Its funny, when you live in or visit another English speaking country you assume that everyone will understand you and you will understand everyone.
Not the case.
Be prepared to repeat yourself many times to guides, locals and waiters while you are in America. A simple request for 'water' can bring looks of confusion... remember its wateR (RRR)!
So try not to ask where the toilets are...ask for the restrooms. Don't ask for a serviette or the bin, ask for a napkin or the trash can.
I warn you only because this has taken me by surprise. I get may blank looks from people when I think I am being perfectly clear! When I say that someone is 'happy as Larry', the response is 'who's Larry?', and as for 'right as rain'...."how is rain right?" is what I get asked...
There is no 'filter coffee, its 'drip coffee', a black coffee is an Americano, you will be asked if you want cream and sugar (cream may be actual cream, full cream milk or what is called 'half and half' which is a blend of the two)....
Biscuits are called 'cookies' (Biscuits here are a type of scone), sweets are 'candy' and a fizzy drink is a 'soda'.
Its a drop in an ocean...there are many language differences that will amuse and perhaps frustrate you... its all part of the experience!
I am looking forward to mingling with the locals to have the full experience of language differences :) It really does sound amusing.
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