Jeremy Henderson wrote:
    > To the usual tourist vocabulary I have added: "I'm sorry, I have no change".
    > It's not true, but the excuse is usually accepted.

Often it is true. In many countries (though not so much in Europe) the ATMs
seem to dispense notes that are so large that nobody can break them.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam

Miguel Cruz wrote:
    >
    > Barbara Vaughan wrote:
    > > Miguel Cruz wrote:
    > >> Barbara Vaughan wrote:
    > >>> Miguel Cruz wrote:
    > >>>> Marie Lewis wrote:
    > >>>>> Miguel Cruz writes
    > >>>>>> In the Netherlands the supermarket cashiers would rather wait 5 minutes
    > >>>>>> for some old biddy to count out exact change than to spend 5 seconds
    > >>>>>> making change themselves.
    > >>>>>
    > >>>>> Now, Miguel, is this not a racist, sexist remark? :-)
    > >>>>
    > >>>> Some of my best friends are old biddies! Honest!
    > >>>
    > >>> I hope you're not referring to me.
    > >>
    > >> That all depends on your change-counting behavior.
    > >
    > > I usually offer them something in the vicinity of the amount due, but if
    > > they ask me for exact change, then I pull out the old coin purse and
    > > hold each centesimo up to the light to see if it has "1" or "2" written
    > > on it.
    >
    > What percentage of the coin purse's volume is taken up with bits of string,
    > loose mints, and photos of grandchildren?

I guess this is the old biddy test. First the grandchildren, if my kids
ever get around to it, and then I'll think about the string and mints.

Barbara

Tim Hurson wrote:
    >
    > "Barbara Vaughan" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...

    > > Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
    > >
    > > Barbara
    >
    > The majority of these, in the U.S., are found in the supermarkets. Just like
    > bar code scanners it speeds up the process.

It also allows them to hire cashiers who can't count.

Barbara

In article ,
[email protected] says...
    >
    >
    > Tim Hurson wrote:
    > >
    > > "Barbara Vaughan" wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    >
    > > > Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
    > > >
    > > > Barbara
    > >
    > > The majority of these, in the U.S., are found in the supermarkets. Just like
    > > bar code scanners it speeds up the process.
    >
    > It also allows them to hire cashiers who can't count.

There are too damn many of those already. Basic arithmetic isn't rocket
science, but you'd never know it sometimes.

===
Steve
Shoreline, Washington USA
[email protected]
30 May 2003, 1709 PDT

On Thu, 29 May 2003 17:04:20 GMT, [email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:

    >Derek McBryde wrote:
    >> It was very common many years ago in UK to collect sixpences (2.5p in
    >> today's money) in jars. The Dimple Haig bottles were particularly
    >> suitable to this as the coins just fitted into the neck. People
    >> saw it as a form of saving and there was increased excitement as the
    >> bottle gradually filled and accumulated in value.
    >Exactly what sort of excitement are we talking about here? Spontaneous
    >outbursts of song? An uncontrollable urge to dance? Celebratory AK-47 fire?

You know how excited you get when watching paint dry - well it's
nearly as good as that.

Derek

"Barbara Vaughan" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > > What percentage of the coin purse's volume is taken up with bits of
string,
    > > loose mints, and photos of grandchildren?
    > I guess this is the old biddy test. First the grandchildren, if my kids
    > ever get around to it, and then I'll think about the string and mints.
    > Barbara

Hmmm, I would be afraid to ask what age this person thinks is biddidome. A
bit old fashioned, perhaps. Today's mature (ahem) woman is more apt to have
Vamp nail polish and a condom in her purse.
Mints have been replaced with those tiny breath papers you put on the
tongue -- no calories and quite a kick in the US version.
Italian clerks always sought the exact number of lire when coins had become
in short supply. Now, they transfer it to the Euro. I think whoever turns
the cash drawer in with the most coins wins something. I am not having a
problem with the 1 centesimo, because they seem to have disappeared for the
most part. Somewhere lie gazillions of copper coins the size of a mote in
the eye. My coin purse will reveal a few 2 centesimo pieces, maybe one 5
c., maybe one 10 c., but mostly 1&2 Euro pieces, 50 c. and 20 c. What
happened to all the rest? They probably fill coin jars all over the
country, kept near the door and used to lighten the purse or pocket.

Judith Umbria wrote:

    > Italian clerks always sought the exact number of lire when coins had become
    > in short supply. Now, they transfer it to the Euro. I think whoever turns
    > the cash drawer in with the most coins wins something.

Just yesterday a cashier asked me for the exact change; I looked in her
till and saw that she had so many coins they were spilling into the bill
compartment. I heard that the banks charge to count coins, so I'm
mystified as to why they keep asking for more.

    > ... I am not having a
    > problem with the 1 centesimo, because they seem to have disappeared for the
    > most part. Somewhere lie gazillions of copper coins the size of a mote in
    > the eye.

Here in rural Le Marche, they still use every coin, but marchegianos
have a reputation like that of the Scots in the UK.

My coin purse will reveal a few 2 centesimo pieces, maybe one 5
    > c., maybe one 10 c., but mostly 1&2 Euro pieces, 50 c. and 20 c. What
    > happened to all the rest? They probably fill coin jars all over the
    > country, kept near the door and used to lighten the purse or pocket.

Now you know: they've migrated east to where people appreciate them.

Barbara

Barbara Vaughan wrote:
    > Tim Hurson wrote:
    >> "Barbara Vaughan" wrote:
    >>> Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
    >>
    >> The majority of these, in the U.S., are found in the supermarkets. Just like
    >> bar code scanners it speeds up the process.
    > It also allows them to hire cashiers who can't count.

