Hassles in USA
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:06 am
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
> And the number one rule for Brits visiting the USA (or America, or whatever it is
> that we call ourselves) is:
>
> 1. Don't turn left on red.
>
> Barbara
you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and drive
onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in North America
(guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat at a red light with a
right hand turn signal on.
> that we call ourselves) is:
>
> 1. Don't turn left on red.
>
> Barbara
you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and drive
onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in North America
(guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat at a red light with a
right hand turn signal on.
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:06 am
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
Deep Fried Mars <[email protected]> wrote:
>> BobS, travel NG last week). Sorry but true. Next time, please reveal your "tongue
>> in cheek" biases before time is wasted on providing advice/help.
>It's called "taking the piss". And you don't annouce that you are about to do it!
Abso-fraggin-lutely
--
snail @ careless net ~ snail | Character is what you are in the dark! - Whorfin
>> BobS, travel NG last week). Sorry but true. Next time, please reveal your "tongue
>> in cheek" biases before time is wasted on providing advice/help.
>It's called "taking the piss". And you don't annouce that you are about to do it!
Abso-fraggin-lutely
--
snail @ careless net ~ snail | Character is what you are in the dark! - Whorfin
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:06 am
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
In article <Y%[email protected] >, "Proactive Search"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> > I'm doing my MA at Cardiff University and am from the States. What I
> *love*
> > (sarcasm intended) is all the people who come up to me and say "I know all about
> > the States." I get excited, kind of, and ask when they visited.
> "Oh,
> > I've never been there; I've seen it on TV (or the movies)."
> >
> > If I made comments like that about Africa, Asia or Europe, I'd be called a
> dumb
> > American.
> >
>
> The last time I was in France I had 3 different people (who were French) ask me how
> Americans could live eating Hamburgers (McDonald's) every week. After chatting with
> them further neither of them had ever set foot in the US, but had their mind made
> up about what we are like, our living habits, what we eat everyday, etc... I found
> it a bit amusing.
I lived in Germany several decades ago -- and was continuously subjected to this
sort of amusing nonsense, particularly about diet and cuisine. My experience of
America was an abundance of fresh foods, superb meat etc etc -- Germans insisted
that Americans ate only canned food and that their cuisine was far superior. I
found while choking down the dreck served at the German family table that this was
a bit hard to take. I have lived and traveled in most regions of the world since
then and enjoyed a variety of cuisines and yet have never found a cuisine and
standard of food preparation as horrible as what I encountered in northern German
households in the 60s.
The other howler was their whine about racial prejudice in the US. This is surely our
great national shame -- but these were people who only 15 years before had stood by
while their neighbors [including in the case of one family I lived with, their family
doctor who had saved their child's life] off to concentration camps. But THEY would
never be concerned if a black family moved to their street. Americans should
rightfully have been embarrassed and ashamed about race relations in the US -- but
Germans certainly had nothing to crow about at that time.
<[email protected]> wrote:
> > I'm doing my MA at Cardiff University and am from the States. What I
> *love*
> > (sarcasm intended) is all the people who come up to me and say "I know all about
> > the States." I get excited, kind of, and ask when they visited.
> "Oh,
> > I've never been there; I've seen it on TV (or the movies)."
> >
> > If I made comments like that about Africa, Asia or Europe, I'd be called a
> dumb
> > American.
> >
>
> The last time I was in France I had 3 different people (who were French) ask me how
> Americans could live eating Hamburgers (McDonald's) every week. After chatting with
> them further neither of them had ever set foot in the US, but had their mind made
> up about what we are like, our living habits, what we eat everyday, etc... I found
> it a bit amusing.
I lived in Germany several decades ago -- and was continuously subjected to this
sort of amusing nonsense, particularly about diet and cuisine. My experience of
America was an abundance of fresh foods, superb meat etc etc -- Germans insisted
that Americans ate only canned food and that their cuisine was far superior. I
found while choking down the dreck served at the German family table that this was
a bit hard to take. I have lived and traveled in most regions of the world since
then and enjoyed a variety of cuisines and yet have never found a cuisine and
standard of food preparation as horrible as what I encountered in northern German
households in the 60s.
