An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls in…

Alexis de Tocqueville
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An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say 'Gentlemen' to the person with whom he is conversing. ✨ Alexis de Tocqueville (2001). Democracy in America, p.102, Penguin
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