 September 3rd, 2010
12:15 PM ET
In my very first video for Eatocracy, way back in June, there's a brief section where I'm asking the proprietor of Di Palo's Fine Foods for the correct pronunciation of the word, "guanciale." Perhaps I should be afraid of judgment from people thinking that a half-Italian girl who runs a food site should know how to say such things. I'm thinking 1. I've seen and written the word a million times, but never heard it said aloud 2. talking to experts is how I learn and 3. asking questions of folks who know is NEVER a bad thing. Are pronunciation questions on the menu for you? |
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NO! dont tell him to come into Arizona! stupid richard
I like gwacamolie.
Damnit Taco. Rick Perry told me the WI-FI wouldn't cross the Southern Border. Please start heading West until you cross the Arizona Border
One thing that annoys me is when I go to a place like Carrabba's and the servers correct my pronunciation - when I'm pronouncing it correctly. "Minestrone" is not pronounced "minn-uh-stroan." Blah. I get that these are not the restaurants you're talking about here, but it's still a peeve.
I always preface such orders with "I know I'm mangling the pronunciation horribly, but I'd like to have..."
To all servers: Want to make sure you get a tiny tip? Correct my pronunciation. Want to get NO tip? Roll your eyes when you do it.
If someone flubs a word, the POLITE thing for a server to do is to claim they are having a hard time hearing, and ask you to point a the menu item. Alternatively, they can double-check by asking, "Sorry, I spaced for a moment...was that the pig's jowl?". Your job is to make diners feel welcome and comfortable. It is not to let everyone know that you really do have a university degree and speak five languages, but the job market forces you to pretend to be a server.
And I do speak three languages, thank you. So don't you dare correct me when I'm a paying customer.
Sometimes the server will do this kind of thing as a silly power game. A few years ago, I was in a real dive of a Mexican restaurant, where my companion (who studied Spanish for many years) ordered birria. The snotty waitress (very young, heavily made-up) screwed up her face and pretended to have no idea what he asked for. She made him ask several times, and then said, "Oh...birria!"...with precisely the same inflection and pronunciation he had used.
I thought you were a hurricane and Please Don't threaten Missy.
You are absolutely correct, but you seem to be expressing this opinion with a lot of venom rather than matter-of-factly..
A server should never correct a guest's pronunciation. Way back when I was serving my way through grad school I had a guest order the "Lewis Latter." I had absolutely no frickin' clue what he wanted so I claimed that the muzak was too loud, would he please indicate what he wanted on his menu. He picked up the wine list, pointed at the "Louis Latour" and glared at me. My response was "Absolutely sir, a glass of the pinot noir" and smiled.
I lost in that situation because there was no way I could win. If I had done the rude thing and pronounced it properly I would have been a jerk, but my solution offended him too. It was the not rude – but apparently still offensive – solution.
I usually do my best guess with pronunciations I don't know (unless I know I'll mangle it and then I just point) followed by "Did I get that even close?" and smiling. Then, IF we have a good server, they'll pronounce it correctly and sometimes even tell me something about the dish that I might not have known. That is ABSOLUTELY the only time a server should correct a mispronunciation, when INVITED by a guest.
Random mispronunciatons occur all the time and shouldn't phase anyone – the orderer or the server.
But, people who are dripping with disdain and mispronounce? You can bet that even the best servers are discussing the mangling in a sidestand with their other coworkers – who very well may have graduate degrees...
*sigh*...some of you need to LIGHTEN UP!!!
I'm well-educated, well-traveled, well-rounded and I know that not EVERYONE knows the same things I know. Those of you who look down on the commentors who don't know about fine cuisine: I'm fairly certain that the people you're dogging could run circles around you in THEIR field of expertise and/or interest. Get over yourselves!
that was all I was saying Leah.. I may not know about whoever that chef was but I'm an expert at cowboy boots seeing as I'm a sourcing clerk and assistant marketing manager for a major company.. but it really DOESNT MATTER when your life is over no one is going to be like "that girl knew ALOT about food???"
Is that West Texas Bullshit on your boots or did that come from Marshall?
"I'm an expert at cowboy boots seeing as I'm a sourcing clerk and assistant marketing manager for a major company."
Expert? doubt it
yes.. expert. I can tell you everything about the materials the manufacturing the pricing the size system heel and toe type etc... its my job thanks!
Leah, it doesn't matter what you say, Kristen will chime in. Just check the thread to see. She has a comment for everything and it's annoying, too bad she can't take criticism the way she can dish it out.
*shrug* so ignore her. Being more knowledgeable than someone and playing the "she started it" card is no excuse for anyone to be hateful & mean.
Not that I'm accusing you of being hateful & mean...I was speaking in general terms.
And I'm not looking down my nose at anyone, I just hate bitche$!
I am terribly sorry you have had a bad day. Possibly it was the smell of Real Corinthian leather-or the waft of sour sock smell emminating from Kristan's used shoe horn. Please try and get along.
Where's the vat of oil and bikinis for these chicks? You're my boy, Blue! you're my boy.....
Kristen and Joanna – it's one thing to disagree but you are both showing everyone what the world sees as a rude American and it's embarrassing to Americans who are not rude.
dje2671 didn't start your war of words, that would be Kristen who apparently thinks anyone who understands 5 star dining to be fair game. For both of you, Fazoli's is not real Italian, no more than Taco Bell is real Mexican. Do you both also think it's correct to use a spoon to twirl your pasta?
I always get funny looks when I go to Italian restaurants! I say "Bahn-jern-oh!" and everything!
So exactly what is an "Italian grilled panini sandwich"? (Does it get grilled twice?) Why do restaurants slaughter language?
I will just ask what the specials are. That way, I can just pick one and repeat back whatever they say :-)
If it's a nice place I'll intentionally slaughter the word in a more disrespectful manner than the butcher slaughtered what that word represents. Then I'll look at the waiter an inflect the question, "was i right" and if he corrects me, I'll just repeat it the way i said it first, and tell him/her that that should be how everyone pronounces it.
This is like the potato and tomato pronunciations. Dialects, regions, it all counts. And gyro sounds like "euro" according to my Greek friend from Greece who now owns a restaurant that sells gyros. But I'm sure it will be corrected. Anyway, I don't think there's a wrong way but I agree that the "snooty server" will end up with a "snooty server tip" if he is unhappy with my attempt at pronunciation!
Best post on here. What everyone forgets is that words are pronounced or have different meanings depending on region or country. Americans, British, Australians and Canadians don't all speak exactly the same and there is not one accepted accent or pronunciation of every word. In Spanish the difference between Spanish in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain is rather drastic. So who's correct? All of them, it's about what is commonly accepted in the society you happen to be currently living in or visiting. It's great to learn the original pronounciation and if someone is compltely butchering a word and is obviously clueless there's no problem with gently suggesting how it should be pronounced. Besides, I gurantee there are many American products that people from other countries don't pronounce 100% the way we do here in the States and I wouldn't dare to tell them that the way they say it is wrong because for their country and culture that's how it's pronounced.
Go to Olive Garden or Carrabas and order in Italian, watch the confused look on the server's face. A girl that works for me pronounces the "t" in Buffet.
Ahaha, that is funny! My daughter tried to order in Spanish while on vacation, she's only had one year in school, and the waiter only spoke French and English. I'm not sure who was more confused.
Authentic Italian food doesn't exist in the USA, and Olive Garden and Carabba's, and the such, should not be considered Italian. But I know exactly what u mean Nick. Troppo divertente!!
You can get authentic Italian, but it's usually at someone's home. So sad!
There are several very good Italian restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn, but one has to know where to look because the obvious ones are usually North American versions of Italian. Daniella's on 8th in Manhattan is excellent for true southern Italian cuisine.
I wish I could find good Milanese and Romano restaurants. I really miss those around Easter in particular because of the fish dishes that I can't make myself.
I say it the way I think its pronunced while pointing to it at the same time.
A server can feel free to clarify my order pronounciation. I like learning and appreciate it; but snooty attitude gets a hefty "d-bag reduction surcharge" on their 20%.
Humble, that's a great way to do things, it's always a good idea to build a repoir w/your server.
"Rapport" – lol!
You're right, I'm wrong. I need to quit doing two things at once.
It really is. And sometimes taking just that little bit of interest in them brightens their day.
I guess having waited tables at one time makes me think a bit about how I treat a person waiting on me. Kindness to others goes a long way!
