k3n

Well as most of you know, I'm English but live in France with a Dutchman - oh when cultures collide! What fun! DH and I have had many amusing and annoying moments. For eg, the Dutch are quite direct and at first I used to get mad if he'd ask 'why are you chopping carrots like that?' I felt it as a criticism - but that's just the way they ask things. Not a good example maybe but I don't know how else to explain it! And of course between England and America there are some classic howlers like for example a 'fag' to me is a cigarette but to you, I think it's something else! And the front of a car is bonnet and the back, boot - I think you say hood and trunk. And the grocery carts - we call trolleys! I once said to QNC 'cheers big ears' which is just English slang for thanks and she said 'what's with my ears?' LOL And Blue calls everyone 'dude' male and female - I love that! In Ireland, a group of people can be 'lads' ( even girls! I call everyone 'mate' even the dog and cat (!) which is very 'Hampshire' where I was brought up. Vive la difference, I say!

BlueChicken

We call them trolleys here! :-)

k3n

Thought of something else - this thread is so interesting! If someone comes to the house - friend or family - and helps clear dishes or puts the kettle on or whatever, I LOVE it - so helpful etc... But Hans hates it and sees it as interference/ criticism that WE should be doing that! THAT'S typical Dutch versus English. The key is communication - that's the only way. Now if he says or does something that I don't get I ask him to explain his motivation and vice versa. You wouldn't think there could be so much difference between two such close countries! Of course, some things are differences between us two as individuals, but there is a national characteristic.

Here in France, I've heard French people say English people are rude, because they don't shake hands or kiss everytime they meet but that's just not NORMAL for us! We just go 'hiya' and that's enough. But the French are much more formal. If I pass the neighour's house and they're in the garden, it's not enough to say 'good morning' and walk on - I have to go in and give them a kiss on each cheek and the kids too. The kids got used very early on to everyone kissing them all the time - even strange old ladies in the supermarket! In the UK, I'd have probably told them to back off but here it's just normal! :D

k3n

Blue, the way you 'talk' always seems more similar to me than the American ppl on here - you use a lot of the same slang expressions as I'm used to. If you weren't upside down, you could almost BE English! :D But I bet you've got a cute accent! D Do you say 'sheila' and 'cobber' and all that like the Aussies or have you got your own words?

BlueChicken

Far out... I'm not a huggy kissy kinda person... I'd never leave my house if I lived in France! LOL

Over here it's very common for men to call each other "mate", or "bro".

I can't think of anything else offhand.

k3n

Yes, English guys say 'bro' too! And the huggy kissy thing can get a bit much! If I go to the kids school it can take HOURS! And sometimes it's not very pleasant with all the garlic they eat! AND some of the old crusty country guys try to get a BIT closer to your lips than is completely necessary - yuch!!! :?

BlueChicken

*gag*

;-)

Here's a couple of word definitions....
Fanny: In America it's backside? Over here... only girls have a fanny, and it's not nice! ;-)
Randy: a common male name in America? Over here, when you're feeling "amorous" you're considered "randy". ;-)

Am I the only one disturbed by the fact that the only things springing to my mind all involve an R18 rating?!?

k3n

Your definitions are the same as mine! And isn't 'Willy' a normal name in the US? But to me, it's something else! Let's just say when that film came out 'Free Willy' there were girls queueing round the block!!! LOL

k3n

PS - Blue by name, Blue by nature! LOL

k3n

PPS - my mind is apparently in the same groove!