gruffbrown

Yep same here, I'd stand for anyones National Anthem out of respect, but I don't sing it.

I've been to a couple of do's were everyone had to say the pledge of allegiance "One nation under a groove... etc" with an hono(u)r guard, I got some funny looks there for not having my hand on my heart and reciting it.

DarrenP

Adjusting how you write and say things according to where you reside is really a simple matter of common courtesy and ease of being understood surely? I use American English in all work and official correspondance. As said elsewhere in the thread 'When in Rome'. In writing e-mails back home I write in British English. I can use both interchangably and it's hardly a big deal. Just more z's and less u's in American English If I do drop my u's in e-mails to say, my sister I get reamed for it.

As for conversational words, I've no idea why you would stubbornly want to use British equivalents. You are simply making life harder for yourself. If you went into a car shop and asked for the dent to be removed from your bonnet they would look at you like you were from Mars, so what's the point? Use their words If you know what they are and you'll be much easier understood. Seems like a no brainer to me. I've got an English friend here who insists on not adapting at all whatsoever with the language, and it annoys the crap out of me to be honest!

Elvira

I wouldn't know how to say this in American if my life depended on it!!

But I usually find ways of making myself understood. Even the guy who was initially puzzled when I told him that the duvet and the rubbers were in the boot eventually figured it out...

Rompers

I don't say the pledge of allegiance, I don't owe their flag any allegiance so it would be insincere of me to do otherwise.

I stand when the national anthem is played as a mark of respect, but I don't sing. I also tell them how proud I am that the "rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air" were supplied by us

gruffbrown

4th of July Parties, "So what is it you lot are celebrating again?"

ironporer

WELL I FOR ONE THINK THAT KEEPING YOUR RUBBERS IN YOUR BOOTS IS DISCUSTING- they'll end up smelling like socks and probablly offer less protection. Hope you use a diaphram also just in case.

Toontje

I think it's disgusting.....

Rompers

Last November I was asked if we celebrate Thanksgiving. I said yes...on the 4th of July

gruffbrown

I'm going to pinch that one

Bob

I think it's more a matter of it coming easily to say bonnet etc, and tbh, generally, unless I'm speaking to some mong, most people really don't have that much trouble understanding what I say...I do slip in the odd trash and gas etc the longer I stay here, don't have a problem with that either.

Elvira

PRICELES!!!

gruffbrown

I do say a lot of words the 'Merikan way, faucet, hood, fender, gas, trunk, etc. But then others I still say the British way Tomato, Aluminium and strangely Hoover instead of vacuum.

I've had some great conversations in Home Depot...

"Well I'm after an adjustable Acrow"
"A what?"
"An 8 foot adjustable Acrow"
"Ain't never heard of that?"
"It's a pole you wind up to take the weight of something heavy"
"Like a curtain pole?"
"It can carry a couple of tons, so no"
"A couple, is that two?"
"Yes it is"
"So a big curtain pole then?"
"No it's made from 3 inch steel pipe, so they'd be really heavy curtains"
"Ohhhh do you mean a Lally Column?"
"No I mean an Acrow"
"Here I'll show you one"
"That's it"
"That's a Lally column"
"Yep, made by Acrow, I'll take two"

Elvira

Now Gruffy dear you know what happens to naughty little boys who tells fibs!

It's DRAPES, ffs.

No septic HD employee would even know what a curtain is unless it's in a shower...

gruffbrown

And I don't remember my Home Depot conversations verbatim, but you get the drift.

Elvira

I get a lot of things :scared: