WATER
May 6th 2016, 2:24 am
#46
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: WATER
I had the same issue in a NYC diner, when asking for butter for pancakes (it took 3 people, including the supervisor/manager to ask what it was that I wanted). When I explained, the response: "OH! You mean buDDA" que much joy at having worked it out. As others have said, it's the cost of having to do business - like changing the pronunciation of your last name so that it's correctly spelled.
This is one of my favourites, reminds me of my time in NI. (Sultan may enjoy it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oIZtZzhP0k
This is one of my favourites, reminds me of my time in NI. (Sultan may enjoy it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oIZtZzhP0k
May 6th 2016, 4:27 am
#47
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 2,554
Re: WATER
May 8th 2016, 5:19 am
#48
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,395
Re: WATER
How ****ing stupid do you have to be not to understand when someone with a different accent says the word water. The single celled amoeba taking orders at the drive thru McDonals was completely stumped when I tried to get a water with my daughters happy meal. I ended up basically screaming at the speaker and demanding someone takes over that actually understands English!!!! And he still effed up my order!!! I ended up telling him to cancel the order in not the most politest way. What is the matter with these people though? Water!!! W A T E R!!!!!!!!! I'm raging!!!
May 8th 2016, 7:34 am
#49
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,931
Re: WATER
A pity someone cant come on this site and let off a bit of steam, without people jumping down his throat!
May 8th 2016, 11:17 am
#50
NM, not new, not Mexico!
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Socorro, NM
Posts: 3,573
Re: WATER
I had a similar problem trying to order ranch dressing, the server thought I wanted large dressing.......
May 8th 2016, 3:09 pm
#51
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 2,554
Re: WATER
To be fair, I was way more pissed off than I probably should have been. I think because of the grief of promising my 7 year old a happy meal and going home empty handed LOL.
May 8th 2016, 11:10 pm
#52
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,395
Re: WATER
I frequently can't fully understand what they are saying to me. I just drive to the takeout window and work out any misunderstandings.
May 9th 2016, 5:18 am
#54
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: WATER
Yeah, but it doesn't explain the same issue when you're face to face, ordering a glass of water after someone else in your party has just ordered a glass.
May 9th 2016, 5:26 am
#56
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: CT
Posts: 33,645
Re: WATER
Could be worse.. At least everyone understands Cheesecake.
May 13th 2016, 5:59 am
#57
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2014
Location: 4yrs in MA now back in UK
Posts: 10
Re: WATER
"please could we have some water"
'Are you Australian?'
"Err, no I'm English"
'Some what????'
"War-ter"
"uh?"
"(deep breath) wadder"
'ok sure'
'Are you Australian?'
"Err, no I'm English"
'Some what????'
"War-ter"
"uh?"
"(deep breath) wadder"
'ok sure'
May 13th 2016, 6:14 am
#58
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: WATER
I definitely agree that some Americans are so "inflexible" in their hearing that they can't comprehend people with even the slightest accent. It's almost as if they deliberately refuse to stretch their comprehension abilities even slightly. For example, I work with a lot of people from India. The inability of some of my American coworkers to understand even the slightest Indian accent is maddening to me. For God's sake, people, broaden your experience a little.
May 13th 2016, 6:29 am
#59
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,427
Re: WATER
There used to be a delay in comprehending what I was saying. People used to say "what did you say?", and their brain understood what I had just said a second later.
May 13th 2016, 7:09 am
#60
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2014
Location: 4yrs in MA now back in UK
Posts: 10
Re: WATER
Agree.
I have no problem using American words instead of the normal English word; trunk, pants, sidewalk etc., but I take exception to speaking with an American accent to be understood. First 2 yrs here I was angry with how they use the English language, now I'm far more relaxed about it
(and that's how they get you!) Not to worry anymore, we are returning to England this summer, but I will miss this place dearly (all bar the snow!)
I have no problem using American words instead of the normal English word; trunk, pants, sidewalk etc., but I take exception to speaking with an American accent to be understood. First 2 yrs here I was angry with how they use the English language, now I'm far more relaxed about it
(and that's how they get you!) Not to worry anymore, we are returning to England this summer, but I will miss this place dearly (all bar the snow!)I definitely agree that some Americans are so "inflexible" in their hearing that they can't comprehend people with even the slightest accent. It's almost as if they deliberately refuse to stretch their comprehension abilities even slightly. For example, I work with a lot of people from India. The inability of some of my American coworkers to understand even the slightest Indian accent is maddening to me. For God's sake, people, broaden your experience a little.
