So Similar... yet... So Different

My struggles with the English version of English continues... in a good way.  I continue to learn and along the way I am beginning to see the patience of a Native Brit, who tolerates my English better then I regret to say, my own experiences with those who don't speak the American version in a phonetically correct way.  I chuckle at a recent conversation I had with a gentleman about this awakening that I have noticed.  This man is known as a salt of the earth person.  A real person... no bullshit... just tells it like it is.  He said, "You folk (Americans) make everything so correct with the way you talk, we just speak, we don't give a fuck."

I liked that a lot.  The fact is though, that as a British citizen he could say that and make fun of it.  I as a visitor to this country can't do that, so I continue to learn.  Like I mentioned with the last poem the English do indeed speak English.  And Americans speak American.

They are very similar but there are some very obvious differences... the subtle ones are the ones that cause the most confusion.

 

So similar yet so different

what?… huh?

Sorry… pardon

simple words that tell a story

english politeness

american midwest

perfectly normal at home

yet so out of place when away

thank you is rarely said

yet… cheers is constantly said

everyone is a mate

yet… on the street eye contact is not met

still not comfortable walking on the left

also waiting to be run over at a corner

look left first… the traffic isn’t behind it’s ahead

grocery stores are confusing

bounced around like a pinball

remember!!! The left!!!

from veggies a turn to fruits

leads to “I’m sorry”

bouncing into others

young and old alike enter at their own risk

need warning signs… need patience

need love… need some forgiveness

a new home and a new way

so similar… yet so different