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Topic: Penny-pinching misers!  (Read 11350 times)

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Re: Penny-pinching misers!
« Reply #75 on: September 08, 2011, 08:47:46 PM »
Totally agree - tight and cheap as anything.  But it comes from being poor and frugal.  And having less disposable cash.  So there's a reason - but it doesn't fit with American culture.  Except if you're really poor.  Although poor people in the US still tip big.  ANyway, I digress!  It's explainable but still is different than us.  The only way it makes it hard to live here is that you can't get a job which is based on generosity - ie, tips.  Waitresses, bartenders and others who usually live on tips in the US - cannot do the same in the UK.  Actually, after a number of years here you can see the positive side- you don't have go give a generous gift to anyone!  hahahaha


Re: Penny-pinching misers!
« Reply #76 on: September 20, 2011, 09:17:11 AM »
David, I took it as dry humor.  :)  A penny short... I've had a customer in front of me come up $12 short in the USA, and I just paid the rest of their bill because it was a very long line of impatient people behind me and I knew it would take lots of time for the person to decide which items they wanted to put back to cover the cost.

I don't know if it's a British thing or not, but something I've noticed is my MIL is always asking how much everything costs if we say we bought something... even if we bring her flowers!  I was surprised at first, because that is considered rude manners back home. But I'm used to it now. Maybe people are more cost-conscious over here, due to high taxation and needing to save money?


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Re: Penny-pinching misers!
« Reply #77 on: September 20, 2011, 12:06:27 PM »


I don't know if it's a British thing or not, but something I've noticed is my MIL is always asking how much everything costs if we say we bought something... even if we bring her flowers!  I was surprised at first, because that is considered rude manners back home. But I'm used to it now. Maybe people are more cost-conscious over here, due to high taxation and needing to save money?[/color]

It's not a British thing.

Maybe she is just concerned about your finances.


Re: Penny-pinching misers!
« Reply #78 on: September 20, 2011, 06:54:50 PM »
I don't know if it's a British thing or not, but something I've noticed is my MIL is always asking how much everything costs if we say we bought something... even if we bring her flowers!  I was surprised at first, because that is considered rude manners back home. But I'm used to it now. Maybe people are more cost-conscious over here, due to high taxation and needing to save money?[/color]

It's not a typically "British thing", it's just dreadfully bad manners, and I would be tempted to just plain not tell her.


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Re: Penny-pinching misers!
« Reply #79 on: September 20, 2011, 08:06:46 PM »
Well, my MIL has the opposite habit!  She has to tell YOU how much everything costs.  It ranges from teabags to TV's.  It drives me nuts!!!




Re: Penny-pinching misers!
« Reply #80 on: September 21, 2011, 11:59:45 AM »
Well, my MIL has the opposite habit!  She has to tell YOU how much everything costs.  It ranges from teabags to TV's.  It drives me nuts!!!

Ack!  Not sure I'd like that either.
Well, at least I know now it isn't a culture thing. Thanks for the responses.


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