Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
May 4th 2005, 12:52 pm
#481
Not living a 9 to 5 life
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 11,061
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by ImHere
Even worse is old aged women in low rise jeans. We have a lovely turnout of them this spring down here.
NC Penguin
May 4th 2005, 12:59 pm
#482
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by nxylas
Downtown crosswalks. Not sure if it's the same in other cities, but here in Columbia, the crosswalks are all on corners and, unlike the British pelican crossings, which only show you the green man when the crossing is closed to all traffic, here, you have to contend with cars taking advantage of the "right on red" law and cars coming from the other direction turning left on green. This means that the "WALK" signal roughly translates as "marginally less chance of being hit by a car than when the DON'T WALK signal is lit". And if you complain about it, Americans will tell you "here, the car is King", with the implication being that if you are not in your car, you somehow become a forelock-tugging serf. Whilst my knowledge of the American Revolution is hazy, I'm pretty sure that they had a different attitude towards Kings at one time,
May 4th 2005, 1:33 pm
#483
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by NC Penguin
Do they have boob jobs too or is that not found in your part of FL?
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May 6th 2005, 2:04 pm
#484
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
I don't know if this has come up before (and I can't be arsed to look) but I have a peeve regarding US cashpoints (ATMs, sorry):
Why do so many of them make you key in the amount of cash you want to the second decimal place? They ask you how much you want in multiples of $20, so you (for example) press the 1 then the zero twice, for $100, and the ATM goes "der, I can't give you $1.00, I said multiples of $20, dumbass", or words to that effect. I think this happens mostly with the older ATMs, but was there ever a time when you could get $1 bills or less out of a cashpoint? Why else would they make you do this?
Why do so many of them make you key in the amount of cash you want to the second decimal place? They ask you how much you want in multiples of $20, so you (for example) press the 1 then the zero twice, for $100, and the ATM goes "der, I can't give you $1.00, I said multiples of $20, dumbass", or words to that effect. I think this happens mostly with the older ATMs, but was there ever a time when you could get $1 bills or less out of a cashpoint? Why else would they make you do this?
May 6th 2005, 2:15 pm
#485
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by elfman
Why else would they make you do this?
May 6th 2005, 2:27 pm
#486
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by elfman
I don't know if this has come up before (and I can't be arsed to look) but I have a peeve regarding US cashpoints (ATMs, sorry):
Why do so many of them make you key in the amount of cash you want to the second decimal place? They ask you how much you want in multiples of $20, so you (for example) press the 1 then the zero twice, for $100, and the ATM goes "der, I can't give you $1.00, I said multiples of $20, dumbass", or words to that effect. I think this happens mostly with the older ATMs, but was there ever a time when you could get $1 bills or less out of a cashpoint? Why else would they make you do this?
Why do so many of them make you key in the amount of cash you want to the second decimal place? They ask you how much you want in multiples of $20, so you (for example) press the 1 then the zero twice, for $100, and the ATM goes "der, I can't give you $1.00, I said multiples of $20, dumbass", or words to that effect. I think this happens mostly with the older ATMs, but was there ever a time when you could get $1 bills or less out of a cashpoint? Why else would they make you do this?
It's simple: it saves on space and accounting to not have to worry with $1 and $5 bills. It's rare that I find an ATM that dispenses $10s these days -- most of them only have $20s and no matter what amount you request, it's coming in $20s. Never seen one give $50s or $100s.
My dad only recently retired from banking, so any other questions ask away. (he hate big chain banks that nickel and dime you for fees btw)
May 6th 2005, 2:29 pm
#487
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Today's front page had a story about Blair winning the UK election. I was pleasantly surprised it made the front page but it jarred me to read: "Blair's Labor Party..."
I guess if it were a party name in a foreign language, it'd be translated into English, but spare me, I think enough people understand "Labour" = "Labor." The ones interested in reading the article, anyway.
I guess if it were a party name in a foreign language, it'd be translated into English, but spare me, I think enough people understand "Labour" = "Labor." The ones interested in reading the article, anyway.
