Boosting my morale ...

[ChrisGreaves]

This is nowhere near Bob's Brag, but at least I feel good about it ...

I walked out of Bruno's clutching my pizza onion yesterday; saw a lady about my age sitting on the wooden bench in the lobby.
We smiled at each other, so I stopped and said "I think I know you!".
She: Yes, and I know you.
Me: Do you live in that building? (pointing to my building, across the street)
She: No.
Me: You go to Bloordale united Church?
She: (brightly) Yes, but I've forgotten your name.
Me: It's Chris Greaves.
She: Oh Yes! I'm sorry I forgot your name, but I haven't forgotten what you taught us.
Me: Taught you? About what?
She: That every English word that ends in "tion" is the same in French & Spanish, and that it's always feminine gender.

Like I say, nowhere near Bob's league, but it's nice to know I had a memorable impact.

I near as dammit invited her home for supper; but it was only pizza, and I had only the one onion ...

[HansV]

I thought those words ended in "ción " in Spanish: nación, emoción, ...

(And "abduction" is "secuestro"...)

[ChrisGreaves]

I thought those words ended in "ción " in Spanish: nación, emoción, ... (And "abduction" is "secuestro"...)

Well, yes, but ...
If you were parachuted, on a work-contract, into Paris speaking no French, or abducted into Spain speaking no Spanish, you could get along quite well with the "tion" words.

Not forgetting that in any foreign-language country, including all the English-speaking countries the natives with their command of the host language are quite accommodating in understanding one's crude efforts to find transportation, or the station, or places of education ...).
I have in the past resorted to finding the English word in my pocket dictionary and pointing to it. The native ignores the English word, examines the "foreign" word, and brightens up with understanding my needs ...

P.S. A great way to meet people in Pittsburgh is to stand on any street corner downtown holding a map open in front of one.

[PaulB]

P.S. A great way to meet people in Pittsburgh is to stand on any street corner downtown holding a map open in front of one.

Tried that in Baltimore once. The three people that approached me each wanted to know if I was looking for a date.

[ChrisGreaves]

The three people that approached me each wanted to know if I was looking for a date.

Was one of them mid-sixties, balding, about 5'6" with a mish-mash of Canadian/UK/Aussie accents?

[PaulB]

No, Chris, they were all of the female persuasion, although one did have a pronounced five o'clock shadow.

[viking33]

P.S. A great way to meet people in Pittsburgh is to stand on any street corner downtown holding a map open in front of one.
---------------
Also a great way to get mugged or propositioned.

[ChrisGreaves]

Also a great way to get mugged or propositioned.

I see the , Bob, so I think/hope you're joking.

My impression of Pittsburgh was a cruddy atmospheric mistake, that impression based on countless movies, photos etc.

When I arrived for my first visit circa 1987 I was amazed at the beauty.

The city seemed to be covered in trees and greenery. I rode the light-rail and the underground.
I spent a pleasant couple of hours around 10 a.m. on a weekday hovering around downtown, innocently asking for directions to the station (I knew where it was having just walked from there), and fighting off the well-meaning residents who insisted on walking me back there to make sure I didn't get lost again.

Of course back then I still had a strong Aussie accent.
Maybe with today's accent they'd not be so friendly.

[viking33]

Chris,
I do have to admit that Pittsburgh has improved it's image greatly from the first impression you had. Yet still.....? Of course, I'm not a city lover at all, no matter where.

[ChrisGreaves]

I'm not a city lover at all, no matter where.

I didn't used to be, growing up as i did 9Lancs & WA) in the country, but if I have to live in a city I'd like it to be a green one.
Like Toronto.
Or Pittsburgh.

Or a hot-dry one like Tuscon or Phoenix.

Or one identical to Perth WA, like San Diego.