Recently I was dining with a friend. My eco-conscious friend asked what kind of fish was used in the fish& chips. The server told us that it was Polack! We gently suggested to her that she may mean Pollock–happens to everyone I guess.
I happen to be a linguist, so I know how to pronounce almost everything on these menus. It's funny when the server doesn't know what I'm saying and I have to American-ize it XD
I deliberately mispronounce as much as I can. People that freak out over things like that deserve to be trolled.
We're not talking about some religious figure or some historical family name or something like that. So when I ask for extra a little extra "gwawck-a-mole" sauce on the side of my "quaza-dill-a" they can get mad if they want, it's their tip LOL
you are my favorite!
I always ask. Why not? Sometimes the waiter/waitress knows the right pronunciation, and sometimes they don't, but it usually build a brief rapport with them. Especially if it's their native language, say Korean, and you ask how to say a couple of words. I've never had a bad experience with that, and sometimes the service is better or they throw in a little something extra because they've decided they like you.
I look it up on wikipedia with my smart phone
I'm paying for it I'll pronounce it the way I think is right...
Who cares? The only people who care are showoffs who need to get a life. BTW, I speak 5 languages and studied the linguistic makeup of over 4 more. I will pronounce things I know because I know them, but I couldn't care less if not pronounced correctly and neither do most waiters.
I guess I dont eat at places with hard menus. Olive Garden is top of my post grad budget. I had to google "guanciale" because I've never seen it on a Denny's menu.
While it's nice to know the name of a dish in the original langauge, a really good restaurant will provide and English (or local language) equivalent, rather than just being pretentious. I see no value in making clients uncomfortable with pronunciations.
You don't travel much, do you?
haha.. youre funny I think youre a troll or just really disgruntled
A troll, wow how original of you! Come up with that all by yourself? Or is Billy Bob whispering in your ear?
Billy Bob isnt here actually it was Bubba and he would like to "meat" you
Touche'. I had a typo. Please forgive me!
I know how to pronounce "Big Mac," "extra bacon," and "biggie size" just fine.
you are probably obese too...lol
Except in France, where it is "Le Big Mac"...
And in the same second LOL
Pretty soon Obama will have all the menus in a different language. The liberals and the party of hate will do anything to take away the American way of life.
Does the American way of life include discriminating?
Um yah Americas whole history is based on discrimination..
you're pretty much my favorite.. do you just sit and wait for new articles to be posted to make comments because it makes me laugh everytime and I wonder to myself "what is truth gonna say this time"
Please take you political drivel over to the politics section as they are more apt to listen to your stupid political banter. Blame the Dems, blame the Repubs....your life sux because the government is responsible...blah freaking blah.....gets old! It's especially freaking old when it's on food....you over zealous tard!
I, too, look for Truth's posts. At first he annoyed me until I figured he just enjoyed the heated responses he gets. Now he's just a part of the pack. Like RichardHead and few others. I wish more people kept the same handle.
WhY cAn'T wEeE bE fRiEnDs, WhY cAn'T wEeE bE fRiEnDs....
...because we're all just big kids at heart who enjoy a good food fight. Get it? Food fight? HA HA I crack myself up sometimes! ok, so yes, I have opened the wine. Why do you ask? ;-)
The word is REGARDLESS .... There is no word irregardless.................
I was thinking the same thing..
The word is sarcasm
Their appears to be a dry run on humor today. (and yes, that was intentional – c'mon people lighten up a bit! It's a holiday weekend!)
@ sporkaticus EXACTLY :) I really just wanted to make another useless comment... I know who chef gordon ramsey is does that count?
Ha Ha! Counts with me! Hell's Kitchen is my guilty pleasure.
Just say the number next to the name.
Usually there are numbers as well and I know how to pronounce those . . .
I know how to pronounce everything at the restaurants we're likely to go to. I know how to pronounce Spanish (although I will admit to being hit or miss at rolling the r's,) and it seems the Chinese (Mandarin?) names of the menu dishes are either in English, or pronounced pretty much like they're spelled (Mu Shu Pork, Moo Goo Gai Pan, etc.)
soo its yee row like yee haw but yee row?
