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Subject:Writing for the touchy American? From:Steven Jong <SteveFJong -at- AOL -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 8 Jan 1999 10:45:01 EST
As a technical writer working in the US, I've been exposed to a lot of
anecdotes and advice on how to write for international audiences: don't make
this analogy, don't use that color, don't joke, and so forth. We've also heard
many stories about the cultural mores of other countries: personal space,
shaking hands, length of skirt, etc. Some of it sounds petty to me, but I know
I'm self-centered 8^)
I am wondering: For writers working outside the US, are there analogous
anecdotes and advice about how to write for the US market? Are there things
that writers have to watch out for to avoid offending touchy Americans? Are
Americans considered tolerant of everything? Or do you guys not care? 8^)
I'm genuinely curious and not flame-baiting. I'll be happy to summarize
responses for the list if you want to send me e-mail directly. Thanks in
advance!
-- Steve
Steven Jong, Documentation Team Manager ("Typo? What tpyo?")
Lightbridge, Inc, 67 S. Bedford St., Burlington, MA 01803 USA mailto:Jong -at- lightbridge -dot- com 781.359.4902[V], 781.359.4500[F]
Home Sweet Homepage: http://members.aol.com/SteveFJong
