Hunglish.orgAn honest look at which you'd rather prefer, the candy-coated falsity of American flattery or the normal indifferent mannerisms of the modern day Hungarian.
Written by Scott Savoie
One tends to think that manners are universal.
When we are brought up, we are all given a set of manners and we are taught that people who don’t abide by those same manners are rude and uncultured.
In the southern part of the United States, you might find a girl, for example in a shop, that utters the phrases. "Hey, how y’all doing?” and ”Y’all have a nice day now, y’hear?” 5000 times or more per day with a huge toothy grin that is every bit as fake as her breasts.
This is considered normal behaviour.
She cares not one whit how the customers are doing, she gives not one rat’s turd about how the rest of the client’s day will unfold. Her speech is just a habit. People can see that it is fake, but, as with the breasts, they don’t care.
In Hungary, you are greeted by a shopgirl will the same "Jó napot kivánok,” but with a falling tone. It tends to sound less impasssioned, but probably reflects the true mood of the attendant.
This is also just a habit.
The difference between the two cultures seems to be between false kindness or sincere indifference.