You know you've been in the US too long when...

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:17 pm

#1381

Cardienscarf

Joined: Sep 2012

Location: Dancing round my handbag

Posts: 2,673

Cardienscarf has a reputation beyond repute

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Yes everyone says it - I think people only said it to their companions in the UK, ie did not shout it across a store at a stranger?

The 'bless you's' definitely seem more fervent here than in the UK.

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:20 pm

#1382

GeoffM

BE Forum Addict

Joined: Feb 2010

Location: Temecula, CA

Posts: 4,759

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Yes everyone says it - I think people only said it to their companions in the UK, ie did not shout it across a store at a stranger?

I think you're right. I vaguely remember being a bit surprised that a stranger would say it to me but now it just seems normal.

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:20 pm

#1383

SultanOfSwing

I have a comma problem

Joined: Feb 2009

Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)

Posts: 49,598

SultanOfSwing has a reputation beyond repute

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutek

++ Same here. I just don't respond. IS there a response that is meant to be given? It just creeps me out.

No response needed. Unless they manage to get some snot on you, that is.

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:25 pm

#1384

Nutek

Joined: Apr 2012

Location: CT

Posts: 33,508

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

No response needed. Unless they manage to get some snot on you, that is.

Always just flick it at em I guess, if they are in range.

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:28 pm

#1385

Lion in Winter

Joined: Aug 2003

Location: East Seaxe

Posts: 72,556

Lion in Winter has a reputation beyond repute

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

They do this is Mexico, with a "salud". God is not directly involved, but it is considered polite including among strangers.

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:30 pm

#1386

Yorkieabroad

Joined: Nov 2002

Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies

Posts: 8,933

Yorkieabroad has a reputation beyond repute

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter

They do this is Mexico, with a "salud".

I always thought that stuff on mexican salads was guacamole...

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:36 pm

#1387

Nutek

Joined: Apr 2012

Location: CT

Posts: 33,508

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkieabroad

I always thought that stuff on mexican salads was guacamole...

Apr 22nd 2013, 4:39 pm

#1388

Pulaski

Joined: Dec 2001

Location: Dixie, ex UK

Posts: 52,448

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lion in Winter

They do this is Mexico, with a "salud". God is not directly involved, but it is considered polite including among strangers.

I thought the Mexicans used "Hasous" (Jesus) like the Spaniards. ..... Or maybe they are secular and religious alternatives?

Apr 22nd 2013, 5:22 pm

#1389

MiniBrit

Forum Regular

Joined: Mar 2005

Location: MA, AZ, OR, TX...and... AZ again!

Posts: 280

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

It's like people who use the word 'blessed' instead of 'quite fortunate' and I know there are religious overtones there because the people who use it (invariably in arsebook posts) are certified god botherers. For the sake of balance, a couple of old school friends in the UK are guilty of that too, before anyone accuses me of picking on Americans

I also find that incredibly annoying. The word 'lucky' would be more appropriate in the majority of cases.

Apr 22nd 2013, 6:00 pm

#1390

mikelincs

Concierge

Joined: May 2006

Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton

Posts: 27,219

mikelincs has a reputation beyond repute

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutek

++ Same here. I just don't respond. IS there a response that is meant to be given? It just creeps me out.

Bless you as a response to sneezing was because in olden times a sneeze was though to be the body getting rid of a devil, and so Bless you was said to stop it getting back in.

Apr 22nd 2013, 6:16 pm

#1391

coastieexpat

BE Enthusiast

Joined: Mar 2010

Location: Mendocino, California

Posts: 954

coastieexpat has a reputation beyond repute

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelincs

Bless you as a response to sneezing was because in olden times a sneeze was though to be the body getting rid of a devil, and so Bless you was said to stop it getting back in.

We were also told that you cover your mouth when you yawn, so you don't let the devil in.

Apr 22nd 2013, 6:18 pm

#1392

SultanOfSwing

I have a comma problem

Joined: Feb 2009

Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)

Posts: 49,598

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikelincs

Bless you as a response to sneezing was because in olden times a sneeze was though to be the body getting rid of a devil, and so Bless you was said to stop it getting back in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coastieexpat

We were also told that you cover your mouth when you yawn, so you don't let the devil in.

How did farting figure into this whole thing, I wonder?

Apr 22nd 2013, 6:30 pm

#1393

Nutek

Joined: Apr 2012

Location: CT

Posts: 33,508

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

How did farting figure into this whole thing, I wonder?

"Oh yes, damn. Percy, the devil farts in my face once more."

Apr 22nd 2013, 6:33 pm

#1394

SultanOfSwing

I have a comma problem

Joined: Feb 2009

Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)

Posts: 49,598

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutek

"Oh yes, damn. Percy, the devil farts in my face once more."

Ah, Baldrick, the grave opens up before me like a big hole in the ground.

Apr 22nd 2013, 6:38 pm

#1395

Nutek

Joined: Apr 2012

Location: CT

Posts: 33,508

Re: You know you've been in the US too long when...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Ah, Baldrick, the grave opens up before me like a big hole in the ground.