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I would like to know whether this phase has negative impact or it can be positive.

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    In what context did you hear this?
    – Urbycoz
    May 28, 2012 at 9:03

2 Answers 2

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First of all it's not an English expression but merely a sentence where a small place is compared to a bigger place.

I believe it implies a negative meaning, and I am not sure if it would have any impact at all unless you think it would.

It would be great if you could provide a proper context, in which you intend to use this.

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  • Thanks a lot. I think, "it's not an English expression" is what I really want to know. In my mother tongue it is a sort of positive phrase and I used it in a email which brought lost of misunderstanding.
    – 40tike
    May 27, 2012 at 18:21
  • @40tike- Literal translation from one lang to another could cause a lot of misunderstandings, and are better to avoid. If you are a new learner, then try to stick with the simple usage of English grammar and vocabulary for some time.
    – Noah
    May 27, 2012 at 19:13
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The way you have written it – on its own, absent of any context – it is very ambiguous.

I can think of at least two possible meanings:

Let's say a computer virus is wreaking havoc on the computers that control the financial markets. A troubleshooter in Amsterdam is on the phone with someone in Bombay, who says, “Nothing is working here like the rest of the world,” meaning, “Our computers are down, just like everyone else's.”

Or maybe someone is visiting a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, marveling at the efficiency of the operations. The plant manager proudly proclaims, “Nothing is working here like the rest of the world,” meaning, “This plant is very modern; it incorporates some advanced technologies and innovative practices that no one else is using.”

It's worth noting that neither of these uses is particularly positive or negative; in both cases, the speaking is merely stating factual information.

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