How American have you become?
Mar 15th 2005, 6:46 pm
#61
.
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
Posts: 8,933
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by NC Penguin
Good point. I've noticed that Americans don't tend to use "please" and "thank you" when speaking to members of the public. e.g. grocery store cashiers, in eating establishments, etc.
I'm afraid I can't get out of the British habit of including these words in my daily conversation...
NC Penguin
I'm afraid I can't get out of the British habit of including these words in my daily conversation...
NC Penguin
We now have a game going at the supermarket - I've got it up to 17 times in one checkout.....my toddler counts and normally announces the total in a loud voice as we leave "You got 17 today Daddy yaaaay!!" Fortunately no one seems to know what he's talking about....
Mar 15th 2005, 6:49 pm
#62
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,181
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Pimpbot
I have people eating out of the palm of my hand sometimes.
Mar 15th 2005, 6:58 pm
#63
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Ash UK/US
Has your accent changed any since you moved here? I was reading on another board last week that someone who has lived here 3 years has already picked up an accent. Yesterday I helped a customer at work and recognised instantly that she was english... she has been here 30 year but sounded like she moved here yesterday. As for me I have been here over 2 years and apart from having to slow down when I speak I do not think my accent has really altered any, all though I do 'have a nice day' alot more than I ever used too.
Ash
Ash
But I do drive a big American car, but only to avoid steep medical bills if some car does whack me. But the old tank I drive seems to keep the upstart racers at bay, I guess they take one look at my beat up batmobile and think, "Uhhhh". According to British friends, "well, at least you haven't got an American accent". I live to work, but that was in me before I settled in the USofA. I don't take many holidays, but that was in me too. But I do use American terms, like "ramp", sidewalk, etc. I have to bite my tongue when I go home and use "slip road", pavement, etc.
Mar 15th 2005, 8:24 pm
#64
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by ladyofthelake
I should bloody not hope not!! :scared: You've only been here 5 months! 
I was being tongue in cheek. Hence the "...But I do drive everywhere. And I ate a McDonalds once" bit.
Infact I would say about....oooh....99% of my posts are tongue in cheek.
But seriously, I doubt my accent will change in 5 months, 5 years or 50 years.
Mar 15th 2005, 9:06 pm
#65
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,272
Re: How American have you become?
We still use our knives and forks the british way.
Whenever american children come for dinner I am appalled by the fact that they eat most things with their fingers and have no idea how to use a knife and fork. I am forever telling my 8 year old daughter to eat properly and she will then use her knife and fork.
I have to admit that I do say tomaydo and leddis when ordering a sandwich even though I cringe when I do it.
At an hotel in Syracuse.
Me - Croissant with butter please
Girl - Excuse me?
Me - Croissant with butter please
Girl - Crescent with what?
Me - Butter please
Girl - Eugh Mustard?
Me - No just butter thanks
Girl - Which mustard?
Me - B U T T E R
Girl - Oh badda, why didn't you just say badda?
Hubby at Olive Garden
Girl - What's the name?
Hubby - Peter
Girl - What?
Hubby - Peter
Girl - Uh? - then wrote Pizza in the book
Unhappy Hubby - I'm not called Pizza, I'm called Peter.
Girl - Uh?
Me - It's Pete
Girl - OK Pete
My kids talk American with friends and at school but English at home and don't realise they switch from one to another.
Whenever american children come for dinner I am appalled by the fact that they eat most things with their fingers and have no idea how to use a knife and fork. I am forever telling my 8 year old daughter to eat properly and she will then use her knife and fork.
I have to admit that I do say tomaydo and leddis when ordering a sandwich even though I cringe when I do it.
At an hotel in Syracuse.
Me - Croissant with butter please
Girl - Excuse me?
Me - Croissant with butter please
Girl - Crescent with what?
Me - Butter please
Girl - Eugh Mustard?
Me - No just butter thanks
Girl - Which mustard?
Me - B U T T E R
Girl - Oh badda, why didn't you just say badda?
Hubby at Olive Garden
Girl - What's the name?
Hubby - Peter
Girl - What?
Hubby - Peter
Girl - Uh? - then wrote Pizza in the book
Unhappy Hubby - I'm not called Pizza, I'm called Peter.
Girl - Uh?
