What do you know about Spanish speaking people?
Wow! That is a big category! Argentines are nothing like Peruvians, and none of the latin Americans have very much in common with Spaniards. Spaniards form Catalonia are very different from Basques. Mexicans from Puebla are quite different from Mexicans from Sinaloa or Baja California.
Do Americans find it hard to understand British accents?
"Oo aah [as in "cat"] bee oh?"Is this intelligible?On my first visit to London, I was visiting an English cousin, and we went out to eat. As we finished, the waiter came up and made these sounds. Smirking at my befuddlement, the cousin translated in Received Pronunciation,"Will that be all?"It was a good week before I began to get the hang of the amazing variety of accents and dialects around me.If this doesn't convince you, this video ought to. She's from Glasgow, but the lesson applies throughout the Isles.
Is it hard for you to understand some British accents sometimes?
Technically, I'm not being colonial or insulting, but Americans don't speak English nor are they the "centre" of English language. I'm trying to be harsh but... British English is the true form of English. Americans speak a mashed up form of European languages. For example, an Irish accent sounds similar to an American and Southern Estadios (US people) tend to twang due to Spanish influences. Up North vowels are pronounced more like "ooo" for "o" that's from Scandinavia and Germany. I understand, I have to put subtitles on for American films because I find their accents more annoying than confusing.
I'm Irish but I've never been to Ireland please answer?
Ok I will start of by just by saying I hope you're not getting upset with any of the answers, they are just trying to tell you how it is... Firstly the Irish don't hate the Americans , that is rubbish, their just isn't anything in that, people may not have liked Bush that much but we don't take it out on ordinary people. Nearly everyone speaks English as first language. Some Gaeltacht regions in the West speak Irish but you shouldn't worry about it. To people in this country you will be considered an American of Irish descent at best, if you simply say you're Irish you probably won't get yelled at or anything but it will definitely create a roll the eyes moment. This country has alot changed from being all about green fields and pubs, it won't be all like that, you'il get areas that will satisfy your curiosity for something that you would consider stereotypical Ireland, but don't expect it all to be like in the movies, because it really isn't. I suggest you should head for Galway city in the West or somewhere on the outskirts and then everynow and then go to Connemara because I'm guessing you will love it. In fact travel around Galway, Mayo, Kerry and Donegal it I think you would like it. This country isn't really dangerous , especially the rural regions its quite peaceful
Why is it difficult for some people to say, "I love you"?
Because some people grow up without the privilege of hearing the words.Because some people live in a culture where people don’t really say those words hence it is deemed as normal to not say it.Because some people were shamed once or twice or more before when they did say it in the past.Because some people fear that once they say it, the other person would avoid them cause nowadays there are all sort of reasons that it may be seen as creepy.Because some people fear that the feeling is not reciprocated. Althought it does not reach the extent of what is explained in last point, some people dread disappointment way too much.Because some people tend to think there is no need to say it due to ignorance, whether I say it or not, she/he must have known how I feel.Because some people take these words seriously and to say means to bear the consequences that come with it and this apparently is too much to take under certain circumstances one has in life.Because before their partners have told them that even though they don’t say it their partners know how she/he feels. Fortunate are those who say so not just for the sake of saying it.Because sometimes some people who feel guilty for being unfaithful find it hard to keep the lie alive.Because some people didn’t mean their words when they first say those words so while their partners are trying to figure out what’s the problem here, they have already moved on.
Am I condescending, do I have a superiority complex?
