How to Speak to Non-WASPy People
Entrepreneur.com offers a handy bullet pointed list of tips for conducting business with those who didn't fall directly off the Mayflower. A sample "tip":
Speak more slowly than you normally do, but don't raise your voice because you think the other person can't understand you. Volume doesn't usually increase comprehension. Also, don't speak down to them as if they're children.
This is clearly a lesson the author learned by trial and error after hours of yelling slowly at some unfortunate non-English speaking person who probably had an exponentially higher IQ. "WE'RE HERE TO BUUUUY YOUR COM-PA-NY. AND PAY YOU 83% LESSS THAN MAAAARKET VALUUE."
Also:
Avoid slang, buzzwords, idioms, jargon and lingo. These can all be easily misunderstood by those whose primary language isn't your own. Just use simple language until you can get an idea of what level of your language they understand.
"LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE AT TWOOOO AND A HALF TIIIIIMES THE ORIGINAL INVEEEEEEESTMENT..."
Comments
What's wrong with you? There is a world of difference between foreign cultures and being a WASP or being able to trace one's ancestry to the Mayflower. I don't know, maybe you haven't been to New York, but the vast majority of native English speakers (even whites) would not consider themselves a WASP or have any connection to the Mayflower.
You look even more ridiculous with this commentary while running ads for When Do We Eat?, targeted to a non-WASPy group.
Posted by: offended | March 29, 2006 01:08 PM
I'm pretty sure the post was mocking that, offended.
Posted by: wha? | March 29, 2006 01:54 PM
As a WASP who, in fact, *lives* in New York, I'm offended that you're offended! And I don't get your point, either.
Posted by: Elizabeth Spiers | March 29, 2006 01:55 PM