Vocaboly.com

[Charles Riggs]

I resolved not to let such Americanisms as "Have a nice day" and
"There you go" bother me again once I re-arrived on these shores.
Easy, those were expected, but there is a whole range of odd
expressions and mannerisms to deal with for someone who has grown
accustomed to what -- gentler, more civilized, more polite ways of
expressing oneself? realizing how subjective these terms are.

To keep things brief, I'll relate only the most shocking example of
what I'm talking about. Last weekend when I returned the empty cup to
the counter where I'd ordered a cup of coffee ten minutes before, the
girl behind the counter said "quarter". Since she appeared to be
addressing me and I had no idea what she was talking about, I
naturally said "Sorry?". Again, "quarter". On questioning her briefly,
it became clear she was assuming I wanted a refill -- an American
habit in itself to provide free or inexpensive ones -- and was
informing me in her clipped way that she'd like 25 cents ["please", in
my way] to refill the cup. Only in America.

I hope it won't get any worse, although I fear some American might ask
me on a hot day next summer "Is it hot enough for you?" and I still
won't know how to answer.
--
Charles Riggs

They are no accented letters in my email address

[Sara Lorimer]

Charles Riggs wrote:

[Adrian Bailey]

"Charles Riggs" <chriggs@comcást.net> wrote in message
news:k4guo0lc8fdgs0809efv6ql74c24ga7c86@4ax.com...

[something interesting]

Ah, that's better, much better. KUTGW

Adrian

[don groves]

In article <1gmxdii.r2ciel91phcN%que.sara.saraDELETE@gmail.com>,
Sara Lorimer at que.sara.saraDELETE@gmail.com poured forth...