Re: National symbols
it starts with laughing. -- Original Message -- From: Graywolf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 09:31:14 -0400 >That's OK, they are laughing at you because your tastes and behavior are >a bit different than theirs. > >What you have to watch out for are people who think they have the right, >even the duty, to exterminate you because your tastes and behaviors are >a bit different than theirs. Unfortunately there seems to be all too >many of them in the world. > Sent via the KillerWebMail system at stanleypmlaw.com
Re: National symbols
For "the more moronic ones"? Nice. I was tying to give you the benefit of the doubt, but you are making it hard. -- Original Message -- From: Frantisek <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 14:28:59 +0200 >And Daniel, I certainly didn't want to insult any Americans with that. >The post was intercepted with two smileys / :) / for >the more moronic ones. Sent via the KillerWebMail system at stanleypmlaw.com
Re: National symbols
In many places they'd do the same thing but snarl at you. Tom C wrote: I was in Starbucks today. I was late for work. I was grouchy and in a hurry. There were four brewers for regular drip coffee, all empty. The young girl turned around and said, "I'm sorry we're out, would you mind waiting 2 minutes?" I replied "I thought I came to a coffee place". The other barista said, "Yes sir, you did" with a sweet smile plastered on her face and a pleasant tone of voice. I said "Well I don't have 2 minutes to wait, I'll go elsewhere." They said they were sorry and wished me a nice day. Tom C. From: "Peter J. Alling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: National symbols Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 02:15:41 -0400 Don't forget that in many countries the standard is service with a scowl, McDonald's trains their employees to smile at customers. Daniel J. Matyola wrote: Actually, when I am in Europe, it seems they have as many McDonald's restaurants there as in the US, and they always seem to be quite full of locals. This was as true in London, Paris and Moscow as in rural Ireland. Quite a number of fast food joints in BC and Alberta when I was last there, come to think of it. Personally, I find McDonals's good for only three things: 1) If you need to find the tourist center of any town, just follow the McDonald's signs. 2) When you are in a strange city, and in desparate need of a clean restroom. 3) When in a country that serve tiny cups of coffee, one can get a large hot cup of of dependable, if not outstanding quality, black coffee there. With this mermaid discussion... just thinking that the French have that nice Eiffel Tower, and they also were kind to the yankees and sent them the Statue of Liberty, unfortunately these guys south of here are busy replacing that with the McDonalds logo. C'mon guys, some more arteestec sense, will ya' ? -- I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners - two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime. --P.J. O'Rourke -- I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners - two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime. --P.J. O'Rourke
Re: National symbols
Tequila is Mexican Juan's Columbian. Keith Whaley wrote: Graywolf wrote: Doesn't bother me. I am a Finn on my mothers side. Aha! That says a lot! Dorsal or ventral? Although I heard from her Aunts and Uncles that a lot of the people living in Finland are Swedes (actually, they always said, "Goddamned Swedes")... GRIN! Isn't it strange that the heaviest coffee drinkers live in countries where the stuff will not grow? Okaay...what do you suppose Juan Valdez drinks? Tequila? keith -- I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners - two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime. --P.J. O'Rourke
Re: National symbols
You didn't have to point that out Keith :) Tom C. From: Keith Whaley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: National symbols Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 03:08:02 -0700 Tom C wrote: I was in Starbucks today. I was late for work. I was grouchy and in a hurry. There were four brewers for regular drip coffee, all empty. The young girl turned around and said, "I'm sorry we're out, would you mind waiting 2 minutes?" I replied "I thought I came to a coffee place". The other barista said, "Yes sir, you did" with a sweet smile plastered on her face and a pleasant tone of voice. I said "Well I don't have 2 minutes to wait, I'll go elsewhere." They said they were sorry and wished me a nice day. Good for her. A good example of calm and gracious service in the face of adversity. In Paris the counter help would be throwing pots and pans around with loud grumbling... And in the meawhile, YOU wasted far more than two minutes in travel and dialog time. keith Tom C.
