of the Big Friendly Dog trope rather than a vicious Mister Muffykins. She's been a "Pom-bassador" for her breed and has convinced people that not all Poms fit the spoiled brat stereotype (including my mom).

edited 6th Apr '12 12:52:24 PM by Rainbow

On self-imposed labels, I call myself a conformist because everyone else these days is a nonconformist.

As for defying preconceptions, I'm British and I want nothing to do whatsoever with British accents. Fish n' chips aren't that tasty to me, I don't even understand British culture, and football? Boring as hell. People call me an extremely smart and bright young man, but I greatly oppose the idea of college. ..but that one's more of a secret because people really want me to go to college. o_e But everyone assumes I'm, like, super-enthusiastic about going to college just because I'm smart! Like the two are related somehow.

I'm a huge fan of progressive rock, yet I've never in my entire life heard a ten-minute space-rock guitar solo, and frankly, the concept sounds very unappealing. I also have not listened to that much Yes, and I really really really don't like Pink Floyd.

Oh, and despite being white, nerdy, awkward, and clumsy, I can dance.

If you ask me, preconceptions shouldn't exist. Or they can, sure, but people shouldn't be upset if they don't come true.

tout est sacré pour un sacreur (Avatar by Rappu!)

I do agree that football is our most obnoxious export.

With cannon shot and gun blast smash the alien. With laser beam and searing plasma scatter the alien to the stars.

Well, I'm American and I actually think Canada, Britain, and France (yes France) are COOL and we're lucky to have them as allies.

It was an honor

I'm English and don't like tea that much. There are some varieties I'll drink, but I prefer coffee any day.

What's the point in giving up when you know you'll never stop anyway?

I'm not English, I drink tea by the gallon. People laugh watching me sip hot tea on a summer day.

It was an honor

I mean no offence, Starship, but speaking from experience I'm not sure the substance Americans generally call "tea" is, in fact, tea.

With cannon shot and gun blast smash the alien. With laser beam and searing plasma scatter the alien to the stars.

Just we don't take our sugar in 'lumps' doesn't mean our tea isn't tea. lol

It was an honor

I don't even take sugar in tea, and regard it as an abomination

Holidays in America have taught me that, in America, "tea" means a teabag plopped into some warm water, with a splash of white stuff that vaguely resembles milk if you're lucky.

With cannon shot and gun blast smash the alien. With laser beam and searing plasma scatter the alien to the stars.

Yes, at least in Germany. I heard it from Brits as well, though your designated target seem to be mostly Romanians...

Anyway. I'm a very unorganized and unorderly German who often has problems with authority.

Though I do like Schnitzel

Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken. Unrelated ME1 Fanfic

We can get our grubby mitts on actual tea if we look for it. I've got a cupboard full of loose leaf teas of varying sorts, mostly greens since those are what I favor. Big fan of greens. Especially genmaicha. Favorite sort. My girlfriend calls me a tea poseur.

edited 6th Apr '12 3:37:12 PM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

WTF. You mean, it's not???

It was an honor

If you want good tea you'll drink loose leaf stuff using the might of a tea ball/strainer/other such infuser. You'll also use water at specific temperatures, certain numbers of infusions, and certain spices/creams/sweeteners as well. You can use whole leaf pyramid style teabags as well. When it comes to teabags those are your best bet. Avoid tea powder however.

edited 6th Apr '12 4:23:57 PM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

Captain Maxima: Aon, set a course for.....tea.

Commander Aondeug: Course set, engines standing by.

Maxima: Engage!

It was an honor

Ignore Aondeug. Hers is not the British way.

• Milk in a mug. Amount is based on personal preference depending on how strong or weak you like your tea.

• Three teabags in a teapot (loose leaf is fine, but too fiddly for my taste - strainers and such are too much of a fuss. Just make sure you use quality tea bags) Obviously has to be black tea, my personal preference being Assam.

• Boiling water poured into teapot.

• Brew for five minutes.

• Pour into mug, enjoy.

If you don't have time to use the teapot/are too lazy, put a teabag in a mug and pour boiling water into the mug, then stir vigorously with a spoon for a couple of minutes. Remove teabag, add milk. Stir again for a few seconds, drink and enjoy.

I'm aware this is off topic, but some things are just too important to leave unexplained, y'know?

edited 6th Apr '12 4:32:06 PM by pagad

With cannon shot and gun blast smash the alien. With laser beam and searing plasma scatter the alien to the stars.

Hm, maybe we'll just....do both??

Of course!

It was an honor

Though not all tea is in leaf form. There's matcha. Matcha's a bit of a bitch to prepare and most people don't like how it tastes, but I do.

Blacks are meh.

^DO BOTH AND MORE. Don't leave out the yellows, whites, and reds! Oolongs too.

edited 6th Apr '12 4:32:31 PM by Aondeug

If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah

Obligatory

Herbal? No thanks.

With cannon shot and gun blast smash the alien. With laser beam and searing plasma scatter the alien to the stars.