ceasesmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Has anyone ever actually had a report sent back
> for incorrect grammar, lack of clarity, whatever?
> The only ones I've ever had returned were because
> I needed to submit more/different photos. I have
> never
> been notified that I've been "dinged" for grammar
> or spelling. Do they even tell us if our
> grammar/spelling has been corrected by the
> proofreader/editor?
>
> cease

Yes...not sent back but corrected by one of the nicer shop companies who are forgiving. I was told that Carnitas is a singular not a plural. After the second time I now remember but I mostly change my wording around to avoid using was or were. I was also told the establishment is a restaurant and not a store. I guess I was using the generic word store ...shorter to write over and over and to me any retail brick and mortar place is a store of some kind. This was fast food and not a sit down.
Luckily they still seem to like my reports even though I thought carnitas was a plural...

Excuse me, ceasesmith, but what is "disquisition"? Is there such a word?

Perhaps you used non-existent words in your submitted sample writing.

ShopperFun99 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Excuse me, ceasesmith, but what is "disquisition"?
> Is there such a word?
>
> Perhaps you used non-existent words in your
> submitted sample writing.

I had to look this one up, but Merriam-Webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disquisition) says it is "a formal inquiry into or discussion of a subject."

Thank you for the opportunity to grow my vocabulary!

Thanks, Omgee, you are right. I just looked it up too.
however, I would not use such formal words in Shopping reports. It may throw the editors off, lol

I did not use that word in a shop report. I never would.

I am quite used to getting "would you put that in English, please" from my friends and neighbors.



cease

sandyf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ceasesmith Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Has anyone ever actually had a report sent back
> > for incorrect grammar, lack of clarity,
> whatever?
> > The only ones I've ever had returned were
> because
> > I needed to submit more/different photos. I
> have
> > never
> > been notified that I've been "dinged" for
> grammar
> > or spelling. Do they even tell us if our
> > grammar/spelling has been corrected by the
> > proofreader/editor?
> >
> > cease
>
> Yes...not sent back but corrected by one of the
> nicer shop companies who are forgiving. I was
> told that Carnitas is a singular not a plural.
> After the second time I now remember but I mostly
> change my wording around to avoid using was or
> were. I was also told the establishment is a
> restaurant and not a store. I guess I was using
> the generic word store ...shorter to write over
> and over and to me any retail brick and mortar
> place is a store of some kind. This was fast food
> and not a sit down.
> Luckily they still seem to like my reports even
> though I thought carnitas was a plural...


LOL!!!

Guess next time I'll try to order JUST ONE CARNITAS, please!



cease

I am totally in favor of the formal/informal theory. I attempt to speak "Queens English" at work, amongst my true friends, I could probably make a sailor blush. When I am not at work, correcting myself, when talking or writing is just too much work. We would just have to part ways.

Its hard enough to translate English to American, (no not being funny- Trash/rubbish rubber/eraser) not to mention taking out all the bothersome U's in colour, labour or the s to z changes-apologize/apologise. Rearranging the sentence structure to be understood.

I can also be too literal, when the question asks what was recommended, it means they stated "this is the plan for you" not "we have two choices-pick one".

But I can not get over the use of gotten & guesstimate. I literally cringe at gotten. Are you guessing or estimating? One you just pulled numbers out your A***** the other is based on some form of experience or fact.

The only person I correct without being invited each time or paid, is hubby, and thats because he asked me to, he has dysgraphia, dyslexia and dyscalculia. Even though he has the memory of an elephant, and can dictate a letter that sounds like he had an Oxford education, his writing looked like a 3 year olds. It was almost painful to watch him trying to put the pen on paper to start a word. Finally, at 32 someone else convinced him to get tested. Turns out the little snot is actually a brainiac with a high IQ, now he has almost finished college with a double major, graphic arts/technology and conversational Chinese, (he is avoiding math still).

My point is, you can't judge a person based on such vagaries, oh & I still refuse to put a "," after the word and..............never ever gonna happen! :-)

I too am often very tempted to make corrections to the grammar and spelling of the MSC's - their websites, guidelines and shop listings. But then I remember that it is grace that I need to demonstrate. The very definition of grace is "an unmerited gift." Well, it is my "gift" to them that I do NOT draw attention to their errors. Under those circumstances, as in life in general, people will most often take offense. Some do more easily than others.
As I've gotten older, I find that it takes far more strength NOT to point out the mistakes of others than it does to be critical or judgmental.

rme623, your post gave me pause. Grace. We should all strive to demonstrate this and I, for one, shall start now.

