Comments on: ‘Z’ for ‘zero respect’ http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/ One man's struggle in a foreign land Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:14:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gabrielle http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/comment-page-1/#comment-794 Gabrielle Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:37:00 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/#comment-794 I read this and laughed, as I am experiencing the same thing as you but in reverse. I am terrified to realize that I am starting to 'think' in English [British English, that is] and I have to watch myself when on the phone with my American friends. I now regularly - and easily - say "well done", "good on you", "go on then", "do you reckon?" and "blimey". Worst of all, I find myself ending my sentences with the dreaded question that isn't a question, as in "well, that's up to him, isn't it?" - but pronounced "ISN'T it", indicating that it's a statement meant to end the conversation. I do find that turn of phrase so condescending, except for the fact that it doesn't seem to be meant that way. Congrats on blending with the locals, but don't worry; you'll never lose your native tongue! I read this and laughed, as I am experiencing the same thing as you but in reverse. I am terrified to realize that I am starting to ‘think’ in English [British English, that is] and I have to watch myself when on the phone with my American friends.

I now regularly – and easily – say “well done”, “good on you”, “go on then”, “do you reckon?” and “blimey”. Worst of all, I find myself ending my sentences with the dreaded question that isn’t a question, as in “well, that’s up to him, isn’t it?” – but pronounced “ISN’T it”, indicating that it’s a statement meant to end the conversation. I do find that turn of phrase so condescending, except for the fact that it doesn’t seem to be meant that way.

Congrats on blending with the locals, but don’t worry; you’ll never lose your native tongue!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/comment-page-1/#comment-786 Sarah Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:48:24 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/#comment-786 I found myself saying 'huh' far too often these days, but I am still fighting off the Y'ALL out here in Okieland! BTW thanks for the excellent tip on BOLLOCKS! LOL I never knew I could shout that here I found myself saying ‘huh’ far too often these days, but I am still fighting off the Y’ALL out here in Okieland!

BTW thanks for the excellent tip on BOLLOCKS! LOL I never knew I could shout that here

]]> By: Expatmum http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/comment-page-1/#comment-781 Expatmum Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:01:54 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/#comment-781 As long as we don't catch you saying "a bunch of stuff"! As long as we don’t catch you saying “a bunch of stuff”!

]]> By: sherilyn http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/comment-page-1/#comment-780 sherilyn Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:33:16 +0000 http://www.britoutofwater.com/2008/04/16/z-for-zero-respect/#comment-780 How do you know that you have given tourists correct directions? Do you follow them to make sure they have arrived at their chosen destination? I can't COUNT the number of times we were given TOTALLY incorrect directions whilst in London! But maybe that's all part of the gag, isn't it? How do you know that you have given tourists correct directions? Do you follow them to make sure they have arrived at their chosen destination? I can’t COUNT the number of times we were given TOTALLY incorrect directions whilst in London! But maybe that’s all part of the gag, isn’t it?

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