Yesterday’s Telegraph ran a piece by its US editor, presumably a Brit living here in the U.S., listing his top 10 most annoying American phrases, phrases that “infuriate” him.
I realize this is a tongue-in-cheek piece in honor of the great holiday Festivus, but “You’re welcome?” Seriously? “Uh huh” is the usual response I receive when I say “Thank you” to a store clerk or anyone under the age of 21. I’d keel over to hear “You’re welcome.”
And in my many (we won’t say how many) years of living in the U.S., I’ve never ever heard someone say, “Let’s visit with each other.” Have you? What Americans tend to say when saying goodbye to a friend or family member whose company they’ve enjoyed, “We should get together soon” or “Let’s meet up again.” It’s shorthand for, “I’d like to do this again, but I’m too tired to dig into my purse for my planner.” Plus, you’d come across as too eager and desperate to reschedule another visit on the spot. If you don’t like someone’s company, you might say something like, “Nice seeing you again” and leave it at that.
As for “Happy Holidays” … Here in the northeastern part of the U.S., I live amongst many Jews, Muslims, and Hindus, so it would feel totally inappropriate for me to blindly wish folks, “Merry Christmas!” Maybe if I lived in a more homogeneous part of the country it would be okay, but for now I’ll stick with my p.c. “Happy holidays!” and risk pissing off a cranky Brit here or there.
Here’s my pet peeve Americanism, something I’ve only noticed here in America in the land of chain restaurants, establishments my unapologetic middlebrow husband likes to frequent. When a server comes over to take our order, he’ll *sit down in our booth* and then say, “My name is Mike and I’ll be your server. How are you guys today? Great! Have you been to Longhorn Steakhouse before? Terrific! Can I start you off with drinks?” This is always delivered with saddlebags filled with mock cheer. America and its damned democratic ideals at their worst! Everyone’s got to be equal. I’m sorry, but when I sit down at Longhorn Steakhouse, I want the waiter to take my orders and bring me my food, not plop down at my table and pretend he’s a friend who actually cares.
I’m always tempted to ask for a bucket in these circumstances, but to preserve marital accord, I zip it.
What Americanisms and Britishisms bug you? Add yours to the comments below.
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As a Brit living in the US, I have to say that the “happy holidays” stuff annoys me terribly. I am 100% not Christian at all, but I am no more offended by people talking about Christmas than I am by people talking about Easter, or Hanukkah, or Thanksgiving. Christmas is a time of year which happens to have different significance for Christians, but it’s been the name of that time of year for ages and it’s ridiculous trying to change it. Soon we’ll be calling July “month seven” to avoid offending people from countries who were conquered by the Roman empire…
I am, however, very much with you on Longhorn steak.
What? The waiter SITS at your booth?
I’ve been away too long…
Ohhhh yeaaaaaaah. It’s an utterly horrifying trend in chain restaurants. Sort of reminds me of the pieces of flair in the movie Office Space. I wonder what overpriced management consulting firm came up with this stupid idea?
Diana – yes on my very first trip to the US (back in the early nineties), a lovely American lady asked to “visit with me”.
I was on a train and she had moved across to let me sit down, as there were few seats left available. I thanked her profusely (as one would) and she asked if I was English. I said yes and she asked if she could “visit with me”!
I had never heard the phrase before and for a moment seriously wondered if she was looking for a free holiday to England, just for letting me sit down!
But no, she was lovely, we had a chat and that was that. Scared me for a second, though!
Anna.
I think “visit with” someone is a southern expression.
I must say, when people say “Happy Holidays” with a completely fake and over- exaggerated smile, it really annoys me!
Also, when people say stuff like:
“Cut it out!” (Cut what out? I have no Scissors…)
“Give me a Break!” (Sure, five minutes)
“Quit It!” (No, I’m quite enjoying this…)
“Sheesh…!” (Why do you say this?)
“Oh my GOEEEEDDD!!!!” (Particular forced emphesis on the GOD).
Another thing which annoys me, (please, forgive me, I’m getting off the subject a bit here) BUT, it’s when Americans blame everything on communists, or when they call people communists just for being different… I’m sure that at least 70-90% of Americans don’t know what the word “communist” or “Communism” means… and I’m also sure that they couldn’t tell me why it’s so bad!
(I don’t like communism myself, I think the Idea of Communism is Good, however there is too much room for corruption in their line of work)