A wee bit strange

One might say they are a wee bit interesting strange?

'strange' basicly means different... Because its something you're not used to seeing its "strange" - and something you're not used to seeing is by its very definition different.

Strange isn't a bad thing. I'd go so far as saying that strange is a good thing. Strange is what brings flavour to this world.

Going by experience with dealing with Americans - they seem to take insult really easily on a lot of things that aren't necessarily meant/intended as insulting.

Course, the flipside is that we dutch with our directness are prone to take insult to excessive politeness.
We'd rather you simply be honest about it - even if it can come across as harsh or crude. Rather than being excessively polite and 'kiddy-gloved' in an attempt to spare someones feelings. (If you think I'm an ass, I'd rather you tell me in my face than be nice in front of me and talk behind my back and all that).

Similarly I've come to notice that there are numerous cultures (some american states subscribe to this philosophy, but numerous other nationalities do so aswell) that take offense to refusal. It is generally accepted that if you're offered food or hospitality it is rude to refuse.
And it is generally expected that when dealing with store employees you also engage in some degree of polite smalltalk.

Something that our directness clashes with aswell, we're far too practical for that. Go in, get what you want, get out.
If you don't want/need/have time for something then refusing is perfectly acceptable and is not meant as an insult to the person who offers.


Moreover, due to our cultural heritage and general (atleast historically speaking) tolerant nature. "Strange" has kind-of become the expected.
Just going out into the city center of The Hague you'll come across so many cultural habits that are foreign/strange to us. That we just stopped taking note of it. Sure, its different... That doesn't mean its necessarily bad - besides, the food variety on offer is great!

Fact - a lot of people perceive different as bad. As such anything that gets the connotation of different or 'strange' is "bad" and therefor it becomes an insult.
The usage of strange as an insulting term comes from the very fact that different is perceived as bad.
Which just so happens to be made visible in the very tolerant nature towards other behaviours that are 'different' such as LGBT or even religion.

Unless you'd like to claim that I'm wrong here and that this perception towards everything different is incorrect from that perspective.

As for urban dictionary - this is a poor source of information as it is managed by the very people that set the definition.
So if the most prominent group that visits the site believes strange/different are bad... So will the definitions be put down as such.
In a sense its the opinion of a group that manages the site. (Contrary to an actual dictionary which is based in the roots of the language.)

Perception is all in the eye of the beholder. I'm not saying that you mistook any intent - I'm saying that the intent is that people perceive anything different as bad.
Which coincidentally is where fear of the dark, fear of aliens, fear of *whatever* comes from.
Its generally fear of whatever is different from your norm.

Something that is very prominent in certain cultures around the world. While less so in others that are more openminded (though by no means non-existent).


I would say, go look around between the people you grew up around. How many of them are openminded to things that are different.
More to the point, show them a bunch if different behaviours or habits - I'm willing to bet that they'll label them as "strange".
Not because strange is an insult - but because to them, anything thats different is 'bad' or 'scary'. (Which turns it into an insult from their perspective)

I'm not trying to debunk anything - I'm making a simple observation. Anything that is different is usually looked down upon or even outright hated by the american culture.

Be it religion (I notice a distinct 'love' for anything but Christianity), an obvious tolerance towards the LGBTQA community, a very open and understanding stance towards different nationalties and cultural habits.
It doesn't matter what it is, if its DIFFERENT from the american way, its usually perceived as bad. Its this very concept that resulted in "strange" being used as a negative connotation aswell.

Its the american way to deem everything that is different as bad. Not the usage of the english term, but the usage of the american culture in application.

Different IS perceived as negative in the US and thus is an insult. I'd go so far as to say that the perception towards physically and mentally handicapped people being perceived in a negative light, why? Because they are *DIFFERENT*. Label it what you want, but intolerance and taking offense are a national passtime in the US.


As I pointed out above - there are plenty of countries that treat this the same way, pointed examples are most islamic nations which have a significant intolerance to anyone differing from their standards aswell and Russia has a habit of doing the same.
Tolerance being a key thing here, cause as a direct result of tolerance - the nations that DO tolerate differences subsequently also are less likely to perceive different (and thereby strange) as a negative. Atleast not to the same extent.



Lets list these in three sets, the ones I perceives as positive, neutral and negative.

Positive:
Curious, funny, weird, uncanny, unexpected, unfamiliar, out of the ordinary, extraordinary, mystifying, mysterious, singular, crazy*, curious, eccentric, funky, funny, kinky, off-the-wall, outlandish, quaint*, quirky, wacky

crazy depends on the context, it can specify the mental wellbeing, in which case it can be negatively connotated, but otherwise a crazy scheme isn't inherently bad, infact often the crazy ones are quite fun.
quaint - "a quaint looking town" (attractively unusual or old-fashioned) both are positive.

Neutral: (I include the words that I'm unfamiliar with here, as my unfamiliarity makes it so no positive or negative connotation gets added)
unusual, odd, peculiar, bizarre, weird, atypical, anomalous, puzzling, perplexing, baffling, unaccountable, inexplicable, singular, far-out, kooky, offbeat, off-kilter, out-of-the-way, outré, remarkable, rum, spaced-out, way-out, weirdo, wild.

