bizMe

Picking out your clothes for the first day of school is a big deal at the start of each year. This does not change for the first day of work. But the first day of work in a different country, brings on an even extra fear . . . more than picking out an outfit for the first day of college after twelve years in a uniform.

The style of dress is very different in Europe. My bright pick wardrobe stood out against the backdrop of Europe’s dark and sleek styles. The browns, blacks and white intimidated me, and I felt uncomfortable wearing colors. In the States I could do an entire load of pinks in a week, here I’m embarrassed to wear my bright, happy colors. But, Europe has more than just a different style of dress. They also have a different style of writing.

As a journalist the AP Style Guide is the bible. It is the go to book that I carry with me everywhere. It is tabbed up and marked up. It is very loved. After I wrote my first letter in the AP style, they said I wrote like an American. Then they laughed at me. Apparently, Americans overuse capital letters. I was handed a new book to know and love: The Economist style guide.

I felt betrayed and useless. The book I had come to depend on was no longer valid. I needed to learn an entirely new format. And starting back at square one made me incredibly frustrated.

They told me to hold it, love it, sleep with it. It was to be my new best friend. While many of the changes are minimal, there is a very different writing style. There are small things such as less punctuation and less capitalization, but the format is also different.

There are small changes, but they make a difference. Writing takes a more formal tone. All letter z’s have been replaced with the letter s—even with metro stations such as Elisabeth. Microsoft Word keeps correcting my spelling of color, and asks me to change to colour. Words also have a different cadence and writing is different from speaking. It has a formality to it. Learning this new style has strengthened my writing. It revolves less on American slang and focuses more on formalities. My new clear and concise words have taught me to make my point in a direct manner, because my thought pattern has changed.

Style is an important concept, both in the US and in Europe. You are judged based on first impressions, whether it is though your clothing or through your writing. First impressions have value, and your style is one way to let your personality shine through. Through adapting to European styles I am able to fit in, but by adding my own little touches I still am me.