| Index |
In France and Germany, tax and tip are included in your bill. In Germany, it’s best to round up. So, if I go out to lunch and your bill is 87 Euros, you would leave 90 Euros. For excellent service, you might want to leave 95 Euros.
In Germanic countries, don’t leave a tip on the table: it’s “PC” to say the number of Euros you’d like to tip when paying.
In Italy, it’s best to tip in cash, because otherwise it will likely never reach your waiter or waitress.
Some restaurants in European cities have started increasing the service charge amounts to between 15% and 17%. And still it gets even more confusing. In France they will tell you that the service charge is just that - and not the tip, so if you do not leave extra they find it an offense to the performance of the wait staff.
If you’re not sure, just ask. In some cases it is hard to know whether or not a tip has been added or not so it is always best to ask-and do not be embarrassed to ask.
Asian countries can be even more perplexing. Some countries do indeed find tipping to be insulting, while in Thailand now they are starting to be more aggressive and expect it.
In the case of bellhops, you might want to give one dollar-not euro or pound-per bag and the bellmen more modestly, usually one Euro total, not per bag. For housekeeping, a few Euros on the table the morning of checkout is generous.
For taxis and chauffeured services, 10-15% is fine.
In Turkey it’s customary to tip the tour guide about $6 to $8 a day and bus drivers should be tipped about $5 to$6 a day.
At Loggerheads ~ An iron ball attached to a long handle was a loggerhead. When heated, it was used to seal the pitch in deck seams. It was sometimes a handy weapon for quarreling crewmen.
Give A Wide Berth ~ To anchor a ship far enough away from another ship so that they did not hit each other when they swung with the wind.
Garbled ~ Garbling was the prohibited practice of mixing rubbish with the cargo. A distorted, mixed up message was said to be gabled.
Press Into Service ~ The British navy filled their ships’ crew quotas by kidnapping men off the streets and forcing them into service. This was called “Impressment” and was done by Press Gangs.
Touch and Go ~ This referred to a ship’s keel touching the bottom and getting right off again.
Scuttlebutt ~ A butt was a barrel. Scuttle meant to chop a hole in something. The scuttlebutt ws a water barrl with a hole cut into it so that sailors could reach in and dip ouit drinking water. The scuttlebutt was the place where the ship’s gossip was exchanged.
FRENCH TERMS: Jollyboat, frigate, captain
Fore, from Anglo-Saxon for forward
Main, from the Latin for magnus or great
Mizzen, Italian by was of Latin for mazzane or mezzo meaning middle
Aft, Anglo-Saxon for aeft, bak or toward the stern
Starboard, Old English for rudder or steering board comes from the word steorboard. The right side of the ship.
Gunnels, Upper edge or low bulwark on a ship. Was originally the wall behind which cannons were mounted giving it the name "gun wall."
Port, Originally the side opposite the steorbboard was the larboard. Changed by British Navy in 1844 to port - the side of the vessel closest to the dock or port.
Fo'c'sle. The forward dect of a ship. Originally a raised platform with an enclosed structure that was used for defense. "Forward castle," or "forecastle," shortened to fo’c’sle.
Bells/Watch. Heart of the ship. Rang every 4 hours. Announced duty or 'watch" from the Anglo-Saxon waecce or guard.
Gangway vs. Gangplank. Gang is old Anglo-Saxon for path. Gangway - path out of the ship.
Ganplank – board connecting the gangway to the pier.
Anchors Aweigh. "Aweigh the anchor" is to clear the bottom so the ship is free to move. To "weigh" the anchor is to "pull up."
All shrifts are short
Why are we allowed to vent our spleens, but never our kidneys?
Plurals…
Why can’t you make amend, rather than amends?
Have you ever been…
Combobulated
Simultaneous Happenings
Houses can burn up and down at the same time
When traveling to South America, don't refer
to the United States as "America." South Americans (as well
as Canadians, Mexicans, and Central Americans) are
"Americans," too.
In Brazil, despite the heat, business people dress well. Men
in executive positions wear dark-colored three-piece suits,
conservative ties, and polished shoes. Women wear stylish
dresses, skirts and blouses, suits, or pantsuits -- but
never anything perceived as "masculine." And although
Portuguese, Brazil's dominant language, is very similar to
Spanish, Brazilians are not Hispanic and may take offense
if you address them in Spanish.
When visiting India on business, you'll be deluged with
social invitations. If you can't attend a function, a
noncommittal answer (such as "I'll try") is more acceptable
than "No, I can't," which is considered harsh and impolite.
If you're presenting a business gift, green, red, or yellow
wrapping paper is considered lucky; avoid black or white
paper, either of which is considered unlucky. And should
you receive a gift, simply express your appreciation and
set it aside; it's considered impolite to open it in the
presence of the giver.
Australians are quite sociable, too. If you're invited out
for a drink, don't bring up business subjects unless your
host does first. Also, bear in mind that, in an Australian
pub, each person pays for a round of drinks. Neglecting to
take your turn will create a bad impression. If drinks
extend to an invitation to dinner, don't expect your host
to pick up the tab automatically. Australians usually
assume you'll "go Dutch."
Indonesians tend to be shrewd negotiators, so hard
bargaining is respected. To earn an Indonesian's respect,
maintain a positive, persistent attitude -- but never pound
one fist into the palm of your other hand, as that may be
perceived as obscene.
In China, pushing in lineups is common, spitting in public
is acceptable, and blowing your nose with a handkerchief is
okay. But putting your hands in your mouth, biting your
nails, and removing food from your teeth are all considered
vulgar.
The work week runs from Saturday through Wednesday in Saudi
Arabia, and business hours vary widely. Morning is the best
time for an appointment, as most businesses close for a few
hours each afternoon.
Incidentally, don't hug the Dutchman OR the Russian. As in
most countries, a firm handshake is appropriate when
business associates meet. Bear hugs and kisses on each
cheek are customary only when Russians meet old friends and
relatives. On the other hand, if the Russian person touches
your arm or shoulder during conversation, it is usually a
sign of confidence. In Holland, it's polite to extend your
hand both when you meet and also when saying goodbye.
Executive Planet.com has put together an extensive roundup
of global business customs and protocols for countries
around the world that are considered the top U.S. trading
partners. You'll find it a handy reference for information
on negotiating deals, entertaining, and conducting
meetings, as well as the appropriate business dress, public
behavior, and topics of conversation for each of those
countries. Go to: executiveplanet.com
"Tipping 101"
In some European countries, it’s customary to tip, while in other countries, it offends.
NAUTICAL TERMS
Starting Over With A Clean Slate ~ A slate was kept near the helm on which the watch keeper would record the speeds, distances, headings and tacts turning the watch. I there were”gar no problems during the watch, the slate would be wiped clean so that the new watch could start over with a clean slate.
DUTCH TERMS: Skipper, skiff, schooner, boat, yacht
Hull, from the Old English word holhe, or hollow
Speaking Of English…
Beck can appear only with call
Cranny can only appear with nook
Caboodle can only appear with kit
Spic can only appear with span
All bystanders are innocent
All bedfellows are strange
Why are our minds boggled and never our hearts?
Why can’t eyes and jars be ajar, as well as doors?
Why isn’t there an annal of history, only annals?
Shenanigan(s)
Doldrum(s)
Jitter(s)
Heebie-jeebie(s)
Smithereen(s)
Sheveled
Gruntled
Chalant
Ruly
Gainly
Maculate
Peccable
Sung hero
You can fill in and fill out a form at the same time
Alarm clocks go off and on at the same time
Chop a tree down so you can chop it up