Condescending, yes, superiority complex, probably not. You are confident in your own value, it seems. You may have a slight insecurity as you are seeking confirmation on Y!A. But more importantly, it is condescending to claim yourself wiser than others simply because of your life style compared to theirs. Perhaps you have more creativity and expression injected in your daily routine than most people. Modern culture has a lot of individuals just pursuing one distraction after the next which doesn't really challenge them. However, while I also don't care for lazy and ignorant minds, I cannot claim that these people are somehow inferior to me simply because I have an over-active brain. As you said, they are just different. A simple existence is often deeper than you may imagine. Perhaps they have themselves figured out enough that they don't need to toil with philosophy or expressing their deeper emotions. They can be confident that they have taken care of all things necessary in their lives and thus there is no neglect in watching TV. They may have a full handle on life and can enjoy the luxuries afforded by civilization. Then again there are people who neglect a lot of life. Simply put, I'd recommend for you to notice what you've done. You've grossly over-stereotyped by putting every one of your colleagues who does not value writing and music into the category of people that neglect themselves and the value of life. While I may agree with you that there are people that abstain from seeking anything of value, are too afraid to grab life by the horns, and can't figure themselves out, I don't think any one of us is capable of defining adequately the categories that need to be met for someone to be considered as leading a deep existence. Don't be an arrogant artist and give people the benefit of the doubt. Assume they are awesome in their own way until you directly see that their lifestyle is negatively impacting their happiness. Only then, perhaps, is it ok for you to suggest on how they may satisfy their own desires better... and that only if you are actually their friend, they ask you for it, and they value your handle of life.
Boyfriend's parents racist? Convincing him to leave me?
I grew up in a white world so I can't say I know how you feel. I also have a hard time understanding why people are judged by their skin color instead of who they are. I don't know if this will help you but try to understand that the grandparents were brought up in a different culture and that is what they were taught. Often older people are stuck in their ways and their opinions. I'm more concerned about the boyfriend's reaction, though. You say you want to marry him. Did he stand up to his grandparents and let them know that he loves you for the person you are? If the two of you are to build a life together, there may come a time where he will have to choose between you and his family. Hopefully it will never come to that but you never know. Most importantly, you have to be confident in who you are. The color of your skin does not define the person you are. Never let anyone dictate to you how you should feel about yourself. If you do end up marrying this man, you will have a lifetime of comments and inuendos from relatives who may not approve of the marriage. The bottom line is the marriage is between the two of you. Is your boyfriend sufficiently supportive of you and how you feel to be able to stand up for you to his family if that becomes necessary? If at all possible, you may want to make a special effort to let the grandparents get to know you as a person instead of as a Dominican. This will take time and only you can decide if your relationship is worth the extra effort. Hopefully they will eventually come around and settle down. If not, they may just have to be relegated to being the annoying in-laws.
What should I know about Iranian/Persian women?
My wife is Iranian and I live in Iran. So I am qualified to answer this question.Below are the things that I found common in most Iranian Women.They are underrated in terms of education. Most of the Iranian women are well educated and intellectual and will give you a hard time in debates. There are more female university students in Iran than male students.They are really great chefs and love cooking (I die for the food my wife cooks)They are short tempered but extremely sympathetic and understanding if you can make them understand something.They hate hijabs (head covers) but most of them are not vulgar or easy to hit on unless you have a BMW or Porsche.Their opinion of Iranian men is not very good.(not all the time though)Most women in Iran (especially the modern generation) are self-sufficient and independent. They drive to their work, they work hard and support family. They don’t solely depend on husband’s or father’s pocket.From the above point I proudly conclude Iranian women are extremely cooperative and supportive.They are egoistic but generous lovers and soft-hearted.They love doing makeup.Most Iranian women are health conscious.They love dancing. Thanks User-13322474993482030941 for mentioning it.They are extremely social.Unlike all the women around the globe, they like shopping a lot! Especially shopping clothes, shoes and these kind of stuff. As mentioned by Sina TaghvaThey are fans of Apple iPhones.They have a great sense of humor and are very warm. (Believe me you will feel more at home with an Iranian woman than any European woman)Oh don’t misjudge by their warm attitude and try to hit on them. Be careful they are traditional and can be extremely picky.They may show their immense interest for foreign culture, language, and people. But at the end of the day you will hear them reciting Hafez, Sa’adi, KhayamThey all are the princesses like the queen who raised us up (Mother). Just these princesses are born in Iran.Finally….!!!!They are after all women, more precisely human beings. So if you try judge them from the point of view of a special race or tribe, you are the loser. They are individuals and have their own traits and they are not photocopies of each other. If you really want to know an Iranian woman you have to know the woman first, the culture of her country second. I guess that’s true for women around the world.All the best :-)