chips or fries
I've been here long enough that I am in a weird stage with the local language.
When I first arrived I didn't know the correct terms. So I used mine without apology. I "call" people on the phone, I do not "ring" them. I ask "Is that ok with you?" not "Does that suit you?". I greet people with "Hi, how are you?" instead of "Hiya" or "You allright?".
But now I know the correct words....I'm just not sure if I want to use them. It's a pride thing I guess. I've called it a "trash can" for 25+ years, do I really have to refer to it as a "rubbish bin" now?
My kids made up their mind months ago.
Rebecca dived right in and accepted her new language without a second thought. If I hand her a plate and say "Here's your burger and fries." she sighs and says "They are chips mum - get it right!". Yes, she refers to me as mum and talks about "films", not "movies". She goes to "discos" not "dances". She talks on a "mobile" not a "cell". I blame her best friend, who has the heaviest Belfast accent I've ever heard.
Jarod refuses to budge, he's patriotic to the core. His best friend is a good ole Irish lad who will fight at the drop off a hat, all in good fun. Jarod will say it's "soccer" not "football" and the fists will start to fly. In the end they each agree to disagree and walk away in arm in arm. Until the next day when his friend will say "Pull up your trousers." and they'll get in a row again "They are pants!" *punch* "Are not, pants go under your trousers" *kick* "No way, those are underwear!" *push/shove*.
Alex is middle of the road. He puts "salad" on his sandwich, not "lettuce", but he still eats "cookies" not "biscuits". He "goes uptop" instead of "upstairs" but he likes "chips" instead of "crisps". He uses his "buggy" not a "stroller" but he eats "jelly" not "jello", and "jam" instead of "jelly".
I think I'll just make compromises. I'm ok being "collected" instead of "picked up" and I don't mind pushing around a shopping "trolley" instead of a "cart". But I will never, ever, ask anyone if I can use their "toilet"! I don't care how many odd looks I get when I ask where the "restroom" is.
That last one took me awhile to get used to. Even if I live here for 50 more years I will still cringe every time I'm asked "Can I use your toilet?"
I don't know why? Is it because it's too direct? If you say "I'm going to the restroom." it leaves options open to what you will be doing in there. You don't get embarrassed because maybe your host does not know what you are up to...you could be fixing your hair or washing your hands or powdering your nose. But if you ask for the toilet it's basically announcing "Hey, I'm going to go in there and sit my bare butt down on your porcelain throne!".
There's no room for denial....and lord knows we Americans need our denial.