Me - It's Pete
Girl - OK Pete
My kids talk American with friends and at school but English at home and don't realise they switch from one to another.
Mar 15th 2005, 9:21 pm
#66
my arm aches
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: the warm waters of Florida
Posts: 2,289
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by ImHere
Wow I didnt realise I was being followed from FD. Hi LOTL hows things over there these days then?
I was being tongue in cheek. Hence the "...But I do drive everywhere. And I ate a McDonalds once" bit.
Infact I would say about....oooh....99% of my posts are tongue in cheek.
But seriously, I doubt my accent will change in 5 months, 5 years or 50 years.
I was being tongue in cheek. Hence the "...But I do drive everywhere. And I ate a McDonalds once" bit.
Infact I would say about....oooh....99% of my posts are tongue in cheek.
But seriously, I doubt my accent will change in 5 months, 5 years or 50 years.
Just don't post as often now I have a life 
Mar 15th 2005, 11:06 pm
#67
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 80
Re: How American have you become?
Dunno 'bout y'all but, dude, I like totally haven't lost my limey accent . . .
Mar 15th 2005, 11:19 pm
#68
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by ladyofthelake
I think you'll find, I was here first Just don't post as often now I have a life
Just don't post as often now I have a life I know you were...but...you're picking on me.....Help! Im being stalked!
A Life......nope. Whats one of those?
So how are you LOTL?
Last edited by ImHere; Mar 15th 2005 at 11:30 pm.
Mar 16th 2005, 12:33 am
#69
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: How American have you become?
I've heard that if you start to take on the accent of where you live, it indicates you are happy there; conversely if you keep your old accent it indicates you'd be happier back home.
I don't know how true that is, but I certainly have taken on many nuances of an American accent - and I hate it! When I see myself on film (doesn't happen often , but I've had several lessons/presentations taped), my accent makes me cringe.
Funny thing is, Americans pick up immediately on my British accent (though they think it's Australian half the time), and Brits pick up immediately on my "American" accent.
But I will NEVER, EVER, say "aloominum", OR "tomaytoe"!, OR "leezhure", if I live here until I'm a hundred!
I don't know how true that is, but I certainly have taken on many nuances of an American accent - and I hate it! When I see myself on film (doesn't happen often , but I've had several lessons/presentations taped), my accent makes me cringe.
Funny thing is, Americans pick up immediately on my British accent (though they think it's Australian half the time), and Brits pick up immediately on my "American" accent.
But I will NEVER, EVER, say "aloominum", OR "tomaytoe"!, OR "leezhure", if I live here until I'm a hundred!
Mar 16th 2005, 12:38 am
#70
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by ImHere
I told some guy his website was a bit "noddy" looking today. After a longish pause he said: "Er but I havent got any naked pictures on there man". I realised he thought I meant nuddy as in nudist. Had to explain Noddy means childish in the UK.
When I use that one on my students (to mean "badly behaved"), they crack up.
(Naughty here tends to be interpreted as sexually deviant, not wicked.)
Mar 16th 2005, 12:40 am
#71
Ping-ponger
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Dreich Alba
Posts: 12,006
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Guelder Rose
.... And ... if the J is an H, then how is the H pronounced? 
Mar 16th 2005, 12:47 am
#72
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by dunroving
I've had several lessons/presentations taped
Mar 16th 2005, 1:02 am
#73
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 259
Re: How American have you become?
I am American, and I say 'budder' and 'toe-may-toe'. I have a feeling that will change when I move to Australia.
Also, several have mentioned that they have had to slow down their speech. Is that because it makes it easier for people to understand you, or do we just speak slower?
Also, what does "Gordon Bennett" mean?
Also, several have mentioned that they have had to slow down their speech. Is that because it makes it easier for people to understand you, or do we just speak slower?
Also, what does "Gordon Bennett" mean?
Mar 16th 2005, 1:10 am
#74
You Are All Diseased
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: Farnham, UK
Posts: 4,511
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Laurie1st
Also, what does "Gordon Bennett" mean?
.....or so Google tells me
Mar 16th 2005, 1:11 am
#75
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: How American have you become?
Originally Posted by Laurie1st
...
Also, what does "Gordon Bennett" mean?
Also, what does "Gordon Bennett" mean?
Strewth! Blimey! Crickey! Stone The Crows! **** me!
Take your pick.