Jo Thanks for the word usages and situations. I know how different people use the same word to mean different things sometimes and when I write something on the internet, I hope I am writing it the way they will understand it as I mean it in my mind. I did not want to have people miss understand something.
The difference between "cell phone" and "mobile phone" is not that great. With some other words or phrases the differences are greater.
I see you used the word "truck" which I thought you would have used the word "lorry." To me, that means you are writing with your readers in mind, not just how you would normally talk.
{One man who said 'hello, love' was strimming the grass} I think this is a string trimmer in the U.S. or referred to as a "weed eater." Here is what I found on Google about stimming.
Quote: Anyway, I was still learning stuff as most of the lawn had to be done with a 2 stroke petrol driven strimmer, something I'd never used before. With the goggles on and a small motorbike buzzing behind my shoulder my world shrank into a tunnel vision as I guided the strimming end over the lawn. The hours passed by, with occasional breaks for water and to let my hands recover from the vibrations, and apart from the sore back, it was a very satisfactory job, so much so I'm rather annoyed there's nothing else to strim.
I read in Russia, giving an odd (5,7,9,11) number of flowers is only for funerals and something else bad. If your a dinner guest you need to have an even number (6,8,10,12) of flowers to give to the dinner host. I found this and other cultural do's and don't on a web site "Advice for Traveling Executives/Business people."
I watch the Canadian news and hear comments U.S people don't know much about Canada but Canadians know a lot about the U.S. Many Canadians consider U.S. citizens self centered because of this. About once a week I listen to the Canadian news, the Native American / Indian /First American news, sometimes the German news, and occassionally the news? from China. I have watched the CNN International news from the UK, presented by Richard Quest. ( and the last vacation / holiday I went on was in 1986, strange, isn't it)
Anyway, I do like to learn a little about cultural traits other people have and word usage/history. It's interesting to think about what is good manners in one society, is considered rude in another society. Add that to individuals ability to write and express themself, or lack there of, and it is amazing how well we do communicate most of the time.
Other times I see why relationships are strained, especially when religious beliefs enter the picture.
Hope you and Andy can progress through baby steps so no one expects miracles to happen. Glad to see you have more PMA Jo.
