Recent content by gaijinalways

This caught my eye, but maybe my parents live in another America, or they just know better service people! Service In the States, true, difficult to get people to come the same day, unless it really is an emergency. But they usually come within a range of time (or earlier). In Japan, it...

Good thread Maciamo. Word meanings are a common area of pitfalls for my students, as they often might intend an obscure meaning within a sentence where the usual meaning would be quite different. Another problem is often the register of their expression as well, with intended casual responses...

You're right Kinsao, and lot of fruit and vegtables are grown in hot houses now, so it is confusing when something is in season. Here in Japan my wife buys strawberries year round.

What we Americans call 'caller ID'. Quite a few Americans use that too, but of course that doesn't help id your friend who calls from a payphone (maybe his cell is dead, or he doesn't have a cellphone). What we Americans call the 'call waiting' feature (it's available in Japan too). I agree...

A shame this topic languished. You often get more people in Europe I think on the dole as the benefits are generally more generous than some other countries. My wife and I when we stayed in the Baker Street area in London used to see the same woman every day asking for spare change. I was...

Maciamo, Very interesting, thanx for the info, a lot to digest. True, I love Nordic skiiing!

There is a volume setting on the answering machine, so if you don't wish to hear it it can be turned down while you're sleeping, though usually the answering machine is not in the bedroom. One reason people want to hear iy sometimes is that they screen calls, because they may not wish to talk...

I didn't know it was under the Nestle brand now, still haven't seen it unless they changed the name too. You best explain it to a pub full of Scotsman then, but make sure an exit is handy if you wish to avoid flying bottles.

From what I understand, one of the leading chemists was British. I met a colleague of his when traveling in Japan, and he told me at the time it was released the said chemist was a minor celebrity in the UK. I didn't say they wanted to be remembered for it, I just said that they are. Tiptree...

Hmm Macimo, you always seem to hit a nerve. I noticed this thread has been dead for a while. Yes, the Americans seem to be serious over WWII, though you noticed MASH which portrays doctors working in the VIetnam conflict, is very humourous( and gut wrenching at times). You say the French never...

Language would stand out for me. Sorry IMO the food brands aren't quite international, excepting Liptons and Whittards maybe. As to inventions, yes, Viagra appears to be a milestone!

This seemed to be worse, sorry I didn't keep the receipt. There was more than just a table charge. Unfortunately, this is quite common in Pisa and I have heard in Rome as well. At least at some of the restaurants, the charges are posted; tableware, cheese, pepper and salt, etc.., but I still...

Got you Maciamo, I misread what you meant by being 'ripped off'. I would think that would be more a case of not getting what you expected. When they charge fo silverware and using pepper and salt in Pisa, Italy, that's a rip off! As to getting a bigger cup of coffee, I always look forward to...

I noticed several of these are just variations of expresso (or un express). As to prices, I've always been charged what was on the menu, so I think it's less of a problem than you think (tourists being riped off).

Would depend on the etxt, but it is certainly an error (England =UK). Maciamo, I never said they're not, I just told you what the ones I spoke to said. To quote your 'bible', the Lonely Planet also said it's an insult to most Scots to be called British. Have to take your word for it, but my...