That's naff

Naff is used in the UK to say when something is rubbish. 'That's naff' - i haven't heard that saying in a long time.

Air conditioning

Florida is the warm state.. there's no discussion about that. And that's why I love Florida but what I don't understand is that when you go into shops, the cinema or whatever the air conditioning is on something like 60 degrees so its freezing. You wear clothes based on the weather outside, so when its 90 degrees outside, you're wearing shorts and t shirts etc but then you go into a store and the AC is on 60 degrees and you're freezing. Doesn't anyone realize that this fluctuation between 90 and 60 degrees is enough to get anyone sick.

Coke no ice please

What's the deal with ice? Growing up in the UK I was never used to ice. Never had ice with my water or in my drinks. On the few occasions when the waiter asked if I wanted ice I declined because it seemed like the drink was watered down with the addition of the ice.

In the US you have to specifically state when ordering a drink that you DO NOT want ice because otherwise you will get ice. And sometimes when you do request no ice, you still get it ANYWAY. I hate ice in my drink, what's the deal with that anyway. It waters down whatever it is you choose. I guess if the drink has been kept out and is really hot, you may need ice to cool it down but otherwise if the drink is cool, I'll take it without ice.

'coke, no ice please'

The selling game

We all know how enthusiastic sales associates are in the US and how keen they are to do everything they can to make a sale. Well most of the time they have to - its their job. And in certain stores they get a commission based upon how much they can sell.

Went to Macy's the other day w/ my cousin. She was looking at a designer bag. A sales associate approached us and asked if she could help. A few minutes that she approached us again in a different area asking again if she could help. After saying no both times, I was surprised when I saw her again for the third time, but this time she began asking us if we had a Macy's credit card, and if not, she would be happy to open one for us so we could get an additional discount on this purchase she was 'hoping' we would make. When my cousin told her that she was not a Florida resident, she went on to tell us that she could still try to open an account for her or would try to see if she could offer her an international discount if she could open a international credit card. Seriously - I think she was a little over the top, but I guess she was just doing her job.

Isn't it funny how sometimes when you do want help, you can never find someone to help you but when you don't want help, and you just want to be left alone to do your shopping - there is someone bugging you constantly.

You can't win - I suppose.

That's awesome

Have you ever noticed how many times Americans say 'that's awesome?' Do we really mean it, or is it just another optimistic way of looking at the world, or just part of the American friendliness that we all try to portray.

Crisps or Chips

In the UK - crisps are those things that you get in small little packets in different flavors and shapes. Chips are the things you get in a newspaper that are fried and you can put salt and vinegar on.

In the US - chips are the things in small little packets. Fries are the things you get from McDonalds, burger king, wendy's etc.

At Washington airport my cousin and her kids were at the airport and fancied some 'chips' (the typical fish and chips). and when they asked for chips at a food stall, they were surprised when they got a packet of crisps  (Doritos) which in America are actually called chips. So just remember when visiting.......... you have to know what is called what if you want a good snack.

Restroom privacy

Have you ever noticed that most public restrooms have a gap? Usually this gap is between the point where you lock the door. Crazy huh? I hadn't thiought much of it until my cousin who was visiting mentioned that this is very different from the UK. Not to mention the whole restroom vs. toilet debate between the UK and the US.
The restrooms at the airport, at the outlets, at the malls they all seemed to have this same gap that we don't tend to think much of it but the gap is big enough to be able to tell if someone is in the cubicle or not. So next time you use a public restroom think twice becausre you might not be totally alone as you might think.