Yeah, it's yee-haw. (typical american)
yes American I am and southern ! Watch out I have a degree too ..
In what? Useless commentary?
dje2671, I'm right there w/you. Kristen sounds like someone who has something to say about everything and really had no need to be such a know it all. You didn't attack her or anyone else. I think the personal information you gave is completely relevant so others know you are not just pulling it out of your @$$.
It's not a matter of being pretentious, if you own an ethnic restaurant, it's fitting to have authentic names because not everyone needs it dumbed down. If you have a good staff, they will not make the client feel uncomfortable but instead can enrich their lives w/a little knowledge.
It's disturbing to see the number of people who think it's ok to call someone who is perhaps better traveled and has opportunities to experience different cultures pretentious just because they don't frequent chain restaurants. You certainly do not need money to experience food culture, only a cookbook and a desire to think outside the box. I learned much of what I know well before I had any money to speak of and taught my children such things as well. It's simply a matter of having a desire to be cultured.
Thank you April, it's a pleasure to know there are some cultured people out there.
dje2671, you certainly sound like you are interested in food for food-snobs, not to share your talents and knowledge with as diverse a population as possible. A news site is not the place for you or your elitist food opinions to say nothing of your incredibly narrow view of Americans. All you're doing is perpetuating a snotty European stereotype- which is just as bad as the one you're perpetuating of Americans. Please, take yourself back to Europe if you feel your incredible insight will be more appreciated there. There are plenty of folks here who would love to step into whatever space you'd leave behind and would relish the opportunity you don't seem to appreciate- assuming you're actually employed somewhere. You posted an awful lot of comments at noon on Friday. (For the record, I am on my lunch break eating a turkey sandwich I prepared for myself last night. It includes an avocado. "AH-vo-cah-do".)
@joanna Guess what I had Fazolis!! hahaha wonder what @dje2671 has to say about that..
I didn't know McDonald's served ah-vo-ca-doh. And yes I am a food snob, as you put it. Because I earned the right to be one by completing 5 years of schooling, and working for three Michelin grade chefs. I might be a food snob, but at least I have the pedigree to back it up? What do you have? A turkey sandwich!
I think dje2671 really works at McDonalds since he talks about it so much and has problems with the words "meet" and "meat" but Americans are the ignorant ones... okkkkkkk (BTW: McDonalds has turkey sandwhiches?)
My turkey sandwich was made with my own two hands, because I felt like eating one today- it's not a culinary masterpiece, but I enjoyed it. I certainly have no problem eating at McDonald's once in awhile and I would love to eat at Le Bec Fin every night if I could afford to do so. However, if others are not interested in that, or don't know what it is, I'm certainly not going to look down my nose at them and insult them for their choices. That's what you're doing, and I think you're appalling. If you'd like to do us all the favor of letting us know where you prepare food, I would certainly appreciate it, as I do my best to avoid establishments that employ hateful people.
Kristin- enjoy your Fazoli's!
Oh we have some teaming up here now do we? Ma, sti cazzi. Non me ne frega piu' di niente di te o delle tue opinione del cazzo. Donc, je m'en vai. Buenas tardes.
My friend Billy Bob told me he saw you at Petsmart in the ring with the other 5 year pedigrees. Seems you all were licking your butts at the same time. Available on U-Tube.
RichardHead – Who are you? Kristen's bitch? Stay out of this, it's between me and her and her #1 bitch, Joanna
O.k. ladies-do your thing. By the way-Please clean up your mess that you left in the ring.
hahahahahhahahaha... too funny!!!!
yeer` row - one word (like "hero"), quick, with a flipped "r"
Anyone who said they pronounce every word correctly is lying! I speak 5 languages fluently, grew up in Europe, am a certified chef who studied under Paul Bocuse, and stilll cannot pronounce every culinary word. So, get off your pedestals and show some humility. Either that, or stop dining at McDonald's!!
you seem like you are on a pedestal... I think I'm just gonna say things the way I want until someone corrects me hah and then I will correct them and say they are wrong!
If I were on a pedestal, I would have said I taught Paul Bocuse every thing he knows.
who is that? oh wait I dont care because it doesnt matter at all!! I like when people think irrelevant things are important and that everyone else is supposed to care about them.