Re: Customer relations (Was Re: National symbols)
Things are better today, it used to be that Complaints were the extrior door on the 15th floor. Headline: "Another Suicide At Cotty's Department Store". -- Cotty wrote: On 22/9/04, mike.wilson, discombobulated, unleashed: Standard procedure these days is to have some pretty, young female as "Customer relations consultant" so that when you (the usually male complainer) go in breathing fire the prettiness, "caring" voice and concerned manner put you off. I either carry on regardless or, if I'm feeling really mean, say "Actually, my wife is the person who needs to speak to you". I get as much pleasure watching their expressions change as their hair streams out behind in the blast, as I do in the recompense. We got a total refund on our last service from the local 5star Ford dealer. Manners have no place in complaints to large corporations. I'm sorry, Complaints is down the hall. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
Tom C wrote: I was in Starbucks today. I was late for work. I was grouchy and in a hurry. There were four brewers for regular drip coffee, all empty. The young girl turned around and said, "I'm sorry we're out, would you mind waiting 2 minutes?" I replied "I thought I came to a coffee place". The other barista said, "Yes sir, you did" with a sweet smile plastered on her face and a pleasant tone of voice. I said "Well I don't have 2 minutes to wait, I'll go elsewhere." They said they were sorry and wished me a nice day. Good for her. A good example of calm and gracious service in the face of adversity. In Paris the counter help would be throwing pots and pans around with loud grumbling... And in the meawhile, YOU wasted far more than two minutes in travel and dialog time. keith Tom C.
Re: Customer relations (Was Re: National symbols)
Reminds me when I worked as a teacher for awhile in the 80's. At the end of the lesson 10 minutes left (I was new to the class), a curvy high school girl came to the desk leaned forward, showing of her torso, flashing with the eyes, and asked in a very sweet voice if the class could end earlier. I ooked at her and siad.. No! She had this instantaneous change from seet to steem coming out of her ears in nill time. Cheers, Ronald Cotty wrote: On 22/9/04, mike.wilson, discombobulated, unleashed: Standard procedure these days is to have some pretty, young female as "Customer relations consultant" so that when you (the usually male complainer) go in breathing fire the prettiness, "caring" voice and concerned manner put you off. I either carry on regardless or, if I'm feeling really mean, say "Actually, my wife is the person who needs to speak to you". I get as much pleasure watching their expressions change as their hair streams out behind in the blast, as I do in the recompense. We got a total refund on our last service from the local 5star Ford dealer. Manners have no place in complaints to large corporations. I'm sorry, Complaints is down the hall. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: Customer relations (Was Re: National symbols)
On 22/9/04, mike.wilson, discombobulated, unleashed: >Standard procedure these days is to have some pretty, young female as >"Customer relations consultant" so that when you (the usually male >complainer) go in breathing fire the prettiness, "caring" voice and >concerned manner put you off. I either carry on regardless or, if I'm >feeling really mean, say "Actually, my wife is the person who needs to >speak to you". > >I get as much pleasure watching their expressions change as their hair >streams out behind in the blast, as I do in the recompense. We got a >total refund on our last service from the local 5star Ford dealer. >Manners have no place in complaints to large corporations. I'm sorry, Complaints is down the hall. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Customer relations (Was Re: National symbols)
Hi, Tom C wrote: I was in Starbucks today. I was late for work. I was grouchy and in a hurry. There were four brewers for regular drip coffee, all empty. The young girl turned around and said, "I'm sorry we're out, would you mind waiting 2 minutes?" I replied "I thought I came to a coffee place". The other barista said, "Yes sir, you did" with a sweet smile plastered on her face and a pleasant tone of voice. I said "Well I don't have 2 minutes to wait, I'll go elsewhere." They said they were sorry and wished me a nice day. Standard procedure these days is to have some pretty, young female as "Customer relations consultant" so that when you (the usually male complainer) go in breathing fire the prettiness, "caring" voice and concerned manner put you off. I either carry on regardless or, if I'm feeling really mean, say "Actually, my wife is the person who needs to speak to you". I get as much pleasure watching their expressions change as their hair streams out behind in the blast, as I do in the recompense. We got a total refund on our last service from the local 5star Ford dealer. Manners have no place in complaints to large corporations. mike CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE DISCLAIMER Confidentiality: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If they come to you in error you must take no action based on them, nor must you copy or show them to anyone; please reply to this email and highlight the error. Please note that the views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the college. Security Warning: Please note that this email has been created in the knowledge that Internet email is not a 100% secure communications medium. We advise that you understand and observe this lack of security when emailing us. Viruses: Although we have taken steps to ensure that this email and attachments are free from any virus, we advise that in keeping with good computing practice the recipient should ensure thay are actually virus free.
