I got an amusing reply from another MoPo'er who assures me with a grin that learning/speaking French is not necessary when visiting Paris. With apologies to my French friends (there aren't many, but you know who you are), this person wrote:
"The Brits, Americans, Aussies, Canadians, New Zealanders, Jamaicans, Ghurkas, people from India - and all other English-speaking folk - don't have to speak French - because we made it so the French don't have to speak German!" Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:34:05 -0700 From: davidmkusum...@hotmail.com Subject: Re: welcome tp greece To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU OH, but I didn't tell you that I take the good with the bad. (And the irony is I was born in Japan but moved to the U.S. later, hence my appreciation for America in ways indigenous Americans sometimes take for granted.) I can understand about 30% of spoken Japanese (and can do a mean imitation of my Mom), but can't speak nor read it. (However, I do know how to differentiate written or spoken Japanese vs. Chinese, Korean or any other Asiatic language, EASY.) The bad: Outside of the merchant class, I get treated by others as if I'm an Aryan from the Far East, not flattering. During the 1980s, when the auto industry was decimated by Japanese imports, we saw bumper stickers here that said, "I'D RATHER EAT SHIT THAN DRIVE A J** TRUCK." But then, we all look alike hence there are times when I'm mistaken for Chinese or Vietnamese. Every once in a while, someone will mutter the word, "g**k," a word so funny that I can't help but laugh when I hear it. Doesn't feel like an insult, I'm sorry. One truism that does stick however, is we know how to make cars, but can't drive worth a damn. I point to my family as "exhibit A." Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:12:04 -0700 From: mro...@earthlink.net Subject: Re: welcome tp greece To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU I think it is time to learn enough Japanese to qualify for all the "expectation" perks. ----- Original Message ----- From: David Kusumoto To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 2:53 PM Subject: Re: [MOPO] welcome tp greece TOUCHÉ, Adrian! (Pretty funny.) Some of my pals report the surly behavior they've seen from the wait staff in Paris is because (so they say) - the Brits and Americans refuse to learn French - and/or because of bad manners from Brit soccer fans reflecting poorly on Anglo-philes in general. But what cracks me up when I'm overseas - is I've NEVER (obviously) - been mistaken as an American. Either I'm an annoying Asian with a camera who strayed from a "pack at Disneyland" - (which annoys other tourists more than merchants) - or I'm a high roller who works for Sony or Toshiba. I always get sumptuous treatment from merchants because I'm mistaken for a person with money who's a big tipper. (I am a good tipper, though.) When I'm handed Japanese language menus or approached by a clerk who speaks Japanese, I sometimes apologize and say, no, "Américain" or "Anglais." They then apologize - but then there's a noticeable drop-off in "expectation" afterward, so I pick and choose when to blow my cover. It's amusing. -d. Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:15:21 -0400 From: jboh...@aol.com Subject: Re: welcome tp greece To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Please do not include the UK under the banner of Europe...we are BRITISH!, we created the English language and we prefer not to have any doings with Johnny Foreigner. Especially those hailing from the Aegean area who have no scruples when it comes to making good on an auction. In fact I wouldn't trust anyone from a country that has retirement at 55 years of age, lazy lot. Get out and work for a living!!! This never happened to the other fella. -----Original Message----- From: peter contarino <pcontar...@triad.rr.com> To: MoPo-L <MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU> Sent: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:11 Subject: Re: [MOPO] welcome tp greece In short because I’m stupid David… I may have mentioned this but there is a fabulous book by Michael Lewis called “Boomerang” that details the European sovereign debt debacle and spends a good bit of time on Greece and Iceland. Really fascinating read. Peter From: MoPo List [mailto:mopo-l@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU] On Behalf Of David Kusumoto Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 4:37 PM To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Subject: Re: [MOPO] welcome tp greece I asked this before. If you're still using eBay, why don't you guys just ban buyers from Greece? I know it's draconian, but things are unsettled over there, e.g., like dealing a buyer registered in Nigeria. All eBay members are identified by the country from which they registered - and all sellers now have the ability to create a "default-country-by-country-exclusions list" on their selling templates. I'm not going to risk selling to countries with unreliable economies or postal systems. The only loophole question I'd have is: Is it possible for a bad eBay member to get a new ID - but register from a country that differs from what eBay requires to join? -d. Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:27:49 -0400 From: pcontar...@triad.rr.com Subject: Re: welcome tp greece To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU Evidently he’s a she: SOFIA KALAKONA PAROS PARIKIA CYCLADES 84400 Greece Peter Contarino From: Richard Halegua Posters + Comic Art [mailto:sa...@comic-art.com] Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2012 2:36 PM To: peter contarino Subject: Re: [MOPO] welcome tp greece give me his email & full name so I can make sure he isn't registered on MPB At 09:24 AM 3/17/2012, you wrote: Dear majesticposters, Hello from Greece. Out of excitement and foolish rush, I bid on three posters that I already have in my collection. Please,excuse me for the inconveniece, show your good hearted leniency, and subtract the following items from my order: 1.DADDY LONG LEGS ONE SHEET -FRED ASTAIRE AND LESLIE CARON ... (200724223548) 2.THE GLASS WEB ONE SHEET - SEXY BAD GIRL KATHLEEN HUGHES (200724227310) 3.DRACULA, PRINCE OF DARKNESS ONE SHEET CHRISTOPHER LEE HAM... (200724235130). the other two posters will be paid via PayPal first thing Thursday Morning. Please,for your good Karma's sake, forgive me, and send me a new Invoice with the 1.PATTON ONE SHEET -WAR (200724212733) & 2.ROCK AROUND THE WORLD ONE SHEET -COOL ROCK AND ROLL GFX (190650016079). We are all human beings and mistakes are made all the time! Counting on your integrity,please,I'm Waiting for your new Invoice.Thank you,thank you,thankyou. Enjoy your Weekend and God Bless us. - proficient911 Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com ___________________________________________________________________ How to UNSUBSCRIBE from the MoPo Mailing List Send a message addressed to: lists...@listserv.american.edu In the BODY of your message type: SIGNOFF MOPO-L The author of this message is solely responsible for its content.
