Minnie’s Musings

Apart from a joint history shared with those of European descent and a shared common-ish language there are many cultural differences between ourselves and our cousins across The Pond. And while some differences are gaping chasms (gun control, abortion rights, religion in politics) others are way more subtle.

Americans – legendarily – do not doff their caps according to social status,but they are formal in the way they address each other’s parents . We still doff our caps to our social ‘superiors’ so reflexively that to not do so requires us to make a pointed stand in not doing so. However the only people we would routinely call ‘sir’ or ma’am’ are the King or lately the Queen.

Americans are far more likely to say what they are thinking (which we regard as decidedly blunt if not rude much of the time). While we – as I explained to more than one incoming teacher from the US – can say a thousand words in one pregnant pause, not one of which is a compliment.

Our sense of humour is different. Americans like sarcasm and goofball comedy. We base ours on irony and value wit above all else. We like slapstick as well (a la Benny Hill). Each to his own.

The antics of the US crowd at the Ryder Cup may be considered to have stepped over the line. Though I do not think we can say our sports fans are paragons of virtue. However, as I was about to point this out to Best Beloved, I was treated to a long discourse on the self-regulation of the modern day football fan. Apparently, I am told, it is rare for anyone to cross the line these days and if they do they are gently slapped down. Hmmmm.

The New York crowd has just been described as brutal and boisterous and having a disregard for golfing etiquette.

There are two ways to deal with this onslaught. Well, three.

Rise above with swan like grace.

Respond with deadpan humour or icy politeness a la Justin Rose to Bryson Duchamp’s caddie yesterday.

Or thrash them into the ground, pulverise them into a pulp and/or squish them like gnats on a Summer’s evening.

If we do throw away our current commanding lead we shall congratulate them with the stiffest of upper lips and hoist ourselves onto the petard of our moral high ground, having donated our fees etc to charity without being shamed into doing so. Ha!