Re: National symbols
I was in Starbucks today. I was late for work. I was grouchy and in a hurry. There were four brewers for regular drip coffee, all empty. The young girl turned around and said, "I'm sorry we're out, would you mind waiting 2 minutes?" I replied "I thought I came to a coffee place". The other barista said, "Yes sir, you did" with a sweet smile plastered on her face and a pleasant tone of voice. I said "Well I don't have 2 minutes to wait, I'll go elsewhere." They said they were sorry and wished me a nice day. Tom C. From: "Peter J. Alling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: National symbols Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 02:15:41 -0400 Don't forget that in many countries the standard is service with a scowl, McDonald's trains their employees to smile at customers. Daniel J. Matyola wrote: Actually, when I am in Europe, it seems they have as many McDonald's restaurants there as in the US, and they always seem to be quite full of locals. This was as true in London, Paris and Moscow as in rural Ireland. Quite a number of fast food joints in BC and Alberta when I was last there, come to think of it. Personally, I find McDonals's good for only three things: 1) If you need to find the tourist center of any town, just follow the McDonald's signs. 2) When you are in a strange city, and in desparate need of a clean restroom. 3) When in a country that serve tiny cups of coffee, one can get a large hot cup of of dependable, if not outstanding quality, black coffee there. With this mermaid discussion... just thinking that the French have that nice Eiffel Tower, and they also were kind to the yankees and sent them the Statue of Liberty, unfortunately these guys south of here are busy replacing that with the McDonalds logo. C'mon guys, some more arteestec sense, will ya' ? -- I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners - two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime. --P.J. O'Rourke
Re: National symbols
On Sep 22, 2004, at 12:45 AM, Doug Franklin wrote: On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 13:25:54 +0100, Cotty wrote: Hey Dave, what if you take her in an Ann Summers shop? You both might get arrested for public indecency. Now taking her _to_ an Ann Summers shop ... :-) Looks like it wouldn' t make much difference. Cheers, - Dave http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/
Re: National symbols
Don't forget that in many countries the standard is service with a scowl, McDonald's trains their employees to smile at customers. Daniel J. Matyola wrote: Actually, when I am in Europe, it seems they have as many McDonald's restaurants there as in the US, and they always seem to be quite full of locals. This was as true in London, Paris and Moscow as in rural Ireland. Quite a number of fast food joints in BC and Alberta when I was last there, come to think of it. Personally, I find McDonals's good for only three things: 1) If you need to find the tourist center of any town, just follow the McDonald's signs. 2) When you are in a strange city, and in desparate need of a clean restroom. 3) When in a country that serve tiny cups of coffee, one can get a large hot cup of of dependable, if not outstanding quality, black coffee there. With this mermaid discussion... just thinking that the French have that nice Eiffel Tower, and they also were kind to the yankees and sent them the Statue of Liberty, unfortunately these guys south of here are busy replacing that with the McDonalds logo. C'mon guys, some more arteestec sense, will ya' ? -- I can understand why mankind hasn't given up war. During a war you get to drive tanks through the sides of buildings and shoot foreigners - two things that are usually frowned on during peacetime. --P.J. O'Rourke
Re: National symbols
On 21/9/04, Doug Franklin, discombobulated, unleashed: >You both might get arrested for public indecency. Now taking her _to_ >an Ann Summers shop ... :-) HAR! Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
On Mon, 20 Sep 2004 13:25:54 +0100, Cotty wrote: > Hey Dave, what if you take her in an Ann Summers shop? You both might get arrested for public indecency. Now taking her _to_ an Ann Summers shop ... :-) TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ
Re: National symbols
On 20/9/04, David Mann, discombobulated, unleashed: >My partner did not drink tea until she spent a month in the UK earlier >this year, now she has the stuff regularly. >A visit to the Glenmorangie distillery made her into a whiskey drinker, >too. Hey Dave, what if you take her in an Ann Summers shop? Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
On 20/9/04, Bob W, discombobulated, unleashed: >>>I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and >>>behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. > >> Wise words. > >...the end of comedy as we know it... Now that's going *too* far! Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