The other howler was their whine about racial prejudice in the US. This is surely our
great national shame -- but these were people who only 15 years before had stood by
while their neighbors [including in the case of one family I lived with, their family
doctor who had saved their child's life] off to concentration camps. But THEY would
never be concerned if a black family moved to their street. Americans should
rightfully have been embarrassed and ashamed about race relations in the US -- but
Germans certainly had nothing to crow about at that time.
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:38 am
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
The Oik wrote:
>
> > And the number one rule for Brits visiting the USA (or America, or whatever it is
> > that we call ourselves) is:
> >
> > 1. Don't turn left on red.
> >
> > Barbara
>
> you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and drive
> onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in North America
> (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat at a red light with
> a right hand turn signal on.
You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it was
too good to leave out.
Barbara
>
> > And the number one rule for Brits visiting the USA (or America, or whatever it is
> > that we call ourselves) is:
> >
> > 1. Don't turn left on red.
> >
> > Barbara
>
> you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and drive
> onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in North America
> (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat at a red light with
> a right hand turn signal on.
You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it was
too good to leave out.
Barbara
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:38 am
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
On Wed, 20 Mar 2002 15:06:17 -0000, "The Oik" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> And the number one rule for Brits visiting the USA (or America, or whatever it is
>> that we call ourselves) is:
>>
>> 1. Don't turn left on red.
>>
>> Barbara
>
>you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and drive
>onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in North America
>(guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat at a red light with
>a right hand turn signal on.
The "turn right on red" is not universal in the U.S. Not allowed within New
York City.
>
>> And the number one rule for Brits visiting the USA (or America, or whatever it is
>> that we call ourselves) is:
>>
>> 1. Don't turn left on red.
>>
>> Barbara
>
>you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and drive
>onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in North America
>(guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat at a red light with
>a right hand turn signal on.
The "turn right on red" is not universal in the U.S. Not allowed within New
York City.
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:38 am
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
Barbara Vaughan <[email protected]> wrote:
>Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it was
>too good to leave out.
Ah, so that's where it comes from. It's used at quite a few intersections in Sydney
though of course it's reversed ie left-on-red and every so often there's talk of
making it more universal though I suspect Bernd(sp?) may know more about that than I.
--
snail @ careless net ~ snail | Character is what you are in the dark! - Whorfin
>Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it was
>too good to leave out.
Ah, so that's where it comes from. It's used at quite a few intersections in Sydney
though of course it's reversed ie left-on-red and every so often there's talk of
making it more universal though I suspect Bernd(sp?) may know more about that than I.
--
snail @ careless net ~ snail | Character is what you are in the dark! - Whorfin
Mar 20th 2002 | 2:38 am
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
> > you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and
drive
> > onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in
North
> > America (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat
at a
> > red light with a right hand turn signal on.
>
> You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
>
> Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it was
> too good to leave out.
>
> Barbara
and you know about the 'flashing amber' in some parts of Europe? It means 'taxi
drivers have total right of way, all others proceed with extreme caution'? BTW good
point about turn signals - I'll remember that one!
drive
> > onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in
North
> > America (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat
at a
> > red light with a right hand turn signal on.
>
> You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
>
> Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it was
> too good to leave out.
>
> Barbara
and you know about the 'flashing amber' in some parts of Europe? It means 'taxi
drivers have total right of way, all others proceed with extreme caution'? BTW good
point about turn signals - I'll remember that one!
Mar 20th 2002 | 3:06 am
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
"Deep Fried Mars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It's called "taking the piss". And you don't annouce that you are about to do it!
>
Funny stuff DFM.... I just find it ultra-amusing when the piss flows right back on
your own shoes and you don't even know it. On this NG, I've noticed that you're too
blind to notice the irony of your own double-standard hypocritical "pissing"! Not
*that's* humor/humour!
