Hot Girl cools down
I was 17, had just bought my first car (Not a sexy car, but clean, reliable, and most importantly, had a huge back seat). One of the hottest girls in school had been very friendly with me, but I was still surprised when she agreed to go out.

Took her to this retro "drive-in" that's been there since the year one. (A place where the waitress brings your order out to your car on a tray -- an anachronism even back then.)

So I'm feeling great, sitting in my own car, with Hot Girl right next to me. She's laughing at all my jokes, and is flirting madly with me. She spills a small amount of Coke on the seat, and I realize we have no napkins ("serviettes" in the UK, I think?) to blot it up with. No problem, say I, I'll get some from the counter.

So I open the car door very carefully, due to the food tray hanging off the driver's side door. I trot up to the counter, grab a handful of napkins, and get back into the car.

And slam the car door.

Two giant cups of Coke flew across the car, drenching Hot Girl (and me) in cold Coke and crushed ice. That, combined with the cool Wisconsin air, quickly evaporated any passion she may have felt that evening.

The drive back to her house was very quiet.
(unmutual, Sun 23 Dec 2007, 1:06, 6 replies)

They're napkins in the UK too.
Calling them 'serviettes' is considered common and chavvy.
( Bob Todd whee, Sun 23 Dec 2007, 18:08, closed)

Avoiding chav-hood
Thanks for clarifying, Bob Todd. (Does that gaffe make me the first-ever American chav?)

A book on UK vs. American "English" advised (wrongly, apparently) that one should always use the word "serviette" rather than "napkin" in the UK, lest people think you were requesting a menstrual-type napkin with your food. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

In anticipation of my first trip to the UK, I read the book twice in hopes of avoiding a linguistic faux pas. I was nearly successful, until an unfortunate incident involving my public (mis-)use of the word "pants".
(unmutual, Mon 24 Dec 2007, 0:20, closed)

Don't worry
We're quite used to American speech and spelling, and will politly refrain from laughing until you leave the building.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Mon 24 Dec 2007, 13:57, closed)

oh crap
Was the drive in an A and W? I'm famous for spilling my foot long (extra chili, no onions, no mustard) all down my front. so now I keep it in its sleeve and munch it an inch at a time.



That doesn't sound very slutty, soes it?
(TDub Nunc id vides, nunc ne vides on, Mon 24 Dec 2007, 14:04, closed)

More information needed
TDub: Was the drive in an A and W?

No, it's called "The Kiltie", and it's still in business. I go there several times every summer.

TDub: That doesn't sound very slutty, does it?

Let's just say that you have my full attention. Please do continue.
(unmutual, Tue 25 Dec 2007, 3:07, closed)

.
I've never noticed any difference in connotation between "serviette" and "napkin" down 'ere in 'Ampshire, but I've never come across a chav who's used a word three syllables long.
(misanthrope is so adjective he's verbing nouns!, Thu 27 Dec 2007, 15:41, closed)