If you don't know who Paul Bocuse is, you shouldn't be posting useless comments on a culinary thread.
oh ok I googled him " he is the grumpy chef of french cuisine" and he is like 80... YAY now I can be pretentious
No, not pretentious. Ignorant american, yes!
That's so much better than actually learning something. Just waste a few minutes of your waiter's time, arguing about how to pronounce something about which you are totally clueless.
The the McDonalds' in Italy where it says right on the menu "cheeseburger doppio?"
Doppio cheeseburger con le patatine fritte?
Correct prounciation of everything on the menu is fairly straightforward if one has passed the BBC's pronunciation exam. It's very thorough, as it must be for a news organisation of that calibre. Tack on fluency in a handful of languanges and profiency in several others, and ordering anywhere is an easy task.
Making one's selection, however, is sometimes difficult, especially if one has catholic tastes. If I'm hungry, everything sounds good and it can be virtually impossible to decide what not to order.
I have very catholic tastes in food, and have yet to find a single menu item I can't pronounce. Like you, dje, I'm fluent in several languages. I've lived in several countries, and am proficient in and have knowledge of several other languages. My "trick", if you will, was the study required to pass the BBC's pronunciation exam. It's very difficult and proficiency in language is less important than a strict understanding of language rules. If one can pass that exam, one can order with confidence in any cuisine.
I wasn't aware that Catholics had a distinct taste in food...
Bunny-Please speak Proper English-Everyone knows Catholics speak Roman English. This was a problem for me since I am from Poland.
The term "catholic" means all-encompassing and has nothing to do with religion. The Roman Catholic Church derived its name from the word because the Church was also all-encompassing in the Christian world. In this case it just means that I enjoy all kinds of foods, and that there's not a single cuisine I refuse.
how do you say "gyro" is it "year-o" or "gear-o" or "gi-row" I honestly have no idea and just avoid saying it :) I have heard all four ways though
I believe it's "hero". I've also heard it "year-o", too. So I am unsure.
haha "hero" thats a new one... mannnnnnn
Jd – "hero"... now you're ordering a different sandwich. LOL
Oh, yeah. LOL.
My Greek pal, Christ (yup...that's his real name) one day in college wouldn't let me leave my house until I said "yee-row" to his liking. I went and ordered on, saying it like that. Guy at the counter was so happy, he doubled the meat.
I have a friend Christ too – pronounced "Krist"
He isn't a delightfully insane painter who lives near DC, is he?
Nope – Sorry. He's a drummer/drum instructor at a local college.
Just say 'kebab". That's what it's called in north Africa
as an american living in canda..
in US I always heard it pronounced gyro (gi-row)....since living in canada...and actually hearing real greeks call it it year-o. it is the english bastardization of the language that the US still believes to be the correct pronunciation. I will side with what I hear in Canada as there seem to be many more 1st generational Europeans and middle Easterners.
either way you say it...I love it....
Don't get an american started on shwarma.....LOL
@dje2671 Gyros are not kebabs.
dje2671 – Do you not know what this thread is about? You are talking something totally different... and here you are trying to show off, saying you studied under Paul Bocuse – when you don't even know the difference between Persian and Greek cuisine.....
me – FYI Gyro – An American-Greek sandwich. Most food historians generally agree the name "gyro" and the current sandwich are both recent inventions originating in New York during the early 1970s. Gyros, as we know them today, are thought to have evolved from the traditional "Doner Kebab" of Turkey.
Year-row. Most of the diner type places in my area are Greek, so you learn how to pronounce those things early on. If you don't, the staff has no problem correcting you!
me – first of all the word Gyro refers to the meet and nothing else. In some countries it is called Schwarma and in some Kebab or Doner Kebab. So who's the uncultured one now? Besides, if you had any clue who Bocuse is, you would know he isn't the one to teach you how to make a kebab! Go post on some other story.
@dje2671 "So who's the uncultured one now" obviously you because its "meat" not "meet" idiot... and this is the defintion for a gyro : Gyros or gyro is a Greek dish, consisting of meat, tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce, and is served with pita bread.