So, before you open your mouth next time, at least look in the mirror....or at least
watch where you piss!
news:[email protected]...
> It's called "taking the piss". And you don't annouce that you are about to do it!
>
Funny stuff DFM.... I just find it ultra-amusing when the piss flows right back on
your own shoes and you don't even know it. On this NG, I've noticed that you're too
blind to notice the irony of your own double-standard hypocritical "pissing"! Not
*that's* humor/humour!
So, before you open your mouth next time, at least look in the mirror....or at least
watch where you piss!
Mar 20th 2002 | 3:06 am
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
In article <[email protected]>, "The Oik"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> > > you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and
> drive
> > > onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in
> North
> > > America (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat
> at a
> > > red light with a right hand turn signal on.
> >
> > You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
> >
> > Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it
> > was too good to leave out.
> >
> > Barbara
>
> and you know about the 'flashing amber' in some parts of Europe? It means 'taxi
> drivers have total right of way, all others proceed with extreme caution'? BTW good
> point about turn signals - I'll remember that one!
turn signals are never used in the south in th US [except by some elderly drivers
who leave them on all the time] the element of surprise is much prized by
southern drivers
<[email protected]> wrote:
> > > you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and
> drive
> > > onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in
> North
> > > America (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat
> at a
> > > red light with a right hand turn signal on.
> >
> > You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
> >
> > Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it
> > was too good to leave out.
> >
> > Barbara
>
> and you know about the 'flashing amber' in some parts of Europe? It means 'taxi
> drivers have total right of way, all others proceed with extreme caution'? BTW good
> point about turn signals - I'll remember that one!
turn signals are never used in the south in th US [except by some elderly drivers
who leave them on all the time] the element of surprise is much prized by
southern drivers
Mar 20th 2002 | 3:36 am
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
The Oik wrote:
>
> > > you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and
> drive
> > > onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in
> North
> > > America (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat
> at a
> > > red light with a right hand turn signal on.
> >
> > You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
> >
> > Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it
> > was too good to leave out.
> >
> > Barbara
>
> and you know about the 'flashing amber' in some parts of Europe? It means 'taxi
> drivers have total right of way, all others proceed with extreme caution'?
In China it means that precedence is given in order of importance, and order of
importance is established by horn blasting.
Barbara
>
> > > you do know that in the UK, red means 'stop', not 'just filter out and
> drive
> > > onwards'?? Its a serious point - it came as something of a shock in
> North
> > > America (guess where I mean) when people started getting upset as I sat
> at a
> > > red light with a right hand turn signal on.
> >
> > You can avoid that by not using turn signals!
> >
> > Seriously, I know that this right-on-red thing is an American invention. But it
> > was too good to leave out.
> >
> > Barbara
>
> and you know about the 'flashing amber' in some parts of Europe? It means 'taxi
> drivers have total right of way, all others proceed with extreme caution'?
In China it means that precedence is given in order of importance, and order of
importance is established by horn blasting.
Barbara
Mar 20th 2002 | 3:36 am
#41
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
"Amy L. Ashbridge" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm doing my MA at Cardiff University and am from the States. What I
*love*
> (sarcasm intended) is all the people who come up to me and say "I know all about
> the States." I get excited, kind of, and ask when they visited.
"Oh,
> I've never been there; I've seen it on TV (or the movies)."
>
> If I made comments like that about Africa, Asia or Europe, I'd be called a
dumb
> American.
Here here. That's exactly what I'm referring to.... Damn, I love Europe and its
people. I've lived there and traveled there several times. However, it's the
hypocritical "holier-than-thou" Euro-centric dolts who amuse the hell out of me. I've
heard endless numbers of Europeans ramble on about "Ugly Americans", "Stupid
Americans", and "Ignorant Americans". The basis for their reasoning is often
warranted. However, during my travels, I've heard some of these same individuals say:
"Alaska is a sovereign nation" "The Grand Canyon is just a hole in the ground" "You
mean, you don't own a gun?" "Was your high school like the one on 90210?" ...and the
most common comment: "You don't sound like an American....are you Canadian?"
