Americans can't use telephones! Every day on this job, I bless my late mum for forcing me to learn telephone etiquite in the second grade! Often, instead of saying "hello" like normal people, the person on the other end will respond, "What?" or "Who is this?" I hate to say this, but cultrually, I find our manners a bit..embarrasing, in America, sometimes. Really, it amazes me. I forgot how many people in this country, can't do a simple thing like answer a phone civially....I'd like to strap them in a chair and make them watch Hyacynth Bucket from Keeping up Appearences..."The bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking..." that's great...I've been tempted to try that myself, sometimes..."the G______ residence, the lady of the house speaking..." in my best upper crust shrill voice, ha-ha.

..I did have some busy-sounding lady answer her phone today..."grand central station." (an American slang term--when a home or business is busy, we say, "it's like Grand Central (railroad) Station in here!" Anyway, I found that amusing.