Conference Call Etiquette

luvtolean · 11-15-2005, 1:46 PM

Oh man, I just heard a great cultural faux paux, and figured our UK contingent would appreciate this.

Was on a con-call with a gent from the UK, his boss, and some other players that aren't important.

We were looking for a cell phone to tear down and the Brit remarked he'd just found one on e-bay for "15 quid".

Now a bit of history, we've all worked together for about 5 years. The Brit is proud of being British, and I think goes out of his way to be a bit of an eccentric. His boss is an American. Nice guy, but just not very well traveled, he hates it and avoids it at all costs. Also from the midwest.

So, with that background, boss answers, "What's a quid?"

A quick uncomfortable silence (with me chuckling a bit), and trying to save him from his underling quickly I say, "it's a pound".

"Well, you know it's confusing with the Euro, what are you guys doing with the euro over there...you know it's..."

LTL to himself: (Oh ****, I tried but here we go.

)

Brit (interrupting): "What the **** man?!"

Now, I'm laughing my ass off.

"Er...Well, when I was in Germany they were forcing those things on me...."

"I ain't in ****in' Germany now am I?"

I can't make it as funny as it truly was, but I think a few will appreciate it.

phobiaphobe · 11-15-2005, 2:04 PM

HA! The clients I deal with are expected to drop 7 or 8 F-Bombs every sentence... It would be odd if they didn't.

luvtolean · 11-15-2005, 2:07 PM

Very rare for us unless it's a customer with their line down, or a salesguy ready to lose his job.

Since he's a "prim and proper" Brit, it made it even more entertaining.

BizJetGuy · 11-15-2005, 2:10 PM

And I had a Canadian try to tell me last week that the F-bomb was an American thing. To which I responded...

Phuck off

CBR929RE · 11-15-2005, 3:22 PM

reminds of me Snatch

"**** off you bloody wanker"

phobiaphobe · 11-15-2005, 3:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BizJetGuy

And I had a Canadian try to tell me last week that the F-bomb was an American thing. To which I responded...

Phuck off

I guess he hasn't worked in oil and god damned gas. ****ing stunned ****.

sheepofblue · 11-15-2005, 3:35 PM

Would have been better if he had asked a mate to borrow his rubber for a second

oldfogey · 11-16-2005, 8:53 AM

Thanks, L2L, good story.

"Limeys" can be equally ignorant about the rest of Europe or the US: Brits often assume Norway is part of the EU or Sweden uses the Euro. I think swearing is probably more common in everyday life here than in the US. You hear it on TV which I don't think is permitted in the US.

gthotchkiss · 11-16-2005, 9:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfogey

Thanks, L2L, good story.

"Limeys" can be equally ignorant about the rest of Europe or the US: Brits often assume Norway is part of the EU or Sweden uses the Euro. I think swearing is probably more common in everyday life here than in the US. You hear it on TV which I don't think is permitted in the US.

Ohh no, its permitted, its everywhere.... you don't hear the f-bomb on too many channels... but everything else is pretty much open limits....

Anyone here watch The Shield on FX?????? That has to be the best show in the world.... However that is a GREAT example of what TV shows in the US can get away w/ (sorry bout the t-jack)