Cultural differences

i enjoyed that....yes it would be interpreted as badly if not worse here too....at least amongst mature people,it may be a little different amongst the very young today ...

Anne, I think that this was more of a case of genetic idiocy on the side of Mademoiselle....or she did not like the guy.... There is a very well known expression in French to go out and have an informal bite to eat, which is "casser une croûte" (literally, to brake a crust of bread) and nobody (well, almost) nobody is offended by that.I agree with you, though, that there are cultural differences, not only between countries but also between regions, but any person with a bit of good manners and education will make allowances for a foreigner.Mademoiselle had neither of those attributes and the English guy is better off without her. Actually, she did him a service

Hi Gala;Please don't be offended if I correct your English; it is usually 100% correct; however;We 'break' a crust of bread.'Brake' is the mechanics in the car that slows it down. It is a noun (I put the brake on), and also a verb (Remember to brake to help you slow down).Con stimaAndrew

"Aujourd'hui le casse-croûte est aussi bien un sandwich BLT à trois étages qu'un croissant farci au Cantal et au jambon de pays ou qu'une tarte aux asperges vertes et au saumon fumé et à l'aneth.http://www.casse-croute.fr/Not quite a a Tramezzino: the casse-croute is nicer!The "tarte aux asperges vertes" is delicious as a Quiche. Asparagus is still in season in Italy. I buy a kilo in the local market for €4. They are also nice in "Frittata" or on their own with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil or with a pan-fried salmon steak with hollandaise sauce. I find "asparagi" are best eaten "al dente". When I put more than 12 to 16 spears in the boiling water they stew! They can be steamed or flash-fried with oyster sauce, having cut them diagonally! A nice lunch for anybody whatever the business! A nice bottle of "Aragosta" white wine completes the meal!Bon appetit, Buon appetito!Serge

Oh Serge - if only you'd talked dirty like that instead of spending a fortune at "upmarket" London restaurants, you'd have had them falling at your feet!

Thank you, Andrew

Now Andrew - what cultural difference are you trying to illustrate? Pedantic English versus flamboyant continental??? (Though come to think of it, for some reason I've always thought of Gala as Australian)

Not completely wrong Anne. I have dual nationality.

I wish I had known that, because every lass, young lady, mademoiselle, (mamzelle: creole for mademoiselle) and ragazza I have taken out to lunch or dinner always wanted a posh meal! Perhaps they thought I had a deep pocket! I would have saved a lot of money had I not taken them to Harvey Nics 5th Floor sestaurant, The Blue Elephant Thai restaurant or La Portes des Indes restaurant, all in London. Anyway, being a gourmand I did enjoy the food if not always the company!!!!