Comments on: I’m a meanie http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/ A lesson in speaking Alyssa Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:07:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Tiff http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/#comment-35 Tiff Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:22:21 +0000 http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/#comment-35 http://tigreton.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/SmilingCat2.jpg Also, I'm listening to the Counting Crows' Holiday in Spain, which makes me think about you!! Mostly because it mentions Spain (and not really for any other lyrical reason)..but it's also a sweet song, and it makes me happy (have a smiley) and re: IT MAKES ME THINK OF YOU! So that's good. Yay! http://tigreton.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/SmilingCat2.jpg

Also, I’m listening to the Counting Crows’ Holiday in Spain, which makes me think about you!! Mostly because it mentions Spain (and not really for any other lyrical reason)..but it’s also a sweet song, and it makes me happy (have a smiley) and re: IT MAKES ME THINK OF YOU! So that’s good. Yay!

]]> By: The Sherbins http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/#comment-34 The Sherbins Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:49:32 +0000 http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/#comment-34 Alyssa, We are really enjoying your Blog - terific reading, impressive photos and, most of all, seeing Spain through your eyes. I (Josh) always found that looking dismissive of all around you was the most effective facial expression to carry on the streets in France. Thanks for the tortilla recipe! The Sherbins Alyssa,

We are really enjoying your Blog - terific reading, impressive photos and, most of all, seeing Spain through your eyes.

I (Josh) always found that looking dismissive of all around you was the most effective facial expression to carry on the streets in France.

Thanks for the tortilla recipe!

The Sherbins

]]> By: Laurel http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/#comment-32 Laurel Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:05:00 +0000 http://www.hablasalyssa.com/wordpress/2008/01/31/meanie/#comment-32 Haha -- France was like this too. I don't know if you're in classes with Spanish students, but my friend who studied abroad in Granada found them very insular and hard to get to know -- the word they use is "cerrado," closed off. I found French students to be similar, though there were definitely a few exceptions of people who were very friendly and outgoing. I think in the US we are used to extreme displays of emotion, people try to be charming, charismatic, and simply overly friendly, which can often be perceived as superficial (though in your case I know it's not!). In my experience, Europeans were more reserved with their emotions, so you get fewer random smiles, but the ones you do get may feel more sincere. You win some, you lose some! Haha — France was like this too. I don’t know if you’re in classes with Spanish students, but my friend who studied abroad in Granada found them very insular and hard to get to know — the word they use is “cerrado,” closed off. I found French students to be similar, though there were definitely a few exceptions of people who were very friendly and outgoing. I think in the US we are used to extreme displays of emotion, people try to be charming, charismatic, and simply overly friendly, which can often be perceived as superficial (though in your case I know it’s not!). In my experience, Europeans were more reserved with their emotions, so you get fewer random smiles, but the ones you do get may feel more sincere. You win some, you lose some!

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