Man! If ever there was a life times work it’s in understanding what the heck they’re saying but not speaking… It’s a friggin science.
Anyway, after at least two decades of stumbling around and being so outwitted that, in comparison, the Little Big Horn looked a draw, I think I’ve got the rudiments sorted.
Except one thing: I’ve never understood the significance of the purse on the table during dinner thing…it’s saying something but quite what, I have no bloody idea.
C’mom girlie’s, put me out of my misery. What’s it about ?
It says you’ve been taking your dates to such dives, they have to keep an eye on their valuables. What’s the big mystrery?
-Rue. (who really has no clue. About the purse thing either.)
I carry a very small purse with no strap, and I also have a horrible habit of losing things. When I’m out to dinner, I keep my purse actually in my lap, on the floor out of the way so I can see it when I begin to frantically wonder “where’d I put my purse?!”, or I set it at an empty chair on the table.
It means nothing except that my table manners aren’t what they should be.
The significance? She doesn’t want to hang it on the back of the chair, where it can be either knocked off onto the floor or snagged by passersby, and she doesn’t want to put it on the floor because the floor is dirty and yucky, and she doesn’t want to hold it in her lap.
You’re trying to read way too much into this one, pal.
I hang it on my knee so it’s out of the way. I keep pretty important stuff in it so won’t put it on the floor where it might get stepped on and would never leave it where I can’t see it (like the back of a chair).
The thought of someone walking off with: my wallet, cel phone, checkbook, medications, fountain pens, change, cash, business cards, etc. is pretty disturbing. (The pens alone are worth better than $100.00)
Men don’t usually carry ‘purses’ in England, handy, they have ‘wallets’. Women have purses (typically pretty small) containing essential make-up kit and, maybe, cash. Next size up on this girlie scale is the small ‘hand bag’ – I think…probably a terminology thing…
** Feynn** – Well, that’s nice. I think you might call it a ‘case’ or something if English…but what the hey…
Well, having noted it a long time ago and giving up on understanding (as you do…), I was reminded of the purse-table thing again last night while watching this:
that takes hopeless cases (mummy’s boy, Neanderthal guy, non-girlie geezer birds, etc.) and try’s to turn them into good dates with a little expert help. Just a bit of fun really.
The girl was at the end of her ‘re-education’ and on a date. The experts were watching on hidden camera’s and…they all went whoooooaaaa when she put her purse on the damn table and carried on making a deal of it. Just reminded me…
Perhaps it means something here but not there…‘two nations divided by a common girlie language’ ?? – how the hell do I know…
in case my phone rings and i want it close at hand.
or…
ominously…
to make it look like i just got there, and casually sat down…and thus am about to get up and leave just as casually…
basically an “i’m not really with this guy” kind of gesture.
Purse on table: I can’t wait to leave this dump and rid myself of you. Take the hint Sherlock. My purse is on the table I want to go!
Makes you hold purse: Yes you’re Mommy’s good little sissy boy aren’t you? Now pay the bill while I look around and see if there are any real men around here I want to go home with.
Purse on seat: Must keep my purse close in these dives Mr. “Big Spender” keeps taking me too.
Purse in lap: Please God let this date be over. Please GOD let it be over now!
Purse in hand: If he gets one millimeter closer… WHACK!