moving to america

[trillium13 84]

What still gets me going is the greeting here in Texas. When people walk of and say: "have a good one". Always wondering what that "one" is supposed to mean. Why can't you just say have a good day?!

Texas speak is a language all its own, isn't it.

Some of my favorites:

I'm fixin' to...(whatever you're about to do)

Go ahead and...(whatever you're about to ask or tell someone to do)

'Preciate ya (instead of thank you)

I like to...(whatever you almost did)

Dad gum it! (instead of damn it)

Can't think of any more right now!

[Kar98 0]

What still gets me going is the greeting here in Texas. When people walk of and say: "have a good one". Always wondering what that "one" is supposed to mean. Why can't you just say have a good day?!

Texas speak is a language all its own, isn't it.

Some of my favorites:

I'm fixin' to...(whatever you're about to do)

Go ahead and...(whatever you're about to ask or tell someone to do)

'Preciate ya (instead of thank you)

I like to...(whatever you almost did)

Dad gum it! (instead of damn it)

Can't think of any more right now!

[LaGreenEyes 0]

What still gets me going is the greeting here in Texas. When people walk of and say: "have a good one". Always wondering what that "one" is supposed to mean. Why can't you just say have a good day?!

Texas speak is a language all its own, isn't it.

Some of my favorites:

I'm fixin' to...(whatever you're about to do)

Go ahead and...(whatever you're about to ask or tell someone to do)

'Preciate ya (instead of thank you)

I like to...(whatever you almost did)

Dad gum it! (instead of damn it)

Can't think of any more right now!

Go ahead and add on to this post cuz I'm fixin to put down an idea. But dad gum it! I couldn't remember now what it was! I like to have pulled my hair out thinking about it. Well...ya'll VJ folks are too much..'Preciate ya!

[TBoneTX 45,309]

There are plenty of dangers in the world for both cats and dogs. [...] I'll get down from my soapbox now.

Stay on soapbox. The "plenty of dangers" include psycho American pre-teens, such as the 11-year-old ADD poster-child who lives next door part-time. A sweet orange cat, which either lives on the next block or has been abandoned (I suspect the former, because it's tame, clean, and well-fed), comes around frequently. It strops my legs, purrs nonstop, pushes for strokes, and climbs my leg in hopes that I'll scratch its head. It tries to follow me into my house (sadly, a no-no due to resident indoor feline). The ADD boy recently tied the cat's neck to a leash and dragged it down the pavement, bloodying its paw. (Fortunately, other neighbors provided first aid and have semi-adopted the cat.) My wife can't believe this cruelty (and I consider the kid's actions to be justification for "retroactive birth control"). Is such behavior (cruelty to animals) the same in other countries? How do other immigrant spouses react to such stories, and -- if such behavior is, uh, foreign to them, how do we explain it to them?

[TBoneTX 45,309]

Texas speak is a language all its own, isn't it.

Si, man, and we can also spell & pronounce "Canandaigua." Go on Amazon.com and search for "Texas Dictionary" to see what comes up (I haven't tried, but it should prove promising). Such books are fun for the USC and the foreign spouse as solo or shared reading, and the sayings therein can lead to some mighty fun discussions.

Example: "How're yew?" "Ah'm fahn'r 'n' frawg herr; how 'bout yew?"

Transl.: "How are you?" "I'm finer than frog hair; how about you?"

Si, man.

[Aubrey 10]

There are plenty of dangers in the world for both cats and dogs. [...] I'll get down from my soapbox now.

Stay on soapbox. The "plenty of dangers" include psycho American pre-teens, such as the 11-year-old ADD poster-child who lives next door part-time. A sweet orange cat, which either lives on the next block or has been abandoned (I suspect the former, because it's tame, clean, and well-fed), comes around frequently. It strops my legs, purrs nonstop, pushes for strokes, and climbs my leg in hopes that I'll scratch its head. It tries to follow me into my house (sadly, a no-no due to resident indoor feline). The ADD boy recently tied the cat's neck to a leash and dragged it down the pavement, bloodying its paw. (Fortunately, other neighbors provided first aid and have semi-adopted the cat.) My wife can't believe this cruelty (and I consider the kid's actions to be justification for "retroactive birth control"). Is such behavior (cruelty to animals) the same in other countries? How do other immigrant spouses react to such stories, and -- if such behavior is, uh, foreign to them, how do we explain it to them?

You realize that is illegal, don't you? You should be contacting the authorities (animal control or the similar) and they will investigate the situation and remove the animal. No animal deserves to be treated that way, and that's why there are laws on the books against abusing animals.

[Kinito_2k3 5]

I personally think it's really inconsiderate, and rather irresponsible, to be letting your pets run wild all over the place.

Not if your cat isn't stupidly exploring the road.. I've never known anyone in the UK to have problems with their cat being killed outside because they naturally stay away from it. I have however known several people in the US who have had their cat killed because of this. So when I get a cat in the US, it will be indoor.

Here where I am, it's not just about roads being a hazard. There is a really sad amount of cat and dog roadkill here, but that's only part of it. There are plenty of dangers in the world for both cats and dogs. For one thing, people don't like to spay or neuter their pets here. This leads to a lot of wandering pets, spread of disease, lots of unwanted litters, and plenty of fighting.