(surprised that I don't speak with a "twang")
The list could go on for several pages. I find true irony in this...and
frustration...For if I coined the phrase "Ugly European", I would be cast off as
yet another arrogant American. It reeks of double-standards....it's so pathetic,
it's funny.
news:[email protected]...
> I'm doing my MA at Cardiff University and am from the States. What I
*love*
> (sarcasm intended) is all the people who come up to me and say "I know all about
> the States." I get excited, kind of, and ask when they visited.
"Oh,
> I've never been there; I've seen it on TV (or the movies)."
>
> If I made comments like that about Africa, Asia or Europe, I'd be called a
dumb
> American.
Here here. That's exactly what I'm referring to.... Damn, I love Europe and its
people. I've lived there and traveled there several times. However, it's the
hypocritical "holier-than-thou" Euro-centric dolts who amuse the hell out of me. I've
heard endless numbers of Europeans ramble on about "Ugly Americans", "Stupid
Americans", and "Ignorant Americans". The basis for their reasoning is often
warranted. However, during my travels, I've heard some of these same individuals say:
"Alaska is a sovereign nation" "The Grand Canyon is just a hole in the ground" "You
mean, you don't own a gun?" "Was your high school like the one on 90210?" ...and the
most common comment: "You don't sound like an American....are you Canadian?"
(surprised that I don't speak with a "twang")
The list could go on for several pages. I find true irony in this...and
frustration...For if I coined the phrase "Ugly European", I would be cast off as
yet another arrogant American. It reeks of double-standards....it's so pathetic,
it's funny.
Mar 20th 2002 | 4:05 am
#42
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
"BobS" <robert@suggitt1438.*REMOVE*fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> We are travelling to Denver CO, USA from England at the end of May and in the light
> of earlier posts about hassles in Europe we are wondering what to expect in the
> States. Any help would be appreciated. BobS
Wrong newsgroup. Post to rec.travel.usa-canada.
news:<[email protected]>...
> We are travelling to Denver CO, USA from England at the end of May and in the light
> of earlier posts about hassles in Europe we are wondering what to expect in the
> States. Any help would be appreciated. BobS
Wrong newsgroup. Post to rec.travel.usa-canada.
Mar 20th 2002 | 4:05 am
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
"R J Carpenter" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Deep Fried Mars wrote:
> >
> > "Miguel Cruz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > BobS <robert@suggitt1438.*REMOVE*fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> > > > Thanks for all your valued comments, especially the water. My
reference
> > > > to hassles in the USA was a little tongue in cheek but reading these
NGs
> > > > Americans always seem to have a funny idea about Europe.
> > >
> > > Yes, well, it can be a little stressful to travel from a peaceful,
wealthy
> > > technologically-advanced haven such as America, to a continent plagued
by
> > > constant wars, unpotable tap water, different currencies and languages
every
> > > 25 miles, lethal electrical voltage delivered through plugs the size
of
> > > elephants, no tradition of personal hygiene, and an extremely limited selection
> > > of TV channels. Cut the poor folks some slack.
> >
> > Wars? Different currencies? Tap water? TV channels?
> >
> > If this is all too much for you, why not just stay at home and watch
cable?
> > You may even find a documentary on Europe that will tell you all you
need to
> > know!
>
> > DFM
>
> *** Score one for Miguel. *** He caught at least one person with his put-on.
>
Dammit! Got me!
)
--
DFM
> Or is "Deep Fried Mars" really an agent of the Mars family enterprise, makers of
> Mars candy bars? The Mars corporate headquarters is less than 20 km from Miguel's
> residence. Is Miguel a Mars agent as well? It's getting pretty suspicious.
Naah... there is no connection between me, Miguel or the chocolate bar... to my
knowledge! Of course I have no way of knowing if Miguel is a Mars agent. If so,
there's some damn subtle subversive advertising!