Negative:
Queer/Queerish - the connotation towards gay/LGBT makes this attain a particular negative tone globally.
Cranky - "He's being cranky when you wake him up in the morning"
Freakish - connotation towards "freak", being seen as generally bad
erratic = unreliable
screwy = messing with things

I think I got all of them there. Now as you can see, for me atleast, most of them aren't particularly negative. And the ones that are, are negative through context not inherent meaning.

Yeah...People in the U.S. use different as a more tactful/polite/underhanded way (sometimes) of describing something that's benignly strange. When they don't give a care to the other person's feelings, they tend to use strange or, even at times weird, as a sort of insult. "Dude, stop it, that's just weird." "You're strange, leave me alone." It kind of falls in line with the early teachings to stay away from strangers. It's not exactly a strong insult or anything, but it's certainly kind of a verbal shove away to someone or some behavior they're uncomfortable with or around.

It's not exactly the nicest part of American culture, and I would say it's the lighter side of some much uglier cultural undercurrents, but it's not exclusive to any particular culture. Which is something Danjal seems to acknowledge when pointing to some others that tend to be a bit more heavyhanded against heterogeneous societies/cultures.

I think what can be said here is that Danjal may have a slightly skewed view towards American tolerance. It's not the best by any means, but it's not the worst either. It really depends on where in the country you are. In the rural areas of the U.S., I'd say you're probably best off being a heterosexual "Christian" otherwise you'll get some rude, condescending behavior, and if you're in the urban areas, you better be kinda thick-skinned and fast-working, otherwise you're wasting everyone's time and becoming an obstruction. That's probably not entirely accurate, but as a generalization, it might work.

It is my homeland. It always will be. They are my countrymen and always be. You are talking  about my mom, my cousins, my brothers and friends when you lump such a statement so generally. I found it hurtful to hear someone from outside USA making such negative comments about my culture in general. My perception of what USA really is, will always ring more true than any non American. My politicians might be like that, my people are not.

I would also disagree about those words again, most of them are negative to us. I won't break them all down, but since you listed peculiar,weird and bizzare as neutral, there is no way to even debate it. We are on total opposite sides of that coin. If you call a co-worker any of those things in USA, you are liable to get called into your bosses office. You can get away with some of your positives but in USA many of those have a double meaning (we have a lot of those) that could get you into hot water if you say it to the wrong person at the wrong time.

Yes, slavery has been around since those Romans were burning those Christians that you mentioned at the stake for being different. I just don't buy into stereotypes that much. Many Americans that took issue with LBGT was because of religious conflictions just like those Romans, so I think that it is an unfair POA to use. USA is far from the only country to have turbulent religious repercussions and pales in comparison to many still ongoing, which could indeed bring us back full circle to Northern Ireland and many others. 

I embrace cultural differences but I don't attack them, I respect them. I don't think you can judge another country by what you hear on the news either. I love different, btw, as do many Americans, it is why we like to have some many choices of things to choose from. We love different genres of music, art,sports, crafts, food, TV and fashion. We come from a melting pot of the world and we are at our core the essence of difference. I don't generally care for strange things unless I am in weird mood, but different is good. As far as the American way, that is just a phrase, so it means no difference from saying the Dutch way. You would really need to be an American to define the American way because our idea of that is completely different, which is not bad, but also not the same. My American way would be about American laws that protect all different ages, sexes, races and nationalities within our borders. Your borders are just as tight as ours. I am a bit of an expert on immigration between the two these days. 

Most Americans don't leave USA for same reason most Europeans don't visit USA. Money and time. Most Europeans and Americans are lucky if they can afford that once or twice a life time. Many in USA are lucky if they see a quarter of their own country as well. We do not in general get more than a few weeks off each year. I was lucky to be able to travel. I have many European friends from my other board that have seen most of their surrounding countries but not USA yet. Pretty much every single friend and family member I know in USA envies me, and when I call my banks to notify my leaving the country they usually gush at how amazing that sounds. I kid you not, Americans do not hide in USA most are simply unable to travel that extensively, it is considered a feat or a life time goal to many to see the world. 

You indeed have a right to your opinion of us, but again it is sad to hear. Other than that I found it an interesting debate. This is a topic I would usually post about on my other forum, but as long as Godus does not turn uber political (that can ruin a good forum), no problem to me. I have hit my max on this subject for this board so I shall bow out. 

Please explain to me, if so many americans are in favor of all these things - how come there's far more public prosecution and assault on such topics?
It is illegal for same-sex couples to get married in many states in the US, yet there are more states where it is legal to have intercourse with a HORSE.


You take offense, because you are applying all of this to your personal group of friends and family members, I guess you're from a part of the US that is more progressive about these things. And thats a good thing - that doesn't change the fact that a VAST majority of the US doesn't see things this way.
You claim most americans don't visit outside of the US because they don't have the time or money? I disagree, sure there are plenty who would love to visit abroad given a chance. There are also a ton that don't give a crap because ever since they were a kid they were drilled that America is superior.

