What is a Dear Diary moment?
Somebody from downstairs rings the bell to the apartment. Apparently it is Paul, Monica’s date for tonight. Earlier this day Monica said that this is not going to be a real date. But now the friends know for sure Monica is truly excited.
Ross: He finally asked you out?
Monica: Yes!
Chandler: Ooh, this is a Dear Diary moment.
Why does Chandler call the situation a Dear Diary moment?
Dear Diary is a common way for Americans to start an entry in a personal journal:
Dear Diary, today I was sitting in Central Perk when my long forgotten friend stormed in
Dear Diary, I think I am having a panic attack each time my mom comes over
Dear Diary, I just got asked out by Paul the wine guy!
Keeping a diary is what every nation on a planet seems to do. But what is specific to American culture here is the way of addressing the journal. Did you notice how entries are invited to take a style of a conversation? As if there is a confidant by the name Diary waiting for you on each blank of a page. One way conversation, monologue yes, yet still a conversation.
Can't speak for every country, but in Russia we don’t have such widely recognized forms to address a diary or for writing in one. So why this "Dear Diary" form became sort of idiomatic in the American culture?
The United States has a longer, than more Eastern cultures, trend for individualism. But what does it mean if culture of a country is more individual oriented? It means that the culture's man is more clear in who she's as a person. Such human is more likely to know where she is heading in her own life.
The next big task for an individual from individualistic culture is to get better at communicating this info to the world. This is where the Dear Diary form comes on a stage. See there is a big difference in the amount of clarity between free-writing as no one will ever read the flood of your thoughts and conversation style as if you are talking to someone. Even if this friend is made of paper and called Diary.
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I'd love to hear your take on this joke. Please do share!
Katia
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