Let's see, what else. Oh -- I'm not sure if you do it the same way in the U.K. or not, but this always trips up an Aussie friend of mine when he comes up, so it's probably worth mentioning. Here in the U.S., when you go to the shops the various state and local sales taxes are not -- I repeat, not -- included in the price given on the shelf tags. In other words, that $4.99 picture frame is really going to cost you $5.39 if the local sales-tax rate is 8%. Note that sales taxes vary from state to state, local jurisdictions can often add their own fractions of a percent on top of that -- plus, some items (especially food items) are exempt from taxation -- so the best rule I can give you is to just assume 10% while you're doing your shopping, and let the chips fall where they may when you get to the register. :)
Also, local taxes are rarely included in the rate quotes for hotel rooms, cars, etc. These taxes differ wildly depending on the state and local laws, so when making arrangements for hotels or rental cars be very sure to ask what the final rate with taxes included is, or you might be in for an unpleasant surprise at check-out time!
Dialect differences that might trip you up:
Don't ask for "biscuits" to go with your tea over here -- you won't get what you want. :) To us, a "biscuit" is what you call a "scone" (or close to it, anyway); your sort of biscuits are called "cookies" or "crackers" over here. (Cookies are "sweet biscuits", while crackers are generally "savoury biscuits".)
"Buns" are not always sweet over here; the word more often applies to a soft bread roll. If you want your sort of bun, you probably want a "sweet roll" or a "cinnamon roll".
What you call "jam", we generally call "jelly." (Though it can also be called "jam" or "preserves", for reasons which escape me, and I live here, so don't feel bad if you can't figure it out either. :) ) What you call "jelly", is what we call "gelatin" or "Jell-O." (The brand name has become a generic term, like "kleenex" for tissue paper or "Xeroxing" for photocopying. :) )
In some areas of the country (primarily the Southeast, although this odd behavior has been noted in some portions of the New England states as well), when someone asks if you want a Coke, they're not necessarily asking if you specifically want a Coca-Cola; they're inquiring if you want any sort of soda or soft drink.
Be very, very wary of any food item described to you as "Rocky Mountain oysters", "Appalachian oysters", or indeed any other sort of oyster if the food item in question is (a) breaded and fried, or otherwise prepared so that the nature of the item is not immediately apparent, and (b) there's no visible evidence of oyster shells anywhere in the vicinity. Just trust me on this. :D
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Date: 2004-12-05 09:23 pm (UTC)Also, local taxes are rarely included in the rate quotes for hotel rooms, cars, etc. These taxes differ wildly depending on the state and local laws, so when making arrangements for hotels or rental cars be very sure to ask what the final rate with taxes included is, or you might be in for an unpleasant surprise at check-out time!
Dialect differences that might trip you up:
Don't ask for "biscuits" to go with your tea over here -- you won't get what you want. :) To us, a "biscuit" is what you call a "scone" (or close to it, anyway); your sort of biscuits are called "cookies" or "crackers" over here. (Cookies are "sweet biscuits", while crackers are generally "savoury biscuits".)
"Buns" are not always sweet over here; the word more often applies to a soft bread roll. If you want your sort of bun, you probably want a "sweet roll" or a "cinnamon roll".
What you call "jam", we generally call "jelly." (Though it can also be called "jam" or "preserves", for reasons which escape me, and I live here, so don't feel bad if you can't figure it out either. :) ) What you call "jelly", is what we call "gelatin" or "Jell-O." (The brand name has become a generic term, like "kleenex" for tissue paper or "Xeroxing" for photocopying. :) )
In some areas of the country (primarily the Southeast, although this odd behavior has been noted in some portions of the New England states as well), when someone asks if you want a Coke, they're not necessarily asking if you specifically want a Coca-Cola; they're inquiring if you want any sort of soda or soft drink.
Be very, very wary of any food item described to you as "Rocky Mountain oysters", "Appalachian oysters", or indeed any other sort of oyster if the food item in question is (a) breaded and fried, or otherwise prepared so that the nature of the item is not immediately apparent, and (b) there's no visible evidence of oyster shells anywhere in the vicinity. Just trust me on this. :D