Russian, Ents, and the socially rude Americans

Ok so that title probably really throws you off eh? Just something I have been thinking of lately.

Have you ever seen Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers? If you have you know what an Ent is.... It is a mythical talking tree. There is a scene in that movie where several of these Ents come together to council with one another and figure out wether they will march to war or not. Now these Ents all can speak English but they have their own language called entish, which in reality sounds a lot like a series of creaks and groans and all together twigs snapping. Anyway, they start speaking to one another. And then there is a cut scene and the next time you see them it is probably about midnight. They started talking in the very early morning hours. Merri (one of the hobbits in the movie) wonders what they are talking about and this is the ensuing conversation.

pippin: what do you think they are sayin?
Merri: I don't know. I hope they reach a decision soon.
(treebeard walks over): we have just finished..... (trails to silence)
Pippin: ...finished what?
Treebeard: we have just finished saying 'good morning.'
Merri: but it's nighttime!?
Treebeard: now young master merriadoc don't be hasty. Takes a long time to say anything in all of entish, and we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say...

Ok now very random scene eh? Yes it is lol but I have been thinking. In every other language than English, it takes a long time to say anything... But I believe that that is because when other countries sit down or gather to talk together they intend on taking time to do it. They enjoy sitting down and actually having a conversation with each other instead of just speaking at each other. Now yes all these languages have shortened versions of their speech, but when in public or speaking with close friends or acquaintances they use a very very formal way of speaking. (the longer version lol) I was speaking to one of my Hispanic co-workers the other day and they brought up this topic.... She asked me this question...

"why are Americans so rude and fast when they talk?"

I asked her to clarify and asked if I did this. This was her answer.

"no I feel that you actually talk to me and other people. But all other Americans never seem to want to talk to each other... They always seem so rude and like they have no time for each other .... It just seems rude to me."

I think as our language has seemed to get easier and more "lazy" if you will. We have lost our ability and want to talk to each other. Why don't we just sit and converse with each other?

The reason russian is added in the title is because I kind of tend to associate Russian with being the equal of entish. It takes a long time for them to say much of anything. But they thoroughly enjoy spending time with each other.

Anyway just some thoughts.