An Englishman defending Merkins!
It is often quoted that only 10-20% of Merkins hold passports, but if you think about it, to actually get out of the US is just as expensive as it is for us to go over there. In other words, they don't have Spain and France on their doorstep and certainly couldn't get £30 flights. I know many intelligent, well-travelled Merkins who take great pleasure in being able to use both the metric system and words like "snazzy".

That said...

I had the great pleasure of sharing a table in a restaurant with a Merkin who ordered the palace. (He meant plaice). Full marks to the other Merkin sitting with us, however, who commented "I think that may be a little on the *large* side".

I was also somewhat mystified when a Merkin colleague remarked with a sneer that "Britain is full of Indians". I retorted that Illinois (where he lived) seemed to be full of Mexicans. He seemed genuinely hurt, and didn't appreciate my ironic sentiment at all.

My girlfriend has the best story, though. When visiting one of the southern states on holiday with her Dad, a local asked whether we had cars in England. They honestly thought we used horse-and-carriage to get around.

I can sympathise with the mispronounced place names, but some things just amount to *common sense*, surely?
(noir, Tue 12 Jul 2005, 10:21, Reply)