Things I've had to explain about the U.S.

[brtlmj 0]

I guess they don't include sales tax on the ticket because it's different in every state and that would mean allocating where a particular shipment will go at the time of labeling.

I don't recall ever seeing price tag on the actual merchandise... it's always on the shelf, isn't it ? I might be wrong, haven't been to the States for a few months

but it's still damn irritating!

Can't disagree here

Bartek

[AFQuaid 18]

Oh what a fantastic thread.

First off I need to just say you guys aren't alone about the whole ...thinking you're from australia or mexico. When I went to visit Andy with my parents and they stayed in the hotel. They were called australians, italians and germans..... then some girl who was serving them told my dad he didn't speak very good english. He told her out right he speaks the queens english, she gives him a funny look and asks him whos this queen person he speaks of. He had to explain we were all scottish but moved to england and visiting california! And this person wasn't american either...

Things Andy has had to explain to me:

Fiona: Honey, why are there trees in the middle of the roads?

Andy: For heavens sake woman they're on an island they aren't just in the middle of the road stuck in the tar.

__________________

Mother in law hands plate to Fiona

Fiona: *Ohhhh * whats this thing....green long things here?

Andy: Thats asparagus dear....don't tell me you've never had asparagus!

__________________________________________________________

Andy and Fiona roll into the mall....lady comes upto us and tries to help

Fiona: This is soooo weird, in England shop assistants never help!

Andy: *head in his hands* You're in america dear, I'm beginning to think you're from a third world country.

___________________________________________________________

Fiona: Can you pass me my trainers please?

Marcy (sister-in law to be); you're what? trainees?

Andy: Shoes Marcy, they can sneakers trainers....

Marcy: You're gonna be an american girl....shoes are shoes!

____________________________________________________________

Andy and Fiona at the county fair....We go to a stand with wrap things...

Fiona: *Psst...* what have they just given me?

Andy: *can't stop laughing* a tacoo

LOUD PEOPLE TALKING

Fiona: A PORNO?

Andy: TACOO!!

Man at the stand: ANOTHER TACOO COMING UP SIR!

________________________________________________________

[meauxna 15]

____________________________________________________________

Andy and Fiona at the county fair....We go to a stand with wrap things...

Fiona: *Psst...* what have they just given me?

Andy: *can't stop laughing* a tacoo

LOUD PEOPLE TALKING

Fiona: A PORNO?

Andy: TACOO!!

Man at the stand: ANOTHER TACOO COMING UP SIR!

________________________________________________________

Love it!

And for the gods' sake, learn how to say it properly. My husband still gets me in stitches the way he says 'taco'.

Great stories, Fiona!

[Fischkoepfin 1]

I guess they don't include sales tax on the ticket because it's different in every state and that would mean allocating where a particular shipment will go at the time of labeling. I see that logic, but it's still damn irritating!

I do understand that, but there's no reason why stores couldn't display the full price or as a matter of fact bars and restaurants. There's nothing worse than going out for some drinks and having to calculate tax into the price a few hours later...

[thesnowman 1]

Although I havent moved over yet (my petition is*somewhere*) I visted last year from the UK and the turning at a red light confused the hell out of me. Other things I was asked questions about where

1. Banks having drive through ATMs

2. The amount of fast food places.

3. The lack of a City/town centers

4. Tiny towns in the middle of nowhere being called a City

5. Tax not included on price tag.

6. Breakdown of federal, state and local taxes and goverment.

7. The point of stopping at a stop sign even when nothing is coming.

8. The ability to undertake

9. Having customer service (made me realise how bad it is in the UK)

The funniest thing when we were there though was speaking to one of her cousins. He asked me where I came from and told him I stayed in London, England. He then asked if that was on the east or west coast.

[jessibicho 0]

This is a great thread! I have laughed reading them all...

