I read people say online that Americans are loud. What does this mean, exactly? Is it literal volume or is it our personality/presentation? Something else?

I may be moving to Australia because of my wife’s job, and I want to better understand this. I want to assimilate and I don’t want to be annoying. I’m personally pretty low key and listen more than speak, but this is my perception of myself.

  • Dadifer@lemmy.world
    7·
    5 months ago

    I went to Geneva, Switzerland when I was in college. There was a public square with about 1000 Swiss eating at different tables, all leaning forward like they were telling secrets. We 6 American college students were louder than all the 1000 Swiss in the square, by volume.

    • WindyRebel@lemmy.worldOP
      2·
      5 months ago

      Wow. Any reason why you kept going? If I noticed that then I would probably mimic others nearby.

      Thanks for your reply!

      • Dadifer@lemmy.world
        2·
        5 months ago

        We were just laughing and talking among ourselves as per usual. This was before cellphones.

    • Dasus@lemmy.world
      2·
      5 months ago

      We 6 American college students were louder than all the 1000 Swiss in the square, by volume.

      You noticed this and just kept going?

        • Dasus@lemmy.world
          2·
          5 months ago

          I wasn’t even being judgmental. Just curious. I basically have a personality disorder because I have a loud voice and am kinda extroverted. But I think if I were to live in like L.A. I’d be considered introverted. Maybe average for like rural Minnesota.