There are diseases cats can get by fighting with and interacting with other cats. They are fatal. I'm not just talking about rabies here.

I think the thing that annoys me the most about this situation is the lack of consideration for neighbors. I don't want other people's cats in my yard-mating, spraying, scratching up my car, killing the pretty birds, harassing my indoor cats. I know of many people with livestock who lose them on a regular basis to free roaming dogs. If I have my dog in my own yard or on my own leash, I don't appreciate other dogs coming onto my property and harassing my pets or crapping on my lawn.

I'll get down from my soapbox now.

That is natural selection

[Gemmie 142]

There are plenty of dangers in the world for both cats and dogs. [...] I'll get down from my soapbox now.

Stay on soapbox. The "plenty of dangers" include psycho American pre-teens, such as the 11-year-old ADD poster-child who lives next door part-time. A sweet orange cat, which either lives on the next block or has been abandoned (I suspect the former, because it's tame, clean, and well-fed), comes around frequently. It strops my legs, purrs nonstop, pushes for strokes, and climbs my leg in hopes that I'll scratch its head. It tries to follow me into my house (sadly, a no-no due to resident indoor feline). The ADD boy recently tied the cat's neck to a leash and dragged it down the pavement, bloodying its paw. (Fortunately, other neighbors provided first aid and have semi-adopted the cat.) My wife can't believe this cruelty (and I consider the kid's actions to be justification for "retroactive birth control"). Is such behavior (cruelty to animals) the same in other countries? How do other immigrant spouses react to such stories, and -- if such behavior is, uh, foreign to them, how do we explain it to them?

That isn't normal at all, even in foreign countries, as far as I know. That's animal cruelty and should be reported.

I understand where you're coming from with cats roaming about in neighbour's yards and whatnot, Trillium. I guess as it's common here (I've never heard of an indoor cat), everyone kinda accepts that as normal. Cats come up to you when you're waiting at the bus-stop for you to pet them. We do have them neutered and vaccinated though. Oh, and we never let dogs roam around free.. do you mean in the yard, or literally roaming around the streets?

[Kar98 0]

Oh, and we never let dogs roam around free.. do you mean in the yard, or literally roaming around the streets?

She means literally roaming around unfettered and unrestricted.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

You should be contacting the authorities (animal control or the similar) and they will investigate the situation and remove the animal.

Here, removal by Animal Control, placement in most animal shelters, etc. is a ticket to the animal's quick death. Fortunately, my other neighbors have semi-adopted the cat, and I will also look out for it when I see it around. I believe that it belongs to someone on a nearby street, but to whom is anyone's guess. I would, however, like to see the future juvenile delinquent institutionalized.

[Wyld Blu 35]

You should be contacting the authorities (animal control or the similar) and they will investigate the situation and remove the animal.

Here, removal by Animal Control, placement in most animal shelters, etc. is a ticket to the animal's quick death. Fortunately, my other neighbors have semi-adopted the cat, and I will also look out for it when I see it around. I believe that it belongs to someone on a nearby street, but to whom is anyone's guess. I would, however, like to see the future juvenile delinquent institutionalized.

Just curious if anyone ever talked to this kids parents?

-Blu-(currently the proud owner of 2 horses, 2 dogs, 4 cats (all indoor) 1 pygmy goat, 1 asian water dragon and various pond fish.)

[NatPatBen 3]

Here's another one, what do you bring with you when invited to someone's house? I know there are some differences between us and Europe, but I don't know about other parts.

I bring a bottle of very sweet dessert wine (Moscato Allegro or Moscato D'Asti) or some fresh baked cookies from Central Market (similar to Whole Foods).

[trillium13 84]

I personally think it's really inconsiderate, and rather irresponsible, to be letting your pets run wild all over the place.

Not if your cat isn't stupidly exploring the road.. I've never known anyone in the UK to have problems with their cat being killed outside because they naturally stay away from it. I have however known several people in the US who have had their cat killed because of this. So when I get a cat in the US, it will be indoor.

I think the thing that annoys me the most about this situation is the lack of consideration for neighbors. I don't want other people's cats in my yard-mating, spraying, scratching up my car, killing the pretty birds, harassing my indoor cats. I know of many people with livestock who lose them on a regular basis to free roaming dogs. If I have my dog in my own yard or on my own leash, I don't appreciate other dogs coming onto my property and harassing my pets or crapping on my lawn.

I'll get down from my soapbox now.

That is natural selection

No, that is irresponsible people bringing pets into the world and not taking care of them.

[trillium13 84]

Go ahead and add on to this post cuz I'm fixin to put down an idea. But dad gum it! I couldn't remember now what it was! I like to have pulled my hair out thinking about it. Well...ya'll VJ folks are too much..'Preciate ya!

I thought of another one today: using the word "carry" instead of "take". As in, "I carried my wife to the grocery store today to get eggs and bread".

I was actually quite confused by this use of the word at first.

[TBoneTX 45,309]

"I carried my wife to the grocery store today to get eggs and bread".

Holy mackerel... even I, an ensconced and long-term Texan, had never heard this one. Was it a redneck from East Texas, or (worse) a Texas Aggie?

Q: Why do Aggies keep their diplomas on their car dashboards?

A: So they can park in the Handicapped zones, si man.