should learn American or British pronunciation?

[meez]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

I'll give you a week to explain cricket.

By far not enough
However, I prefer BE accents (which includes SA accent)

[curmudgeon]

Whats the difference between American English and English American?
English is English - Don't get me started

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

Americans have already responded. In case you didn't get the e-mail, here is the beginning:

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Someone please advise Mr. Cleese that we will consider his porposals once the UK can provide ice cubes for soft drinks that are readily available and not tiny, underfed weird gray things. And once all public buildings and transport methods (including Tube stations, hotels, trains and buses) are barrier-free and accessible by folks of all levels of mobility. And maybe throw in free ketchup packets at McDonalds, and air-condition your shops (your humidity can be pretty stifling). And when your puny little petrol stations, very few of which are open 24 hours, much less on Sundays, can provide not only fuel but also free rest rooms, a selection of groceries, ice cold soft drinks and beer, made-to-order sandwiches and pizza, birth control devices and books on tape, as do our typical US gas stations, then we'll talk.

[curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Someone please advise Mr. Cleese that we will consider his porposals once the UK can provide ice cubes for soft drinks that are readily available and not tiny, underfed weird gray things. And once all public buildings and transport methods (including Tube stations, hotels, trains and buses) are barrier-free and accessible by folks of all levels of mobility. And maybe throw in free ketchup packets at McDonalds, and air-condition your shops (your humidity can be pretty stifling). And when your puny little petrol stations, very few of which are open 24 hours, much less on Sundays, can provide not only fuel but also free rest rooms, a selection of groceries, ice cold soft drinks and beer, made-to-order sandwiches and pizza, birth control devices and books on tape, as do our typical US gas stations, then we'll talk.

Which part of this green and pleasant land are you alluding to? At least we don't need to market elasticated Levi jeans and don't mind actually walking a few paces without the aid of an electric cart.
Fast-food culture serves up super-size Americans
Transport options for disabled people

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by curmudgeon

Which part of this green and pleasant land are you alluding to? At least we don't need to market elasticated Levi jeans and don't mind actually walking a few paces without the aid of an electric cart.
Fast-food culture serves up super-size Americans
Transport options for disabled people

I'll agree with you that American backsides are widening much more rapidly than those across the Atlantic. Although I'll never understand how some Brits that make a meal out of French fries (chip butties or just a huge order of chips with brown sauce) manage to stay so svelte. Must be all the walking they do, which we Americans really need to do more of. Unfortunately, many areas of the US are very spread out and lack public transport, so a car is the only way to get around. And riding in your car plus sitting at your desk plus shorter lunch periods equals grabbing fast food though the drive through and it all ends up in the midsection. But you are correct, the US is becoming quite the tubby and lazy nation.

However, regarding the handicapped access thing....for many years I ventured over to the UK for a convention in Southport, and one of my traveling companions was somewhat disabled (birth defects, arthritis, etc.) She could walk unaided, albeit at a very slow pace, but stairs were extremely difficult for her, and I lost count at the number of places where I actually had to half-carry her up the stairs at train stations, hotels and shops because there were no elevators. Not to mention having to lift her up onto buses and British Rail trains and getting yelled at by employees because we were holding things up. In the US, public transport by law must have wheelchair lifts and other accoutrements for the handicapped. I'm blessed in that I've never had to make use of those facilities myself, but I've seen first-hand how they can allow a wheel-chair bound person the freedom to live and travel unaided.

When all is said and done, I must admit that one thing the US has done "right" (and there are many things we've done wrong) is the Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides for a barrier-free environment, which means that public buildings are fully accessible by folks in wheelchairs. That means ramps at the entrances as well as handicapped stalls in public restrooms and pay phones at wheelchair level. It also ensures such things as Braille in elevators and on ATM machines for the blind, and TTY telephone access at public rest stops for the deaf.

Now, can you kindly explain what the British have against cold drinks? Why is beer served at room temperature, and canned pop stored on a shelf and not in a refrigerator? And what about the ice shortage....?

[curmudgeon]

Now your clutching at straws We have everything that you have. Regarding beer at room temperature. Thats the way its supposed to be.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Ouisch

Someone please advise Mr. Cleese that we will consider his porposals once the UK can provide ice cubes for soft drinks that are readily available and not tiny, underfed weird gray things. And once all public buildings and transport methods (including Tube stations, hotels, trains and buses) are barrier-free and accessible by folks of all levels of mobility. And maybe throw in free ketchup packets at McDonalds, and air-condition your shops (your humidity can be pretty stifling). And when your puny little petrol stations, very few of which are open 24 hours, much less on Sundays, can provide not only fuel but also free rest rooms, a selection of groceries, ice cold soft drinks and beer, made-to-order sandwiches and pizza, birth control devices and books on tape, as do our typical US gas stations, then we'll talk.

[Tdol]

But other than that, everything's great about the UK, then?

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Tdol

But other than that, everything's great about the UK, then?

I especially like the full English breakfast. It has a calorie and grease content that would make McDonald's proud. Still, you could order in a few more ice cubes.

[curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

I especially like the full English breakfast. It has a calorie and grease content that would make McDonald's proud. Still, you could order in a few more ice cubes.

You should try the scots or irish versions