Doner kebab (Turkish: döner kebap or döner kebabı, literally "rotating roast", often abbreviated as döner, also spelled donair, donar, doner, or sometimes donner), is a Middle Eastern dish made of lamb meat (mainly) cooked on a vertical spit and sliced off to order. Two similar dishes are called shawarma in Arabic and gyros in Greek,[2] although ingredients and sauces differ. The English term kebab in some countries refers specifically to doner kebab.
dje2671 – I'm glad you can read – and regurgitate things from Wikipedia – which is exactly what you are doing. I do know who M. Bocuse is, and I too have studied the culinary arts... so don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.....
Nice, Kristen, so you started name calling
@dje2671 That's not true, according to the very Greek owners of a local place. The whole dish is prepared in a specific way. It's the preparation that separates it from other similar dishes. I could order from them gyro meat, or a gyro. The gyro is the whole package. They'd never give me just the meat if I asked for the gyro.
me – Kristen's the one quoting Wikipedia. Google gyro, it's the first link listed
I NEVER claimed that I wasnt quoting wikipedia.. hahahahahaha umm did I say Fazolis was real italian nope never did! I usually just eat the pasta with my fingers with my friend bubba. Never called any names just said he was the one on the pedestal. HEHEHEHE YALL (oh yah I said YALL) are silly! You dont like Americans get out of America we probably dont like you anyways
Since you're so smart Kristen, read your post where you called him an idiot because his typo said meet, instead of meat.
Also, not sure where you got your information because I'm an American and never said otherwise, and I didn't have to resort to all caps to get that across.
"HEHEHEHE YALL (oh yah I said YALL)" – As a side note, I'm also southern and have a degree but I'm having trouble understanding your words. yah? Do you mean yeah? and YALL, it's Y'all as in a contraction of you all.
ACTUALLY EMILY (yes in all caps) he called me ignorant WAY before I called him an idiot. yes y'all is a contraction for you all but it really isnt even a word in the dictionary so YALL is perfectly acceptable. I never claimed to be "so smart" I just dont act like a pretentious pr*ck .. No I dont eat at 5 star establishments regularly I have only been the the bahamas and canada not to europe. I do have my bachelors and am getting my masters, I do have a job that is in an office and I work with China daily.. I dont feel the need to be a pretentious a$$ and talk down to people because they dont travel the world and spend 5 years learning how to cook. Joanna wants to eat a turkey sandwich GOOD FOR HER... you wanna go eat with the pretentious @$$ dje then YALL go have fun. I guarantee you my down to earth friends are WAY more fun then the pr*cks you guys hang out with. I will continue to eat my Taco Bell and Fazolis and hey who knows maybe I'll even go to Mortons (I'm sure this is still not high class enough for you) but HEY its about how you live your life not how expensivley you live your life
My name's not Emily, dumba$$ and yes, I called you a name and I meant it. I'm not hiding behind a fake name. It's not me that's pretentious, it's you. I do not pretend to be anything I'm not, such as a know it all. I'm not a snob and I never look down my nose at anyone, nor is it allowed in my home. I too eat turkey sandwiches when I feel like it, I'm a pretty normal person. I took exception to your attitude toward someone who did not attack you, who did not call you names and who did not start his comments by being a snot. His explanation of his background, languages spoken and culinary training are pertinent to this thread and not an attempt to pretend to be better than you or anyone else.
You are completely clueless to think you can only be down to earth if you don't eat at fine restaurants or have money. I came from very humble beginnings and I'm not wealthy now, it has nothing to do w/having an expensive lifestyle and for you to say so, shows just how narrow minded you are. As I stated in an earlier post, I learned much of what I know about good food, when I had no money. I didn't learn from dining at high priced restaurants but by doing the cooking. I learned a great deal from Chuck Williams – an American cooking icon – when I worked for his company.
My friends aren't pricks, dicks or anything close. My friends are from all walks of life, different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and education levels. What they have in common is they are good people who care about others.
You call me pretentious because I stand up for someone you are being hateful towards but in reality you are simply being judgemental.
Not sure why you felt the need to say you have a job that is in an office and work with China. Working in an office doesn't make you smart and you're an assistant marketing manager so what does that prove? That you're someone's assistant, not that you'll be remembered for more than being able to cook. Nice attempt at cutdown, but I'm not a chef, it's a hobby for me. I make my living giving others a shot at a better life, what do you do?