These are questions that I had to ask my husband when I was living in Ecuador :

1. Why does no one have change for a 20?

2. Why is there no one out on a Sunday?

3. Why is customer service so dreadfully bad?

4. Why dont the cars stop for you to cross the road? And why do they speed up at you?

5. Why cant you flush toilet paper?

6. Why are there no traffic police?

7. Why do people just cut infront of everyone else in line?? - This one I will never understand

8. Why are motorcycles allowed to drive on the sidewalk?

I taught ESL at a university in Quito and some of my students asked me some funny stuff about the US - my fav was

"Is it true about America?"

Me - Is what true?

"Is it true like in the movie American pie? Do they do that there?"

- I didnt know what to say because he was referring to the sex scene with a pie - an uncomfortable discussion to have with a student, so I laughed and said no and changed the subject.

Another one was the concept of the mailbox. I showed them a pic of my house and they all asked what is that little box there - so cute!

Forgot a recent one. Sent some pics to my husband (I am in the states and he is in Ecuador). Took a pic of my dog. He says " That is a very small park where you took your dog."

I said " Honey, that is the back yard."

Him - "What is that?"

Me - "Well generally there is a back yard and a front yard here."

Him - "So you all are surronded by gardens?"

[mrswooten4ever 0]

LOL the yard and garden thing keep Mike and I going for ages. A yard is small and paved a garden is a lawn surrounded by flowed beds. Always wondered how he managed to mow the yard. The other thing that makes my teenage daughter and I hoot with laughter is the American use of the word "fannie". Every time we see the episode of the Simpsons were Skinner's mother yells that her fannie is baboon red from the long trip,we crack up and tears roll down our cheeks

Adele

[Jaylen Brit 0]

The yard thing always gets me as well - Lenny always corrects me on it - but I still 'see' a 'yard' in my head as a paved over, tiny area..lol

[LenJayUS 0]

that would be a patio...

:-)

[mrswooten4ever 0]

LOL You mean a deck dont you?

[eau_xplain 2]

LOL You mean a deck dont you?

Oh no no! A deck is a big wooden thing (usually) on stilts that's attached to the back of the house. It's something that a man HAS to build if his house doesn't have one yet .. :lol:

My husband is already talking about putting up a deck. I told him he needs to leave some space for my swimming pool. :lol:

[Jaylen Brit 0]

We have 2 decks - one outside the back door and one round the pool lol

When i say 'we' I mean 'him' but me too soon

[CanGal 1]

i got a kick out of the word tickled. Everyone says that here, i think it's funny.

[pj1959us 0]

Another one was the concept of the mailbox. I showed them a pic of my house and they all asked what is that little box there - so cute!

You reminded me of another that caught David offguard at first. I had to mail a letter and a package so went out the front door to put them outside. I came back in and looked at me with an expression of "how did you go do that so fast?". I explained we can just leave them out in the mailbox and the postal carrier just picks up the mail or packages for me. He was amazed!!! I guess you actually have to go OUT and put the mail (er, post, sorry) in one of those boxes or take it to the post office. How uncivilized!!!

[pax 0]

Another one was the concept of the mailbox. I showed them a pic of my house and they all asked what is that little box there - so cute!

You reminded me of another that caught David offguard at first. I had to mail a letter and a package so went out the front door to put them outside. I came back in and looked at me with an expression of "how did you go do that so fast?". I explained we can just leave them out in the mailbox and the postal carrier just picks up the mail or packages for me. He was amazed!!! I guess you actually have to go OUT and put the mail (er, post, sorry) in one of those boxes or take it to the post office. How uncivilized!!!

OMG, that's so funny...I just did the same thing yesterday and Ewen was also very surprised! I stuck a stamp on my water bill and put it out in the mailbox. He asked me what I was doing; a bit taken aback, I said that I was mailing the water bill. He asked, somewhat incredulously, if the mailperson would just pick it up like that, and I said, yes, as long as it has a stamp... He said that Royal Mail would NEVER do that!