An Englishman in New York

If you read my earlier post, you'll know I've just been to the cool city of New York! When you go to the US, it certainly helps if you speak English well. Just make sure it's the right English.

On my previous trip to the US, I'd found that some Americans have difficulties understanding British accents and British English. So this time, I made a special effort when speaking to people. I asked for directions to the subway, not the Tube. I asked from which track - not platform - the train for Washington left. I ordered a chocolate-chip cookie, not a biscuit. I bought a coffee to go, not to take away. This extra effort worked a charm for several days.

That was until day four. That morning, I walked into a supermarket and was left wondering if I was unconsciously speaking German or was dealing with crazy people, or possibly both! Here's what happened during a conversation between a shop assistant (SA), me (TS) and another customer (AC) who came to my rescue.

TS: Excuse me. I was wondering if you sell fresh bagels.
SA: I'm sorry?
TS: Fresh bagels. Do you sell fresh bagels?
SA: Ah yes, the fresh mangos are in the fruit-and-vegetable section, behind you to your right.
TS: Er, no. Not mangos. I'm looking for fresh bagels. B-A-G-E-L-S.
SA: Excuse me?
AC: The guy's looking for bagels.
SA: Oh, BAGELS. I'm sorry sir, we don't have fresh bagels.

Did I really pronounce the word "bagel" in a way that sounded like "mango"? The other customer understood what I was saying, but who knows - maybe she was a trained interpreter on a mission to assist helpless British people in New York. Good job she was there to help! I wanted a toasted bagel for breakfast – not a toasted mango.

Frustrated, I left the store and found a café. I was delighted to see that they sold fresh bagels. I was getting hungry after all! I approached the bagel guy (BG) at the counter.

TS: Good morning. I'll take two toasted sesame bagels with butter please.
BG: Excuse me?
TS: Two sesame bagels, toasted, with butter.
BG: Toasted with what?
TS: With butter. B-U-T-T-E-R.

The bagel guy toasted my bagels, but then turned back to me, confused.

BG: I'm sorry, what do you want on your bagel?
TS: Butter.
BG: "Buder"?
TS: Yes, butter.
BG: This stuff? (holds up a tub of "buder")
TS: Yes.
BG: Aaah, ok. Looks like we pronounce "buder" different.
TS: Yes, it certainly does.

I was amazed. But after all that hard work, at least I finally had what I wanted – and tucked into my yummy toasted "buder" bagels.