@April-Ladies Please-this type of language and emotion can only be handled one way-That's correct,the first ever"Naked Grilling Cook-off"! Jdizzle McHammerpants and myself will be the referees and also Ticket Salespersons.Now there are rules,yet from reading your responses we may throw those out the window. Please R.S.V.P.
I'm a registered judge with the N.A.N.G. (National Association of Nude Grilling). You can trust my skillz on Naked grilling judgments.
I think its zero! hehe who cares if it takes good right?
LOL...I went to a restaurant offering gyros with a Greek friend of mine. She ordered a "yee-row" and the lady behind the counter looked at her like she had 3 heads. "Oh, y'all mean a 'jye-row'?" My friend just giggled and paid. They were actually quite tasty for a burger joint in West TX!
I fake it when I don't know how to pronounce it, and ask for help.
What kills me, is when I pronounce the word correctly, but corrected by the waiter with an Americanized version.
Like "Gi-Row"? (Gyro)
Yea,I was gonna be a "Gyno" cause I like to work with my hands!
Doctor, you first patient of the day is here, a Ms. Rosanne Barr...
@Truth-Please stand at attention and remove your hats as Ma.Barr will be singing the "National Anthem". Ear plugs available at the nurses station.
Oh, God. Not Roseanne. Gotta take the good with the bad. Always wondered about the mentality of males that become OB/GYN's. My girlfriend works at a hospital, the other day one got busted porking one of his assistants. Immediate termination. Of the guy. The female gets to stay onboard cause her dad is a prominent lawyer in town. Nice how the world works.
Yes! This happens to me with beer menus all the time. Sorry, I actually know the language and correct way to say it.
Or when, for bruschetta they pronounce it "Brushetta" when it is really pronounced "Brusketta." But that isn't half as bad as when people say there when they mean their or they're. Or when they use the word to when they mean too. It makes sense when the average education of the U.S. is 8th grade though.
I thought either pronunciation was acceptable. At least according to Alton!
In all Italian words, the "ch" sound is a hard sound, therefore "Bruschetta" is pronounced "brus-ket-tah". Sorry, but Alton is wrong
spoken language and dialect are regional...I am sure where you are originally from, they say menu items different according to the region...don't bash Americans because they speak it Americanized....what's funny is that the world will copy the American way to say things rather than the original.
ummmm....
I'm American. It's OK to use the word 'Americanized' even if you're from here.
I usually point to the item on the menu at the same time as I try to say the name correctly. Whether I do or not... thats another story.
Most people don't know how to spell or write the English language correctly, so this poll is irrelevant.
they don't talk good either
"They dont speak well either". Moron.
LOL. I wasn't going to say anything.
I'm hoping they were being sarcastic
that was troll-tastic!
Spoonie, I am pretty sure they said it that way purposely.
I did. Thanks, Umwhat, I see the subtlety or, well, the intentional lack thereof, was not lost on you.
Spoonie
"They dont speak well either". Moron.
Missing an apostrophe there... "moron" :-þ
Irregardless...
You've been there? The place on Morgan Street in Raleigh, NC?
Hell,I speak Texan so I guess I get what I ordered.
Not all restaurants are in English so your comment is irrelevant.
I AM irrelevant. I could die tomorrow and society wouldn't miss a beat. Also, if I open a restaurant in France I should learn to speak French. Just sayin'....
I think you are assuming the menu is written in English. I have been to restaurants where the menu is written in other languages, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, etc. I've noticed most of the waiters/waitresses are understanding and usually don't make a big fuss over the pronunciation. Be polite to your waiter/waitress, and I don't think you have anything to worry about.
I'll either ask or pronounce it my way and ask if I'm right or wrong. One deciding factor though is how approachable the restaurant and server are. Because, let's face it, it really sucks when you try to pronounce &/or ask how to pronounce a new word only to be treated like an idiot for not knowing. And, in some places, that's exactly the response I've received.
Pretty soon servers will be telling customers to stay home if they cant pronounce the menu
So, you've tried ordering a "small" coffee at Starbucks? :)
If the waiter/waitress pulled that with me, his/her tip would suffer as well.
Exactly. A server who smiles and helps me with the pronunciation is going to get a bigger tip from me.
Shame,shame,Bubba-Everyone knows this does not happen until the 28th of the month.