Monday, September 20, 2004, 3:50:44 AM, Daniel wrote: DM> I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and DM> behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. And Daniel, I certainly didn't want to insult any Americans with that. The post was intercepted with two smileys / :) / for the more moronic ones. Don't always assume the worst case - that somebody is deliberately insulting something. Internet is such a wide place that subtle language and cultural differences can make an innocent humorous post into an insulting one. I wouldn't censor it though to some mild versions. Just assume the better intentions if you talk to other people, and watch plenty of Monty Python if you still don't get such humour ;-) Good light! fra
Re: National symbols
That's OK, they are laughing at you because your tastes and behavior are a bit different than theirs. What you have to watch out for are people who think they have the right, even the duty, to exterminate you because your tastes and behaviors are a bit different than theirs. Unfortunately there seems to be all too many of them in the world. --- Cotty wrote: On 19/9/04, Daniel Matyola, discombobulated, unleashed: I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. Wise words. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
Hi, >>I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and >>behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. > Wise words. ...the end of comedy as we know it... -- Cheers, Bob
Re: National symbols
On Sep 20, 2004, at 9:53 AM, Mark Roberts wrote: And the English drink tea... Yes, I do see a pattern developing here ;-) My partner did not drink tea until she spent a month in the UK earlier this year, now she has the stuff regularly. A visit to the Glenmorangie distillery made her into a whiskey drinker, too. Not sure if I'll let her go back: she might end up making haggis. Cheers, - Dave http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/
Re: National symbols
Cotty wrote: On 19/9/04, Mark Roberts, discombobulated, unleashed: And the English drink tea... Yes, I do see a pattern developing here ;-) Just made a pot. Anyone? Thanks, I'm gasping. S
Re: National symbols
Monday, September 20, 2004, 3:50:44 AM, Daniel wrote: DM> I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and DM> behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. Daniel, perhaps you will also learn that on the web, you shouldn't play a patronising wise-a**... I have met people from many different cultures, and hold respect for them all. If you can't understand my bit of humour _from a different culture_, tough luck. Good light! fra
Re: National symbols
On 19/9/04, Daniel Matyola, discombobulated, unleashed: >I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and >behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. Wise words. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
I learned long ago not to laugh at others whose tastes and behavior were a bit different from mone. Some day you may also. >Frantisek wrote: > >> What? Tiny cups of coffee ARE THE BEST :) Every coffee-drinking nation >> laughs at Americans for the stupid way they do coffee... Learn from >> the Turks, they make the best coffee :) > > Sent via the KillerWebMail system at stanleypmlaw.com
Re: National symbols
Cotty <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >On 19/9/04, Mark Roberts, discombobulated, unleashed: > >>And the English drink tea... >>Yes, I do see a pattern developing here ;-) > >Just made a pot. Anyone? I have quite enough here...
Re: National symbols
On 19/9/04, Mark Roberts, discombobulated, unleashed: >And the English drink tea... >Yes, I do see a pattern developing here ;-) Just made a pot. Anyone? Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=|www.macads.co.uk/snaps _
Re: National symbols
From: "Graywolf" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Isn't it strange that the heaviest coffee drinkers live in countries > where the stuff will not grow? Definately. Much like Pentax buyers? :-) Jostein
Re: National symbols
G> As for turkish coffee, I have never seen any reason to bother with the G> water, you might just as well eat a big spoonful of finely ground coffee G> and sugar. LOL :) Good light! fra
Re: National symbols
Sunday, September 19, 2004, 2:55:26 PM, Caveman wrote: C> Turks ? Naaah... The Italians have invented Viagra long time ago... they C> call it Espresso... you just have to find a place that properly makes C> it check for these signs - it should be half a small cup, strong C> roasted coffee smell and taste and instantly gets your blood pressure up C> with 4-5 units... Hah! even the smallest italian Ristretto isn't up to good turkish coffee made in Jazwa! I had the occassion to taste coffee prepared by friends from Iraq, and it was also marvelous. Care for a fight ;-) ? Good light! fra