May 6th 2005, 2:30 pm
#488
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,174
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by elfman
I don't know if this has come up before (and I can't be arsed to look) but I have a peeve regarding US cashpoints (ATMs, sorry):
Why do so many of them make you key in the amount of cash you want to the second decimal place? They ask you how much you want in multiples of $20, so you (for example) press the 1 then the zero twice, for $100, and the ATM goes "der, I can't give you $1.00, I said multiples of $20, dumbass", or words to that effect. I think this happens mostly with the older ATMs, but was there ever a time when you could get $1 bills or less out of a cashpoint? Why else would they make you do this?
Why do so many of them make you key in the amount of cash you want to the second decimal place? They ask you how much you want in multiples of $20, so you (for example) press the 1 then the zero twice, for $100, and the ATM goes "der, I can't give you $1.00, I said multiples of $20, dumbass", or words to that effect. I think this happens mostly with the older ATMs, but was there ever a time when you could get $1 bills or less out of a cashpoint? Why else would they make you do this?
May 6th 2005, 2:51 pm
#489
Homebody
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: HOME
Posts: 23,182
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Bob
I know what you mean...it's annoying that you can't get $10 bills out of the machines...and fee's...that's so annoying because there's hardly any atm's with my bank where I need them, ain't any in this city...
May 6th 2005, 3:31 pm
#490
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
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Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by DonnaElvira
Can you get an account with a credit union - they usually allow free withdrawals from other CU's ATMs. (of course this info is of use to you only if there is a CU in your neck of the woods. Which seems pretty teeny-weeny and remote - is it?)
This is a proper city as well...apparantly...even though I'd still really call it a large village by English standards...but then using English standards, maine would only have 1 city and 4-5 towns rather than the 28 cities that they have listed *lol*
May 6th 2005, 8:46 pm
#491
Powder Maggot
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Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by snowbunny
Today's front page had a story about Blair winning the UK election. I was pleasantly surprised it made the front page but it jarred me to read: "Blair's Labor Party..."
I guess if it were a party name in a foreign language, it'd be translated into English, but spare me, I think enough people understand "Labour" = "Labor." The ones interested in reading the article, anyway.
I guess if it were a party name in a foreign language, it'd be translated into English, but spare me, I think enough people understand "Labour" = "Labor." The ones interested in reading the article, anyway.
May 6th 2005, 8:47 pm
#492
Powder Maggot
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Nuevo Mexico
Posts: 4,452
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by Bob
I know what you mean...it's annoying that you can't get $10 bills out of the machines...and fee's...that's so annoying because there's hardly any atm's with my bank where I need them, ain't any in this city...
May 7th 2005, 2:16 am
#493
BE Site Lead
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Location: MA, USA
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Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by AdobePinon
The trick is to use one near a college - they always give out fives.
May 7th 2005, 3:37 am
#494
Mrs Shep USCIS Graduate
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: ExPat Kiwi in Indiana USA
Posts: 1,865
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Ok this is something a little different I know but its something that has been bugging me ever since I arrived in this country.
Amercians around this area (Indiana) seem to be obsessed with Chilli & the one thing that amazes me about it is that they like to eat it with peanutbutter sandwiches Have any of you noticed this too or is it just peculiar to this area?? Dont know about you but Im used to eating it with corn bread something which these yanks are horrified by? Who has the strangest taste 
Amercians around this area (Indiana) seem to be obsessed with Chilli & the one thing that amazes me about it is that they like to eat it with peanutbutter sandwiches
Have any of you noticed this too or is it just peculiar to this area?? Dont know about you but Im used to eating it with corn bread something which these yanks are horrified by? Who has the strangest taste
May 7th 2005, 3:40 am
#495
A lion in your lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 7,605
Re: Pet Peeves peculiar to living in the USofA
Originally Posted by shepslady
Ok this is something a little different I know but its something that has been bugging me ever since I arrived in this country.
Amercians around this area (Indiana) seem to be obsessed with Chilli & the one thing that amazes me about it is that they like to eat it with peanutbutter sandwiches Have any of you noticed this too or is it just peculiar to this area?? Dont know about you but Im used to eating it with corn bread something which these yanks are horrified by? Who has the strangest taste
Amercians around this area (Indiana) seem to be obsessed with Chilli & the one thing that amazes me about it is that they like to eat it with peanutbutter sandwiches
Have any of you noticed this too or is it just peculiar to this area?? Dont know about you but Im used to eating it with corn bread something which these yanks are horrified by? Who has the strangest taste Nuff said.
