Is there any reason why...?

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

...no-one in a Hollywood film ever says goodbye to someone in a phone conversation? I wondered whether it's an American thing or what, but every time someone has a phone conversation in a film they just hang up abruptly without even saying goodbye. Is this supposed to build tension or the cultural reflection of a very rude nation of people?

[madhair60]

I don't think this is the case at all!

Edit: Sorry.

[Blumf]

The same people who don't lock their car doors?

Bu-bye.

[babyshambler]

They got it from baaad daaad.

[Neville Chamberlain]

I too have noticed this, but can offer nothing in the way of examples in order for me to exemplify my statement.

*slams receiver down*

[Dead kate moss]

They often look at the phone too after hanging up, which no one ever does.

[Saucer51]

"Gimme a milkshake (or whatever)" instead of a "A milkshake, please."

Is it an accurate portrayal of Americans? Is it as ill-mannered as it sounds to British ears or is it simply a quirk of their grammar and no harm intended?

[Zetetic]

And no-one ever orders tea.

[The Boston Crab]

Grammatical quirk, I'd have thought. On a related note, Spaniards say 'dame...', i.e. 'give me...', in shops/restaurants/bars, etc. Dunno if the US usage reflects an Hispanic influence.

I had a Glaswegian friend who used to say "I'll get a..." when he was making requests. It amused me no end. I don't know if that was particular to him or whether it's a regional thing.

[phantom_power]

isn't it just that those sorts of things are extraneous and therefore get cut out or just not filmed anyway. there is a saying about screenwriting that you should try to start a scene as late as possible and end it as early as possible, unless your film is a rambling character study

[SavageHedgehog]

I'm far more bothered by Americans never seeming to lock their bathrooms when they're on the toilet or in the shower, at least if sitcoms are anything to go by.

[Neville Chamberlain]

isn't it just that those sorts of things are extraneous and therefore get cut out or just not filmed anyway. there is a saying about screenwriting that you should try to start a scene as late as possible and end it as early as possible, unless your film is a rambling character study

Yes, but even so, a bit of manners never hurt anyone!

[Famous Mortimer]

Americans do order stuff in a way that sounds v. impolite to these cultured English ears.

[Neville Chamberlain]

One thing I learnt in Germany, where people are generally much more to the point when ordering in bars/restaurants etc. (as in America), is that what sounds cultured and polite to my English ears just sounds like a lot of pointless waffle to their German ears.

[Depressed Beyond Tables]

...no-one in a Hollywood film ever says goodbye to someone in a phone conversation? I wondered whether it's an American thing or what, but every time someone has a phone conversation in a film they just hang up abruptly without even saying goodbye. Is this supposed to build tension or the cultural reflection of a very rude nation of people?

In all seriousness, it's because bad actors make the natural and sometimes awkward exchange of "goodbye" look hammy.

[rudi]

I rarely say goodbye on the phone, especially at work. I do to old folk as they expect it but it's mostly unnecessary otherwise. Am I a American-do?