• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

How to confuse a foreigner RE: Supermarkets

HAL9000

HAL9000

Lifer
I was in America recently talking to a couple of people, I said I was looking for a supermarket and in some places people could not understand what I was saying, one guy tried telling me they don't sell soup but I can get some next door!

So is it uncommon in America?

P.S. This is NOT An America vs UK thread, nor is it an American English vs English thread. if you want to complain about someones country or language please take it elsewhere I'm not interested.
 
I usually just say 'grocery store', but supermarket works and I would assume most people know what it is as long as they could understand what you said.
 
HAL9000 said:
I was in America recently talking to a couple of people, I said I was looking for a supermarket and in some places people could not understand what I was saying, one guy tried telling me they don't sell soup but I can get some next door!

So is it uncommon in America?

P.S. This is NOT An America vs UK thread, nor is it an American English vs English thread. if you want to complain about someones country or language please take it elsewhere I'm not interested.
Click to expand...
He was being silly. Of course he knew what a supermarket was, although i think maybe we use the term grocery store more.
 
The confusion probably lies in the fact that other than specialty stores and farmers markets, there are no grocery stores left. They are all supermarkets.
 
moshquerade said:
He was being silly. Of course he knew what a supermarket was, although i think maybe we use the term grocery store more.
Click to expand...

Ahh good point the man did seem genuinely confused perhaps I had snagged my self a simpleton.

MagnusTheBrewer said:
The confusion probably lies in the fact that other than specialty stores and farmers markets, there are no grocery stores left. They are all supermarkets.
Click to expand...

I was told this but I couldn't find anywhere to buy fresh vegetables (I was in downtown Houston)
 
I've been all over the country and everybody knows what a supermarket is. It's also known as a grocery store, but supermarket is very common.
 
HAL9000 said:
Ahh good point the man did seem genuinely confused perhaps I had snagged my self a simpleton.



I was told this but I couldn't find anywhere to buy fresh vegetables (I was in downtown Houston)
Click to expand...

i think phoenicia just opened down there a couple months ago. it's a specialty market more than a general supermarket (no dry goods, iirc). nearest supermarket is south of downtown, a randall's. there's also spec's just south of downtown, another specialty market (it's a liquor store with a very large food selection).
 
ElFenix said:
i think phoenicia just opened down there a couple months ago. it's a specialty market more than a general supermarket (no dry goods, iirc). nearest supermarket is south of downtown, a randall's. there's also spec's just south of downtown, another specialty market (it's a liquor store with a very large food selection).
Click to expand...

There was supposed to be a randalls, but I followed my iPhone to google earths location for it, and it was a building site, I asked someone who said "it's over there" then looked and said "oh"... I laughed.
 
Next time I see an obviously out-of-place Brit, remind me to start pretending like I don't understand incredibly common words.
 
I thought that word went out with the 80s? It sounds like something Heathcliff Huxtable would say. Hogies from the supermarket!
 
rcpratt said:
Next time I see an obviously out-of-place Brit, remind me to start pretending like I don't understand incredibly common words.
Click to expand...

If possible go one further and say things like "Oh I see what you mean no over here we call carrots "orange sticks" or something like that, it will cause most amusement for both of you.

RedRooster said:
I thought that word went out with the 80s? It sounds like something Heathcliff Huxtable would say. Hogies from the supermarket!
Click to expand...

Not so over here.
 
HAL9000 said:
If possible go one further and say things like "Oh I see what you mean no over here we call carrots "orange sticks" or something like that, it will cause most amusement for both of you.



Not so over here.
Click to expand...

I was eating some flurpy-durpy flim flam willy wizzits the just earlier today.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top