On the petrol

[Intoarut]

"It's a great car, although it's a bit expensive on the petrol."

How can you explain that phrase?

"It's a great car, although it runs on expensive petrol" roll:??)

 

[SoothingDave]

No, it means the car uses a lot of gasoline. It's miles per gallon is low, as Americans would put it. I think Europeans measure liters per 100 km, in which case the number would be high for this car.

It's "fuel economy" is poor.

 

[allenman]

It's "fuel economy" is poor.

Its "fuel economy"...

Oh sorry, you're native
It's = It is, it has

 

[sunsunmoon]

Would Americans say "...it's a bit expensive on the gas"?

 

[Rover_KE]

I think Europeans measure liters per 100 km

In the UK we say miles per gallon, though we have to buy our petrol by the litre.

Rover

 

[AlexAD]

In the UK we say miles per gallon, though we have to buy our petrol by the litre.

Rover

To the best of my knowledge the UK has never been considered as a part of Europe. Great politician of the UK, Winston Churchill said, 'We are with Europe but not of it'.

 

[bhaisahab]

To the best of my knowledge the UK has never been considered as a part of Europe. Great politician of the UK, Winston Churchill said, 'We are with Europe but not of it'.

Whatever W. Churchill said the UK is geographically part of Europe, and since 1970 is part of the European Union.

 

[AlexAD]

Whatever W. Churchill said the UK is geographically part of Europe, and since 1970 is part of the European Union.

Yes, you're quite right. But you're still out of EU zone and that tells its own story (here I mean the UK didn't replace their currency with the euro).

 

[riquecohen]

Would Americans say "...it's a bit expensive on the gas"?

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, you're quite right. But you're still out of EU zone and that tells its own story (here I mean the UK didn't replace their currency with the euro).

We're not in the Euro Zone, that's correct. We retained our currency. But it is specifically called the EURO Zone, not the EU Zone. There is a big difference between the Euro and the EU.

 

[SoothingDave]

I would like to note that when Americans talk of the UK and note our similarities in language, culture, constitutional and common law, entrepreneurial spirit, etc. and contrast that with "Europe" the intention is to compliment, not insult.

 

[nyota]

I would like to note that when Americans talk of the UK and note our similarities in language, culture, constitutional and common law, entrepreneurial spirit, etc. and contrast that with "Europe" the intention is to compliment, not insult.

A-ha! So now the rest of Europe should feel insulted! *going sulky and stomping her foot* :bad-word: ;-)

 

[emsr2d2]

A-ha! So now the rest of Europe should feel insulted! *going sulky and stomping her foot* :bad-word: ;-)

In addition, and without meaning any offence whatsoever, most people think of Europe as being Continental Europe. Poland would be considered part of Eastern Europe, old-fashioned though that may be.

 

[nyota]

In addition, and without meaning any offence whatsoever, most people think of Europe as being Continental Europe. Poland would be considered part of Eastern Europe, old-fashioned though that may be.

*Looks around* France! Anybody from France to go sulky instead? That will at least tease the English ;-)

Eastern or not, still Europe. I know what you mean though.

 

[5jj]

In addition, and without meaning any offence whatsoever, most people think of Europe as being Continental Europe. Poland would be considered part of Eastern Europe, old-fashioned though that may be.

I, and most of the British people I know, do think of Britain as being in Europe - and we think of Poland, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, etc as being Central Europe.

However, I have to admit that I am probably not typical of British people, as I have lived and worked in Central Europe for a total of nearly twenty years. Most of the British people I now know have lived and worked in mainland Europe for some time.