The CalEnglishman

• A dance floor 9 years ago Not so long ago, I was having dinner at a restaurant with a large outdoor seating area - large enough to have a wedding reception going on to one side without disturbing the rest of us. The dance floor was in my direct line of sight so I found myself watching it closely, interested to observe this...
• An embarrassing situation 10 years ago For a group of people so often regarded as loud and brash, Americans are oddly coy when referring to anything to do with bodily functions. Maybe my memory is deceiving me, but in the UK I don't recall it being a bad thing to ask, in most restaurants or public places, if someone could point you in...
• A CostCo experience 11 years ago Entering my local CostCo recently, a family of four was going in ahead of me. There was nothing unusual about them, except that once we were inside the store, I happened to cross paths with them rather a lot – and so was able to observe their CostCo experience close at hand.As they get inside,...
• The end of summer 11 years ago We have reached the Labor Day weekend here, which traditionally marks the end of summer just as the Memorial Day weekend started it off. I imagine rueful scenes all over the country, as barbecues, snorkels and tennis rackets are stowed away, warmer clothing is dug out from the back of the closet,...
• A first ticket 11 years ago Not one but two police cars were gliding ominously behind me as I drove home the other evening. I was not worried - my brake lights were working, my speed was a shade under the limit, and, to top it all, I had plugged headphones into my phone so that incoming calls could not distract my hands from...

Unfortunately, no-one has been kind enough to leave a quick positive comment on this expat blog. Be the first!