Archive for North America
(by Roy Jacobsen*, with kind permission from Elaine Swift’s Word Alchemy blog)
One of best travel tips I can give anyone is to make an effort with the local language; you’ll be amazed at how much it’s appreciated.
As you will see, the US is no exception. This post first appeared in copywriter Elaine Swift’s Word Alchemy blog and looks at the differences in our common language.
As well as bringing a smile to your face this Monday morning, it may help you avoid a potentially embarrassing conversation during your travels to the US!
The first time I ended up on Elaine’s blog, I found myself giggling about her article “A few little words - why straplines matter.” I knew immediately from the context what she was talking about, but for this American reader, straplines are what show up on a woman’s sun-tanned shoulders. So straplines matter here, as well; just not for the same reasons.
England and America are indeed “separated by a common language.”
My first work-related exposure to the differences between American and British English came when I was a technical writer for an accounting software company. Because our product was sold in English-speaking countries worldwide, we had to accommodate spelling differences, such as check vs. cheque, and the -ize vs. -ise words (economize/economise, recognize/recognise).
Those differences can be jarring at first. But, like a pianist, you can learn to “transpose.”
The real fun comes when you encounter concepts that have entirely different words, or words that mean entirely different things, depending on which side of the pond you’re on. I’ve known for years that a car’s hood is a bonnet in England, and our wrenches are your spanners. And thanks to the Harry Potter books I know all about jumpers (sweaters), skiving off (playing hooky), and that delightful verb, snog, which sounds like more fun than making out.
Some of the differences are just confusing, like talking about that scrappy player on the football team. In the U.S., that’s a compliment; in the U.K., not so much. Asking for a sherbet will get you two different things, and suggesting that something be tabled in a meeting has the opposite result, depending on where you say it.
Then there are the words that can lead to embarrassment. We Americans shouldn’t ask for help with our bangs from a British hair stylist (they’re fringes, if you please) just as you shouldn’t tell your American friends that you’ll knock them up in the morning, or ask if you can borrow a rubber.
But despite the potential for confusion, unintentional humor, and downright embarrassment, I wouldn’t want to see our two “languages” become homogenized. Eliminating the differences would make things as dull as dishwater.
Sorry. Make that ditchwater.
* Roy Jacobsen says that everyone can learn to write clearly and powerfully. He’s a freelance writer, editor, and writing coach, and the dictionary is his toy box. Roy blogs at Writing, Clear and Simple
Filed under: Destinations, North America, Travel Tips | Language, USA|No Comments
Only 4 more weeks to go before Virgin Atlantic’s 25th birthday and their special fares continue this week with London to Chicago return from £279.
The terms are:
- Applies to departure dates of 1 Sept 09 - 30 Nov 09
- Includes all taxes, fees and surcharges
- Additional credit card charges and weekend travel supplements apply
- Book from 28 May to 10pm on 3 June 09
The good news is that Autumn is still a good time to visit Chicago. As the birthplace to the modern skyscraper, take in the architecture, catch a baseball game or just chill out on the Lakefront. Visit Virgin Atlantic’s website for more details of this week’s offer.
Filed under: Destinations, North America | London to Chicago Flight Offer, Virgin Atlantic Offer of the Week|No Comments
Virgin Atlantic announced their 5th week of special fares today (as part of their 25th birthday promotions).
This week the offer is London to CHICAGO return from £250.
The terms are:
- Applies to departure dates of 26 - 31 Mar 09, 01 - 03 Apr 09 and 08 Apr - 31 May 09
- Includes all taxes, fees and surcharges
- Additional credit card charges and weekend travel supplements apply
- Book from 26 March to 10pm on 1 April 09
Visit their website for more details and more news of their weekly offers.
Filed under: Destinations, North America, Travel News | Virgin Atlantic Offer of the Week|No Comments
So last week was a sale fare for London to Hong Kong return from £325.
This week the offer is London to Boston return from £250.
The terms are:
- Applies to departure dates of 12 Mar - 01 Apr 09 and 09 Apr - 31 May 09
- Includes all taxes, fees and surcharges
- Additional credit card charges and weekend travel supplements apply
- Book from 12 March to 10pm on 18 March 09
As part of their 25th birthday promotions, Virgin Atlantic are offering a different sale fare each week until the big birthday on 22nd June. Check their website for regular updates.
