It was explained to me by a British friend a long time ago that when Americans say “Excuse me” or “Pardon me”, and if a Brit were to hear this, that it’d be taken as though someone belched or passed gas.
Personal Space: In the U.S., if one had to walk in front of shopper in a store, one would probably say “excuse me” as they walked between the shopper and the products on the shelves. Or if someone bumped into someone else, they’d probably say ‘‘excuse me.’’
Interupting a convo or asking speaker to repeat: In the U.S., if one had trouble understanding someone, they might say “pardon Me” or, more informally, “excuse me”.
I remember a British friend explaining that he always thought Americans were belching or passing gas frequently, until he disovered that we were using these expressions differently. He thought it was a riot that we belched and farted so often and at such odd times.
So, how would one use British in the above examples, if saying “excuse me” or “pardon me” implies that one has belched or passed gas? What would one say in British if one interupted a conversation, needed someone to repeat themselves or bumped into someone else?
“Excuse me” is fine for interrupting a conversation, or attracting someones attention. I’d use “Sorry, I didn’t catch that” for a repetition request, and “Sorry” for bumping into someone. Actually, most British people will also say “Sorry” if someone bumps into them.
You’re correct that “Pardon Me” is mostly used for belches and stuff.
“Excuse me”. It’s crazy to suggest that because of one usage, it’s impossible for a phrase to have others - the context makes it completely clear. The phrase can also mean “I beg your pardon?”, be used as an apology for leaving a table/conversation/etc temporarily or having to answer a phone in company, and so on.
One of the most useful words for a visitor to Britain is this: “Sorry.”
Just clouted someone across the head with your briefcase? “Sorry!”
Need to push past someone? “Sorry!”
Need to check if you’re on the right train? “Sorry, does this go to Basingstoke?”
Want to sit down? “Sorry, is this seat taken?”
Trodden on someone’s toes? No need for a “Sorry” here, as chances are the person you’ve just crippled will proffer a “Sorry” of their own - it’s instinctive!
That’s actually a cool concept for a pop sociology book, especially if it covered misconceptions from all directions (not just from a U.S. perspective).
Bah! What sort of whinger goes about doing that? Just bottle it all up behind the stiff upper lip, that’s how it’s done.
And over here I think Grey Poupon is sold mainly on the basis of its authenic french gastronomic background. It even has the colours of the French flag on the lid.
Oh dear.
I think this is when class can become a factor in the UK.
In some circles (i.e. the genuinely posh) “pardon” is seen as horribly vulgar (the way that “toilet” is seen as vulgar, but “lavatory” is acceptable).
If one doesn’t understand “What?” is considered the appropriate way to ask someone to repeat themselves. In those circles, the only proper way to deal with passing wind is to completely ignore it.
The upper class wonders why everyone else thinks they’re rude.
until someone on this board explained…