Language Points 7 EXercise. a couple of years ago came to Washington with some French journalists. As our bus passed a health club on the way to the hotel, the French visitors cheered at the sight of body-conscious Americans bending, stretching and leaping around. America's obsession with physical fitness really amuses -and puzzles Europeans 8 First names. In Europe, people progress in a natural and orderly way from the use of last names to the use of first names. Here, it's first names at first sight. This can cause confusion for Europeans. With everyone on a first-name basis, how can you tell your acquaintances from your friends?
7 Exercise. A couple of years ago I came to Washington with some French journalists. As our bus passed a health club on the way to the hotel, the French visitors cheered at the sight of body-conscious Americans bending, stretching and leaping around. America's obsession with physical fitness really amuses — and puzzles — Europeans. 8 First names. In Europe, people progress in a natural and orderly way from the use of last names to the use of first names. Here, it’s first names at first sight. This can cause confusion for Europeans. With everyone on a first-name basis, how can you tell your acquaintances from your friends? Language Points
Language Points 9 Gadgets. These can be addictive It's difficult to imagine now how we survived for so long without automatic ice machines and microwave ovens 10 Hardware Stores. If I were in charge of arranging the programs of visiting delegations from less-developed countries, Id include a compulsory visit to a hardware store. These temples of American capitalism reveal a whole range of American values, from the do-it- yourself pioneer spirit through a love of comfort that absolutely astonishes most foreigners
Language Points 9 Gadgets. These can be addictive. It’s difficult to imagine now how we survived for so long without automatic ice machines and microwave ovens. 10 Hardware Stores. If I were in charge of arranging the programs of visiting delegations from less-developed countries, I’d include a compulsory visit to a hardware store. These temples of American capitalism reveal a whole range of American values, from the do-ityourself pioneer spirit through a love of comfort that absolutely astonishes most foreigners
Language Points 11 Insurance. Americans have policies to cover every possible risk, no matter how remote. So far, we've refused supplementary insurance for our car radio death insurance for our mortgage and accident insurance for our cat. It gives us a feeling of living dangerously 12 Junk food. Anyone who wants to understand why Americans suffer from higher rates of cancer and heart disease only has to look at what they eat 13 Ketchup I had to come to america to discover that it can be eaten with anything-from French fries to French cheese
11 Insurance. Americans have policies to cover every possible risk, no matter how remote. So far, we’ve refused supplementary insurance for our car radio, death insurance for our mortgage and accident insurance for our cat. It gives us a feeling of living dangerously. 12 Junk food. Anyone who wants to understand why Americans suffer from higher rates of cancer and heart disease only has to look at what they eat. 13 Ketchup. I had to come to America to discover that it can be eaten with anything — from French fries to French cheese. Language Points
Language Points 14 Lines. American lines beginning with the yellow line at immigration control are the most orderly in the world. The British queue, once internationally renowned, has begun to decay in recent years. The French queue was never very impressive, and the italian line is simply a mob 15 Money. In Europe, everybody likes money, but no one shows it off Unless it's been in the family for several generations, there's often an assumption that it was acquired dishonestly. In America, no one cares how you got it
14 Lines. American lines — beginning with the yellow line at immigration control — are the most orderly in the world. The British queue, once internationally renowned, has begun to decay in recent years. The French queue was never very impressive, and the Italian line is simply a mob. 15 Money. In Europe, everybody likes money, but no one shows it off. Unless it’s been in the family for several generations, there’s often an assumption that it was acquired dishonestly. In America, no one cares how you got it. Language Points
Language Points 16 No smoking. No longer just a polite request in America, this phrase has become the law. Nobody would dare ask a Frenchman to put out his galois in a restaurant 17 oliver North. What other major Western democracy lets army officers take over foreign policy a hero for some, a traitor for others Ollie(see First Names)is an example of an American recklessness that awes and alarms europeans 18 Patriots. They exist everywhere, of course, but the American version is louder and more self-conscious than the European. In Britain, it's taken for granted that politicians love their country. Here, they re expected to prove it
16 No smoking. No longer just a polite request in America, this phrase has become the law. Nobody would dare ask a Frenchman to put out his Galoise in a restaurant. 17 Oliver North. What other major Western democracy lets army officers take over foreign policy? A hero for some, a traitor for others, Ollie (see First Names) is an example of an American recklessness that awes and alarms Europeans. 18 Patriots. They exist everywhere, of course, but the American version is louder and more self-conscious than the European. In Britain, it's taken for granted that politicians love their country. Here, they're expected to prove it. Language Points