If you decide to go and need help planning your trip, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help.
Filed under: North America, Travel News | Virgin Atlantic Offer of the Week|No Comments
Virgin Atlantic’s “Offer of the Week” is a Sale Fare from £225 for London to New York return.
I know I talked about Virgin only yesterday (Virgin Atlantic launches Round the World ticket), but I think this is a great deal. The terms are:
- Applies to departure dates of 26 Feb - 02 Apr 09 and 10 Apr - 31 May 09
- Includes all taxes, fees and surcharges
- Additional credit card charges and weekend travel supplements apply
- Book from 26 February to 10pm on 04 March 09
This offer is part of Virgin’s 25th birthday promotions. There’s a different offer each week until the big birthday on 22nd June. Check their website for regular updates.
If you decide to go and need help planning your trip, please feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to help.
Filed under: Destinations, North America, Saving Money on 2009 Holidays, Travel Tips | New York, New York flight offer, Saving Money on 2009 Holidays, Virgin Atlantic|No Comments
Did you know that if you are visiting the US from a country which does not need visas, you will now need to fill in an electronic form at least 72 hours before you travel?
Britain is one of the countries that signed up to the Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which allows most British Citizen passport holders to visit for up to 90 days without a visa. However, as from 12 January 2009, new rules apply.
UK travellers to the US will require an authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the US. The new online registration scheme replaces the green I-94 forms that people on short term visits to the US had to fill in on the flight and hand to customs on arrival.
Those who have not registered risk being detained and sent back home.
Travellers can register for authorisation online through the ESTA website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and are advised to do so at least 72 hours prior to travel.
Once an application is approved, it will be generally valid for all visits to the US for a two-year period, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
For more information, see also:
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/dhs/esta_info.html
http://www.fco.gov.uk/
Filed under: Destinations, North America, Travel News, Travel Tips | USA Travel Rules|No Comments
A city break in Washington DC could be on the cards for many people this year, as the world’s eyes turn to Washington today to see Barack Obama sworn in as America’s 44th president.
There’s nothing better to boost tourism than an inauguration and hundreds of thousands of visitors have been arriving in Washington in recent days. It’s a COLD day though - subfreezing temperatures - but that won’t deter the huge crowds packing Washington’s National Mall as Mr Obama takes the oath of office.
Washington DC is a place I still have to visit, but, as a city break destination, it seems to have a lot going for it. As well as a tour of the White House and the halls and chambers of the US Capitol Building, there are historic buildings, arts and science museums, parks, and recreational sites which would interest young and old alike. For families, the National Museum of Natural History, with hands-on exhibits for children, sounds great, as does the International Spy Museum.
The best time to go seems be spring and autumn, avoiding the hot and humid weather in Summer. Getting into the museums and taking in the sights will be easier in early to mid September as most of the summer crowds have thinned out. However, if you are interested in seeing the government in action, make sure to visit when Congress is in session.
A quick search today shows prices from £279 for a return flight to Washington from London, leaving in early September, with Virgin Atlantic.
Have you been to Washington before? Share your Washington experience with us at Your Travel Planner by posting a comment.
Filed under: Destinations, North America | city break Washington DC, family travel ideas, Your Travel Planner|No Comments
Today’s headlines lead with the plane that crash-landed in New York’s Hudson River yesterday and the pilot of the US Airways Airbus A320 is being hailed as a hero.
Much deserved too. I watched the pictures of the rescue of all 155 passengers, standing on the wings or in the water, with horror and awe, but also with an overwhelming sense of relief and incredulity that the pilot had managed to land the aircraft safely on the water and that there are no major injuries.
Having read about Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger III and you had to choose someone to crash-land your plane, he’d definitely be one of the pilots at the top of your list. Capt Sullenberger, 57, is a former US Air Force fighter pilot, has over 40 years of flying experience and has also served as the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) safety chairman and accident investigator. Oh, and he also heads his own safety consulting business.
Talk about the right pilot at the right time…
Filed under: Destinations, North America, Travel News | Captain Chesley Sullenberger, New York plane crash, US Airways Airbus 320|No Comments
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