An afternoon at Mary Arden Farm

Lichfield England YSA

Signs I have not seen in the US

A sign over the single portion ice cream at a wholesale grocer in Tamworth.

At the entry to a building in Wolverhampton.

Dispensing chemists in the UK are what we call pharmacists in the USA.

Ah, marketing ploys.  This is in Stratford-upon-Avon, in case you didn't guess!

It must work.  I saw no anti-social behaviour when we rode the train!

Leaving the car park  (parking lot) at a neighborhood store.

Ironmongery!  I have only seen this word in novels!

Pukka is pronounced puck-a, not puke-a, as I first imagined!

Downtown Birmingham Christmas Market

Friday night, 6 December, we took the train to Birmingham!  We walked through the German Market and then by this market on our way to Symphony Hall, where we heard the Messiah.  What a wonderful evening!

A thought for Thanksgiving:

President Rasmussen shared this anonymous poem in his weekly letter to missionaries.  He counseled us to "learn to be grateful for the blessings we didn't ask for. "

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for—but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.

British Politeness

Just last night we were taking two people home.  One of them, Louise, joined the church last spring and had commented she had not seen many of the chapels in the Stake.  Since we were driving past the Walsall building, we offered to make a quick detour so she could see the chapel and its spacious lawn.  She replied "I don't mind." Not sure what that meant, I asked her to translate from British to American.  She replied it means "Whatever you want to do."  Realizing (realising if you are British) that she politely did not want to inconvenience us, we showed her the building!

 I am reminded of this delightful translation of British Speak found on the website for the Telegraph:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10280244/Translation-table-explaining-the-truth-behind-British-politeness-becomes-internet-hit.html

The British trait of being too polite to speak one's mind has led to a table translating numerous hollow English phrases becoming an internet hit. 

The table sheds light on just how difficult it can be for a foreigner to understand what the British really mean when they're speaking – especially for those take every word at face value.

Phrases that prove the trickiest to decipher include 'you must come for dinner', which foreigners tend to take as a direct invitation, but is actually said out of politeness by many Britons and often does not result in an invite.

The table also reveals that when a person from Britain begins a sentence "with the greatest respect ...', they actually mean 'I think you are an idiot'.
_________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT THE BRITISH SAY	WHAT THE BRITISH MEAN	WHAT FOREIGNERS UNDERSTAND
I hear what you say	I disagree and do not want to discuss it further	He accepts my point of view
With the greatest respect	You are an idiot	He is listening to me
That's not bad	That's good	That's poor
That is a very brave proposal	You are insane	He thinks I have courage
Quite good	A bit disappointing	Quite good
I would suggest	Do it or be prepared to justify yourself	Think about the idea, but do what you like
Oh, incidentally/ by the way	The primary purpose of our discussion is	That is not very important
I was a bit disappointed that	I am annoyed that	It doesn't really matter
Very interesting	That is clearly nonsense	They are impressed
I'll bear it in mind	I've forgotten it already	They will probably do it
I'm sure it's my fault	It's your fault	Why do they think it was their fault?
You must come for dinner	It's not an invitation, I'm just being polite	I will get an invitation soon
I almost agree	I don't agree at all	He's not far from agreement
I only have a few minor comments	Please rewrite completely	He has found a few typos
Could we consider some other options	I don't like your idea	They have not yet decided

 _________________________________________________________________________________
The table points out that when Britons say 'I'm sure it's my fault', it actually means 'it's your fault'.

It also reveals that 'very interesting' can often mean 'that is clearly nonsense'.
The table, which has been posted on an number of blogs, has attracted thousands of comments from both Britons and foreigners claiming the interpretations are true to life.
Duncan Green, a strategic adviser for Oxfam who posted it online, described it as "a handy guide for our fellow Europeans and others trying to fathom weaselly Brit-speak".
Mr Green said: "Sadly, I didn’t write it. It’s just one of those great things that is being passed around on the internet."
Although the author of the table is unconfirmed, it is thought it may have originally been drawn up by a Dutch company as an attempt to help employees working in the UK.

More signs that gave me the giggles

I think most of us parents are quite capable of offending youth without any help!

Well, it is not as fun as Rotten Row, but Rotton Park is pretty good. 

When we saw a sign like this, it was too dark to take a photo.  I am so glad someone posted a photo online. Then I giggled when I saw the second photo.