Why I love being european!

One of the joys of Europe is that fact that our languages often use similar but incredibly different idioms.

I just came out of a meeting in Copenhagen when a colleague suggeted that we had a detailed exploration of a particular issue - she called it a 'legs-up".  Old colleagues and close friends who know of my tragic Benny Hill affliction will understand the impact this comment had on me!

And later the same afternoon Klavs explained to me the subtle difference between Swedish and Danish.  Apparently if you have a good idea, a  Swede will often invite you to 'bounce' it around - which is a profoundly obscene concept in Danish!!! (use your imagination...)

So... to the regiments of people who I have offended over the years, my excuse is....I was just expressing myself in another cultural idiom.

Liam

Comments

[Aimee]

You can also "ball" an idea in Swedish. I'm not sure how that translates to British, but most Americans would be shocked to hear this in a corporate context.

[Liam FitzPatrick]

...but it would make the workplace more entertaining

Liam

[Kelly Kass]

Not this American - shock away, Aimee! Anything we can do to liven up corporate communication...

Best wishes from New York,

Kelly