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As for The Mapp... I suspect it'll never get a US publication. It seemed to frighten US publishers. They don't seem to understand it. That seems to point up a significant difference between Europeans and Americans: A European says: I can't understand this, what's wrong with me? An American says: I can't understand this, what's wrong with him? I make no suggestion that one side or other is right, but observation over many years leads me to believe it is true.

Terry Pratchett#6

CommunicationAmericaCultureEuropeSelf reflectionUnderstanding

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Pratchett observes a cultural difference in how Europeans and Americans react to confusion. Europeans tend to blame themselves, while Americans tend to blame the speaker.
In plain terms
Europeans assume they are at fault when confused; Americans assume the speaker is at fault.
What can you take from it?
Cultural backgrounds shape how we interpret misunderstandings.

Where it applies

  • cross-cultural discussions
  • reading literature
  • international business

Putting it to work

  • approach misunderstandings with humility
  • consider cultural context in communication

Questions to consider

  • How do you react when you don't understand something?
  • Is this trait learned or innate?

Another view

This generalization may not apply to every individual.

More from Terry Pratchett

  1. Life doesn't happen in chapters- at least, not regular ones. Nor do movies. Homer didn't write in chapters. I can see what their purpose is in children's books…

    Permalink to quote #5

  2. Imagination, not intelligence, made us human.

    Permalink to quote #7

  3. As they say in Discworld, we are trying to unravel the Mighty Infinite using a language which was designed to tell one another where the fresh fruit was.

    Permalink to quote #4

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