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Re:Ask HN: How friendly is Berlin for startups? by Turing_Machine on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @02:54AM (#14543260)
Body language and eye contact protocols differ between cultures. A lot.

Have you considered the possibility that you are presenting yourself as what they see as rude and unfriendly, thus leading them to be uncomfortable while serving you?

Re:Ask HN: How friendly is Berlin for startups? by sedachv on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @04:49AM (#14543596)
Have you considered the possibility that maybe it is you who is misunderstanding people? For example, my comment about eye contact and body language was actually an insult meant to imply that you lacked the ability to read either. On the other hand I usually have pleasant interactions with workers, and I also do not go around complaining when I receive less than enthusiastic service. One of the manners that helps in having pleasant interactions is avoiding giving strangers unsolicited advice, about their behavior or otherwise.
Re:Ask HN: How friendly is Berlin for startups? by Turing_Machine on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @11:14AM (#14545373)
"Have you considered the possibility that maybe it is you who is misunderstanding people?"

Well, we have two alternatives here:

1) A person who grew up in a culture has a gross misunderstanding of the norms of that culture.

2) Someone who grew up in a totally different culture has a gross misunderstanding of the norms of that culture.

Now, which of those two seems more likely to you?

"For example, my comment about eye contact and body language was actually an insult meant to imply that you lacked the ability to read either."

Oh, I got that. I was just attempting to be polite by ignoring you being a jerk. Maybe someone is forcing me to do "unpaid emotional labor" or something.

Once again: it's not them. It's you.

Re:Ask HN: How friendly is Berlin for startups? by sedachv on Tuesday June 13, 2017 @02:18PM (#14547187)
My original comment was to point out the cultural inappropriateness and onerousness of late stage capitalists' demands for emotional labor.

Your response was to suggest that it is actually my fault and that I am behaving inappropriately.

You see nothing insulting about that? You are the jerk here.

Re:Ask HN: How friendly is Berlin for startups? by Turing_Machine on Friday June 16, 2017 @05:38AM (#14567653)
You seem to be a very unpleasant person all around. Goodbye.