Next time you see your Mother, Vortex, wear the two diamond crosses as ear rings. This way, she won't go and get you a third one.

Late to the conversation as usual, but oohh, chatting about regional store differences!!

I've lived in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Utah, and China, and like everyone else was at first taken aback by the overwhelming chattiness of everyone in the midwest, but I did find that with the exception of my very good friends people were not as nice anymore if they found out about my very liberal, non-Christian ways. But I still adore Minnesota. On the other hand, I was warned before moving to Salt Lake City that people would be different to me because I wasn't Mormon, but I never felt it. I was only in SLC for three months, but I really enjoyed it there.

I also found myself defending Bostonians a LOT to Minnesotan people, as a lot of them seemed to be convinced that everyone out there was rude and too busy and and I finally had to convince some of them to come visit me at home one summer to prove that this was not true. I love love love Massachusetts and I've never found the people there rude. But it's also home, so my opinion may be skewed.

Cashiers in China tend to either be super super super friendly (maybe slightly moreso to me than other people, as they are always freaking out that I can speak Chinese) down to the girl who works in one store near me who is usually sitting on a very low stool watching a movie on her computer and doesn't even look away from the screen to ring up what you buy, and then literally throws change at you. We find her hilarious. It's also lucky for her that she works at a store with a scanner, or she'd actually have to LOOK at what we're buying. In most stores, they just look at it and tell you how much.

To comment on a slightly more recent discussion, I love Anne of Green Gables. I remember reading the books when I was about nine and demanding to my mother that we promptly move to Prince Edward Island.

Wishing you much interview~ma, Hil! I hope it goes really well.

askye, I'm very glad to hear you're reaching 37 today. Many, many happies. Real, lasting ones. And best of luck with finding a therapist.

smonster, that comic on irony is fantastic. Have sent it to all my English teacher friends.

I remember seeing a movie (or the TV series, I forget) of Anne of Green Gables (and being made sad by the ending). I did not read it. I do love The IT Crowd.

I also found myself defending Bostonians a LOT to Minnesotan people, as a lot of them seemed to be convinced that everyone out there was rude and too busy

I adore Bostonians. I can't believe people would think them rude. I love Boston's combination of small town feeling in a decent-sized city, and the people completely reflect that. Maybe it helps that there's a lot Irish hospitality around. (My Irish Bostonian cousins, who I had never met before, had me stay for a week and showed me around Boston and the rest of Massachusetts. Wonderful people.)

Happy birthday, askye!

I have to say I kind of agree with the whole fake niceness of American shop people being weird. Like the whole having people to say hello to you as you come in? Creepy. People constantly asking you with big smiles if you need help? Creepy. People at the till telling you to have a great day? Just a big lie! I’ve worked in shops, I know you don’t give a crap whether I have a nice day or not, and you’re only saying it because your boss will fire you if you don’t. Which makes me complicit in your lack of agency. Weird and creepy. I’ll take honest rudeness every time. That said, people in smaller shops rather than chains don’t seem to do it as much, and are just generally nice.

Londoners have all been pretty friendly since I moved here too, which stereotypes would say is unlikely. That said, the stand on the right, walk on the left thing is STRICTLY followed. I’ve never seen anyone not do it. Don’t know what would happen if it did.

A friend of mine from Finland took a really long time to get used to small talk in Ireland. In Finland, you don't even make eye contact with people in shops, let alone chat to them. She's had people looking at her very strangely since moving back because she's accidentally smiled at a baby in the street or something.

Happy Birthday (((( Askye )))) Love ya

Happy Birthday askye! Ooh, and! Happy Bloomsday!

I am missing the snotgreen sea in Dublin today.

Insomnia fairie can bite it. Blargh. Wednesday is going to suck. .

Happy Birthday, Askye!

Happy Birthday, Askye!!!

Maria, I can definitely relate to that Italian gene and jewellery thing.