Re: National symbols
Last time I heard of that kind of statistics, the nation with highest per capita consume of coffee was actually Finland...:-) Jostein - Original Message - From: "Graywolf" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 3:23 PM Subject: Re: National symbols > Tiny cups of very strong coffee are great when you only do one cup. But > when you drink coffee as a beverage, well... > > As for turkish coffee, I have never seen any reason to bother with the > water, you might just as well eat a big spoonful of finely ground coffee > and sugar. > > As for coffee drinking nations, the US is the only one. The rest of you > just are occassional sippers (grin). > > --- > > Frantisek wrote: > > > What? Tiny cups of coffee ARE THE BEST :) Every coffee-drinking nation > > laughs at Americans for the stupid way they do coffee... Learn from > > the Turks, they make the best coffee :) > >
Re: National symbols
Tiny cups of very strong coffee are great when you only do one cup. But when you drink coffee as a beverage, well... As for turkish coffee, I have never seen any reason to bother with the water, you might just as well eat a big spoonful of finely ground coffee and sugar. As for coffee drinking nations, the US is the only one. The rest of you just are occassional sippers (grin). --- Frantisek wrote: What? Tiny cups of coffee ARE THE BEST :) Every coffee-drinking nation laughs at Americans for the stupid way they do coffee... Learn from the Turks, they make the best coffee :)
Re: National symbols
Turks ? Naaah... The Italians have invented Viagra long time ago... they call it Espresso... you just have to find a place that properly makes it check for these signs - it should be half a small cup, strong roasted coffee smell and taste and instantly gets your blood pressure up with 4-5 units... Frantisek wrote: What? Tiny cups of coffee ARE THE BEST :) Every coffee-drinking nation laughs at Americans for the stupid way they do coffee... Learn from the Turks, they make the best coffee :)
RE: National symbols
The first thing I was told when touring Europe for the first time twenty years ago was to put a roll of toilet paper in my day pack. That was the best piece of advice I got on that trip. Regards, Paul Ewins Melbourne, Australia -Original Message- From: Bob W [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 8:40 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: National symbols Hi, > Fourth reason for McD: public toilets ;-) Although they now charge for it > (KFC doesn't, yet), and using a local toilet can be a nice cultural > experience. At the Ras Hotel in Addis Ababa the toilets are fully equipped with porcelain and running water, which makes them something of a rarity in the country. But they ration the toilet paper. An old woman sits on a stool (3-legged wooden variety, I rush to add!) outside the cubicle and gives you your ration of 3 sheets as you enter. Woe betide you if your stomach is not used to Africa - you won't get any more paper. When I was last there they didn't have any McDonalds, I'm glad to say. But they did have a distinctly grotty McDonal's. They have a sense of humour too. No Hard Rock Cafe, but there is a Hard Luck Cafe. -- Cheers, Bob
Re: National symbols
Hi, > Fourth reason for McD: public toilets ;-) Although they now charge for it > (KFC doesn't, yet), and using a local toilet can be a nice cultural > experience. At the Ras Hotel in Addis Ababa the toilets are fully equipped with porcelain and running water, which makes them something of a rarity in the country. But they ration the toilet paper. An old woman sits on a stool (3-legged wooden variety, I rush to add!) outside the cubicle and gives you your ration of 3 sheets as you enter. Woe betide you if your stomach is not used to Africa - you won't get any more paper. When I was last there they didn't have any McDonalds, I'm glad to say. But they did have a distinctly grotty McDonal's. They have a sense of humour too. No Hard Rock Cafe, but there is a Hard Luck Cafe. -- Cheers, Bob
Re: National symbols
DJM> Personally, I find McDonals's good for only three things: 1) If you DJM> need to find the tourist center of any town, just follow the McDonald's DJM> signs. 2) When you are in a strange city, and in desparate need of a DJM> clean restroom. 3) When in a country that serve tiny cups of coffee, DJM> one can get a large hot cup of of dependable, if not outstanding DJM> quality, black coffee there. What? Tiny cups of coffee ARE THE BEST :) Every coffee-drinking nation laughs at Americans for the stupid way they do coffee... Learn from the Turks, they make the best coffee :) Fourth reason for McD: public toilets ;-) Although they now charge for it (KFC doesn't, yet), and using a local toilet can be a nice cultural experience. Good light! fra