They literally see no need to visit elsewhere, because why would you visit an inferior nation? What do they have to offer to YOU?
And thats just the reality, among all those that feel that the american government is screwing them (and thus they want to leave) there are more than enough that literally DEFEND the decisions being made.

Where does this come from? Often it comes from education - if you've always been told things are a certain way, its hard to believe otherwise.
You're told that same-sex couples are bad, you're told that foreign cultures are bad, you're told that physical and mental disabilities are bad (punishment from god and the like), you're told that all those foreign immigrants are the cause of your jobs being taken, you're told that the Islam is an evil entity that is out to get the US.
All of this is the media playing on fear - and a vast majority of people doesn't get educated above this.
Fear of what? Fear of things that are different...

Why does the US have a history of conflict with Russia/USSR? Because they have such a vastly different agenda and are therefor seen as a threat.


You are argueing that 'peculiar', 'weird', and 'bizarre' are negative?


Now from where I'm sitting, none of these are particularly negative.
Yes they emphasise "something is different" - but as I said, I don't have the connotation that different is negative per se.
You taking these as a negative - directly affirm that you through context of upbringing perceive different as a negative.


Again, its connected to strange as being 'different from the norm' or 'nonhuman' - now perhaps its by upbringing around fantasy and sci-fi, but even here I don't necessarily consider 'inhuman' to be definitively negative.
"Well thats a weird coincidence." is something I'd use when I go to some event or place and I encounter an old friend that I had not seen in years. Its weird that out of all places, the both of you would decide to go to that VERY SAME event on that day. Not negative at all, just odd or peculiar.


And again, it refers to something being odd or out of the ordinary - but not necessarily negative.
Just because its different from what you're used to, doesn't mean it has to be seen in a negative light.


I get it, different upbringings leave different aftereffects. Though those different upbringings do not change the inherent nature of words.
Language is language. If you really want you can use any word in a negative light.
I've had a boy in my school who would call people "vacuumcleanerbag" and "broomstick" where anyone else would say "jerk" or "a-hole".
That doesn't make vacuumcleanerbags a negative term...


Now you take offense at my observation about a broad group of americans - because you feel that this includes those near and dear to you that do not fit within the observations.
You say that not *EVERY* american is anti-LGBT or has a fear of all things different. And I will apologize for any offense made as this was not intended as such.

That said - and this entire issue comes forth from my own dutch directness, I don't go out of my way to be 'polite' about things that can be construed as negative from someone elses point of view. I judge my actions on my OWN intent not the perceived intent by countless others in the world - this is entirely based off of my own observations and interactions with Americans.
Not exclusively what is brought forth in the media, but also a decent amount of years of interacting with americans through the internet.
And here's the thing, my observations aren't accusations or condemnations. I understand that a lot of americans act this way because its been drilled into them.
Be it from a religious perspective or through education or even through their family and peers (from which I can only assume you have gotten a more lenient view on all things different...) - this fear for things different is propogated actively.

If, as you say, 'different' wasn't perceived as openly negative - but only specific variations of 'different' are.
I'd love to see the examples in which you perceive 'peculiar', 'weird', 'bizarre' and so on as negative - and why you so strongly believe they can't be seen in a neutral or positive light.


Similarly, if you had observations made about certain habits of behavioral patterns that the dutch exhibit - I would not take offense at you pointing these out.
As to me, its often very interesting and even enlightning to see things from a different perspective.
And I know that many of my fellow countrymen can be quite odd and peculiar in their actions at times - doing things that I personally do not necessarily stand for. (Be it positive OR negative.)
And I would take those observations - aslong as they are made objectively rather than out of spite (example, the wooden shoes one is a baseless stereotype that anyone with access to the internet could find out - yet its the historical stereotype that people keep bringing up because they're too lazy to actually find some information for themselves...)
If for example you were to observe that from your experiences here, there's a very typical type of behaviour that you find odd or strange or that is different from what you're used to.
Then I would not perceive that as a negative - because the reality is that on this world we live on. There are many people that do things DIFFERENTLY.
That doesn't mean they're all bad and that what they do should be seen in a negative light.

Come to think of it - I have an inkling where this could partially originate from aswell.

As I pointed out, dutch directness and all that. If I have an issue with something or someone I call them out on it.
I will simply tell them that I find their behaviour disturbing or that it otherwise bothers me.
I don't resort to euphemisms to spare someones feelings.

Course, this is considered "rude" or "not polite" - so rather than calling someone out on it.
You refer to them as "strange" or "weird" to people around you.
"Have you seen that guy? He's acting so strange..." "Did you see the new guy? He has such weird habits..."

Rather than calling them out on it, you resort to euphemisms instead - cause you can't be seen insulting someone openly!
Even though everyone knows what you actually mean, you've done no harm because you use such an innocuous or ordinary word.
So words such as "strange" that have no inherent negative connotation other than pointing out something that is "not part of the norm" or "different" becomes negative through the 'polite' usage of it.

Fun fact - I would take offense at such polite behaviour, if you think I'm an ass, don't bandy words around it and talk behind my back.
Simple as that =)