> Deep Fried Mars wrote:
> >
> > "Miguel Cruz" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > BobS <robert@suggitt1438.*REMOVE*fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> > > > Thanks for all your valued comments, especially the water. My
reference
> > > > to hassles in the USA was a little tongue in cheek but reading these
NGs
> > > > Americans always seem to have a funny idea about Europe.
> > >
> > > Yes, well, it can be a little stressful to travel from a peaceful,
wealthy
> > > technologically-advanced haven such as America, to a continent plagued
by
> > > constant wars, unpotable tap water, different currencies and languages
every
> > > 25 miles, lethal electrical voltage delivered through plugs the size
of
> > > elephants, no tradition of personal hygiene, and an extremely limited selection
> > > of TV channels. Cut the poor folks some slack.
> >
> > Wars? Different currencies? Tap water? TV channels?
> >
> > If this is all too much for you, why not just stay at home and watch
cable?
> > You may even find a documentary on Europe that will tell you all you
need to
> > know!
>
> > DFM
>
> *** Score one for Miguel. *** He caught at least one person with his put-on.
>
Dammit! Got me!
)--
DFM
> Or is "Deep Fried Mars" really an agent of the Mars family enterprise, makers of
> Mars candy bars? The Mars corporate headquarters is less than 20 km from Miguel's
> residence. Is Miguel a Mars agent as well? It's getting pretty suspicious.
Naah... there is no connection between me, Miguel or the chocolate bar... to my
knowledge! Of course I have no way of knowing if Miguel is a Mars agent. If so,
there's some damn subtle subversive advertising!
Mar 20th 2002 | 4:35 am
#44
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
"BlueHorses" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Deep Fried Mars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > It's called "taking the piss". And you don't annouce that you are about
to
> > do it!
> >
>
> Funny stuff DFM.... I just find it ultra-amusing when the piss flows right back on
> your own shoes and you don't even know it. On this NG, I've noticed that you're
too
> blind to notice the irony of your own double-standard hypocritical "pissing"! Not
> *that's* humor/humour!
>
> So, before you open your mouth next time, at least look in the
mirror....or
> at least watch where you piss!
>
I promise I won't mess with you anymore, Blue. You out-swore me three fold!)
--
DFM
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Deep Fried Mars" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > It's called "taking the piss". And you don't annouce that you are about
to
> > do it!
> >
>
> Funny stuff DFM.... I just find it ultra-amusing when the piss flows right back on
> your own shoes and you don't even know it. On this NG, I've noticed that you're
too
> blind to notice the irony of your own double-standard hypocritical "pissing"! Not
> *that's* humor/humour!
>
> So, before you open your mouth next time, at least look in the
mirror....or
> at least watch where you piss!
>
I promise I won't mess with you anymore, Blue. You out-swore me three fold!
)--
DFM
Mar 20th 2002 | 4:35 am
#45
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Hassles in USA
> > Or is "Deep Fried Mars" really an agent of the Mars family enterprise, makers of
> > Mars candy bars? The Mars corporate headquarters is less than 20 km from Miguel's
> > residence. Is Miguel a Mars agent as well? It's getting pretty suspicious.
>
> Naah... there is no connection between me, Miguel or the chocolate bar...
to
> my knowledge! Of course I have no way of knowing if Miguel is a Mars
agent.
> If so, there's some damn subtle subversive advertising!
>
as its where this thread has drifted, can anyone tell me if Mars are rebranding the
Mars bar in the US in the same way as the UK, or already done it or what??
> > Mars candy bars? The Mars corporate headquarters is less than 20 km from Miguel's
> > residence. Is Miguel a Mars agent as well? It's getting pretty suspicious.
>
> Naah... there is no connection between me, Miguel or the chocolate bar...
to
> my knowledge! Of course I have no way of knowing if Miguel is a Mars
agent.
> If so, there's some damn subtle subversive advertising!
>
as its where this thread has drifted, can anyone tell me if Mars are rebranding the
Mars bar in the US in the same way as the UK, or already done it or what??
