Laughing at stupid foreigners.

[Gravity Aided]

I think they're all from Iowa.

Amana washers are too, but I think Iowans view them with fear and trepidation, rather like a Dalek. Exterminate!

 

[Ganymede]

[QUOTE 3146411, member: 259"]One big problem English for speakers when they try and speak French is saying (or understanding when someone else says) any number above 69 [/QUOTE]
This is soooo true. I speak fluent French but when I have to say "80" I grind to a halt. It's a mad system. Russian is even worse, I learned it years ago but have forgotten most of it so I won't go into details.

 

[Globalti]

Yes, soixante-dix for seventy, quatre-vignt for eighty and quatre-vignt dix for ninety - it's terrible. The Belgians have it easier with septante and nonante but, confusingly, stick with quatre-vignt for 80.

 

[yello]

Speaking of time, is it the Americans that say 'quarter of' for what the Brits call quarter to'. As I recall, 'quarter to' causes confusion in the US.

 

[Ganymede]

Speaking of time, is it the Americans that say 'quarter of' for what the Brits call quarter to'. As I recall, 'quarter to' causes confusion in the US.

I still say it though. Heh.

 

[Profpointy]

Apparently there's no difference in French between "thank you very much" and "thank you, nice arse"

 

[laurence]

Speaking of time, is it the Americans that say 'quarter of' for what the Brits call quarter to'. As I recall, 'quarter to' causes confusion in the US.

speaking english causes confusion over there.

 

[Gravity Aided]

speaking english causes confusion over there.

But, rest assured we all find you witty, urbane, and cultured, whatever language you are speaking.

 

[Ganymede]

Apparently there's no difference in French between "thank you very much" and "thank you, nice arse"

Only if you arse up your vowel sounds.

 

[perplexed]

Only if you arse up your vowel sounds.

*Perplexed now looks forward to his holiday in France even more...*

 

[Profpointy]

And there's the motto of the French Navy:

"A l'eau, c'est l'heure"


I thank you. I'm here all week

 

[Gravity Aided]

I always thought it was"Il est toujours 05 heures quelque part" in regards splicing the main brace.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Apparently there's no difference in French between "thank you very much" and "thank you, nice arse"

There also the confusion that occurs when someone suggests they protest about something they're mildly unhappy with and this translates into spraying the town hall with cow shìt.

 

[fimm]

People interested by the differences between British and American English might enjoy this blog:
http://separatedbyacommonlanguage.blogspot.co.uk/

My boyfriend's Dad is Austrian and his Mum is British - boyfriend and his sister grew up speaking both languages and the parents are fluent in the language that isn't their native one, if you see what I mean. Anyway they were on holiday near Lake Garda and there was a rather large woman and boyfriend's Dad, thinking she was American, made some less than complimentary comment in German. It turned out she was a fat German...

 

[Markymark]

[QUOTE 3148078, member: 45"]A friend of mine lived in China for 7 years. On a plane home once he needed a pen. He asked a flight attendant if he could borrow hers, but the word he thought meant pen actually meant ladybits.[/QUOTE]
I've heard this too, and a very bad word for lady bits at that! Apparently its the same word, same letter pronunciation but a different tone/inflection.