So does forcing the customers to do the counting.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam

Miguel Cruz wrote:
    >
    > Barbara Vaughan wrote:
    > > Tim Hurson wrote:
    > >> "Barbara Vaughan" wrote:
    > >>> Those change-dispensing tills aren't very common in small shops, though.
    > >>
    > >> The majority of these, in the U.S., are found in the supermarkets. Just like
    > >> bar code scanners it speeds up the process.
    > >
    > > It also allows them to hire cashiers who can't count.
    >
    > So does forcing the customers to do the counting.

That's occurred to me.

Barbara

    >Subject: Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
    >From: The Reid [email protected]
    >Date: 5/30/03 01:41 Pacific Daylight Time
    >Message-id:
    >Following up to gatsby
    >>> the people you are thinking of are not to be emulated and are
    >>> ridiculed in thier own countries too.
    >>Considering the huge numbers of European tour companies that sell
    >>these holidays (thousands) the majority of European people "are not
    >>to be emulated and are ridiculed in thier (sic) own countries too".
    >I dont need you to correct or comment on typos thanks.
    >Using a package to get a good price and behaving badly are *not* the
    >same thing.
    >--
    >Mike Reid
    >"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
    >Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
    >Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)

I was not correcting or commenting on your typo. It is proper when quoting to
not correct a mistake but to use (sic) and quote the exact original.

Cheers

Gary Nichols





--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
All countries are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
All people are good. Some are better than others. That's all.

Gary Nichols

    >Subject: Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
    >From: [email protected] (gatsby)
    >Date: 5/31/03 19:17 Pacific Daylight Time
    >Message-id:
    >>Subject: Re: Worried about appearing to be a tourist? The ugly America?
    >>From: The Reid [email protected]
    >>Date: 5/30/03 01:41 Pacific Daylight Time
    >>Message-id:
    >>Following up to gatsby
    >>>> the people you are thinking of are not to be emulated and are
    >>>> ridiculed in thier own countries too.
    >>>Considering the huge numbers of European tour companies that sell
    >>>these holidays (thousands) the majority of European people "are not
    >>>to be emulated and are ridiculed in thier (sic) own countries too".
    >>I dont need you to correct or comment on typos thanks.
    >>Using a package to get a good price and behaving badly are *not* the
    >>same thing.
    >>--
    >>Mike Reid
    >>"Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso
    >>Fellwalking, photos, London & the Thames path "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk"
    >>Spain, food and walking "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" (see web for email)
    >I was not correcting or commenting on your typo. It is proper when quoting
    >to
    >not correct a mistake but to use (sic) and quote the exact original.
    >Cheers
    >Gary Nichols
    >--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >-----------------------------
    >All countries are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
    >All people are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
    >Gary Nichols

BTW you fell into my trap. I, of course, know that only a few Europeans go on
holiday and drink to much, dress funny and are rude to their hosts.

But why do Europeans in general think that a few hundred "Americans" they will
see over a lifetime represent the millions of "Americans" that live in the US?
Don't you think that most of us have the sense to be embarrasssed by some loud,
loudly dressed and demanding "Americans" that visit other countries? They are
the minority They act the same way in the US. I believe that hating
"Americans" is so ingrained in so many people in other countries that you judge
us all by a few.

That seems to be the case from what I read on different newsgroups and from
talking to people from other countries.

Cheers

Gary Nichols



--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
All countries are good. Some are better than others. That's all.
All people are good. Some are better than others. That's all.

Gary Nichols

Barbara Vaughan wrote:

    > In the US, most cashiers have the change ready before you can open your
    > purse and get annoyed if you start counting coins.

That was never my experience when living in the US. Most common was the
cashier who had no idea of how to make change, and had to wait until you
gave her/him the amount that s/he could punch into the register. I tend
to spend my coins, and frequently would give the cashier (for example)
USD 5.07 for a charge of 4.82. About 25% of the time I would get a
baffled look in response, followed by astonishment after they punched
the numbers into the register and discovered the point of the exercise.
Occasionally I had to tell the cashier, "just punch it in and then it
will make sense -- really".


--
greg byshenk - [email protected] - Leiden, NL
hate spam?

greg byshenk wrote:
    > That was never my experience when living in the US. Most common was the
    > cashier who had no idea of how to make change, and had to wait until you
    > gave her/him the amount that s/he could punch into the register. I tend
    > to spend my coins, and frequently would give the cashier (for example) USD
    > 5.07 for a charge of 4.82. About 25% of the time I would get a baffled
    > look in response, followed by astonishment after they punched the numbers
    > into the register and discovered the point of the exercise. Occasionally I
    > had to tell the cashier, "just punch it in and then it will make sense --
    > really".

The other day I made a purchase of $1.10. I didn't have any singles so I
offered $10.10 (a $10 and a dime). The cashier accidentally punched in that
I'd offered $20.10 and started freaking out and looking for the manager. I
said "just give me $9 back; trust me, it'll be fine" but she wasn't having
any of it. Finally I dug out another $10 and gave her that too, and then she
counted out $19 in $1 bills for my change. She had to count them out three
times to get the amount right.

So yes, people do get dependent on the machines, to the point where they
have no idea what's even going on. Pretty depressing.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
Latest photos: Maldives, Dubai and Vietnam

gatsby wrote:

    >
    > I was not correcting or commenting on your typo. It is proper when quoting to
    > not correct a mistake but to use (sic) and quote the exact original.
    >
    > Cheers
    >
    > Gary Nichols

It's also proper to let everybody know you are a racist.

Gary Nichols (Racist scum)

In article , Tony B
writes
    >>was not correcting or commenting on your typo. It is proper when quoting to
    >> not correct a mistake but to use (sic) and quote the exact original.


Can anyone explain to me why split infinitives are acceptable
grammatically in the USA but not in the UK?
--
Marie Lewis