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Originally Posted by tdol  There are ways in which British and Americans differ- the British are less likely to start up conversations in certain sittuations, like elevators, where we'll happily travel in complete silence, which Americans seem to start talking. |
I have experienced the same thing since moving from the UK to Barcelona. Here it is normal to say hello and goodbye to everyone when you/they enter and leave a lift. A big culture shock, second only to people doing the same thing (but normally only in office blocks) when entering or leaving the toilet.
The noise level in places like restaurants here is awesome, with everyone appearing to talk at the same time. I think it is a cultural thing based on the fact that life is lived outside the home here much more than the UK, and there is a completely different concept of what may be termed "private space". Because people generally have more limited home space, and young people often live at home up until the mid 30s, the only way to find privacy is often to go out. The subjects of conversations in public places are often very personal, and I have heard much more than I ever wanted to about people's medical problems.