Thank you.

(heart)


rme623 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I too am often very tempted to make corrections to
> the grammar and spelling of the MSC's - their
> websites, guidelines and shop listings. But then I
> remember that it is grace that I need to
> demonstrate. The very definition of grace is "an
> unmerited gift." Well, it is my "gift" to them
> that I do NOT draw attention to their errors.
> Under those circumstances, as in life in general,
> people will most often take offense. Some do more
> easily than others.
> As I've gotten older, I find that it takes far
> more strength NOT to point out the mistakes of
> others than it does to be critical or judgmental.

grantph, I'm with you on 'gotten' and 'guestimate', especially the latter. I also like that BBCAmerica ad, that proclaims, "We speak English".

You are aware what a 'rubber' is over here, though, right? I mean, you've been here long enough and all? So yeah, be sure you always say/write 'eraser'. Heh.

Seems like the high-IQ types often have some type of learning disability... not always, of course; but quite often you hear of people with those sorts of difficulties finding out they're eggheads in the IQ department.



Edited to fix spelling error. *gasp!*
Also to admit that I sometimes do use "gotten". Just like I sometimes say "ain't"


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/2014 04:13AM by Stormcloud.

Grantph, I like your post! So refreshing to hear it properly referred to as "the Queen's English" -- we
Colonials so often seem stuck in 1776, with constant (and incorrect!) references to "the King's English".

And don't forget lift vs. elevator! Boot for the trunk of a car. Much hilarity in the differences! I believe "faggot" is a type of meat, and "fag" may be a cigaret?



cease

HeatherC Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ceasesmith Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Oh, I'm self-employed -- I AM THE BOSS!

You may think you are the boss but you are NOT! You can SUGGEST your opinion and knowledge to your client but in the end lasting relationships with clients require that they have the FINAL satisfaction. Even if you think it is wrong resist the urge to say, "I told you so." when your opinion proves to be the better choice.

Zig Zigler said it best. You can have anything in life you want if you will just HELP enough other people GET WHAT THEY WANT. I have been using that logic long before I was aware of Zig Zigler's quote with one small but very important addition. You must be cheerful and have integrity. If you cheat or abuse those you serve you will have an uphill hike to success.

Even with integrity and good cheer, the hike to success is uphill!



cease

Will Rogers thought very little of using proper English. He thought grammar was his parents female parents that’s why he called them grammar and look where it got him.

For those who are too young to know of Will Rogers..Google him!

Some time you have to depart from the queen's English to create your personality. Quit being picky and let things slide. Pointing out faults only annoys those that you try to correct. When I communicate with people I get on a similar level as it is more comfortable for the person I am communicating with and myself.

sandyf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes...not sent back but corrected by one of the
> nicer shop companies who are forgiving. I was
> told that Carnitas is a singular not a plural.
> After the second time I now remember but I mostly
> change my wording around to avoid using was or
> were. I was also told the establishment is a
> restaurant and not a store. I guess I was using
> the generic word store ...shorter to write over
> and over and to me any retail brick and mortar
> place is a store of some kind. This was fast food
> and not a sit down.
> Luckily they still seem to like my reports even
> though I thought carnitas was a plural...


And don't forget they're crew members not employees. For some reason I have problems with that one. Repeatedly. :/

Lol is right. I thought you wanted a job to shop. Who cares go for the money! Give them what they want and go on, your not running the business.

I still pause and feel confused for a bit when I hear someone say torch instead of flashlight.

ceasesmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Grantph, I like your post! So refreshing to hear
> it properly referred to as "the Queen's English"
> -- we
> Colonials so often seem stuck in 1776, with
> constant (and incorrect!) references to "the
> King's English".
>
> And don't forget lift vs. elevator! Boot for the
> trunk of a car. Much hilarity in the differences!
> I believe "faggot" is a type of meat, and "fag"
> may be a cigaret?
>
>
>
> cease

I was watching that SPLENDID BBC show, "Call the Midwife" on PBS the other night...and one nursing sister said to another, "hush, now, and eat your faggot and mash".

Made me giggle.



cease

ohhh ! this is happend..........

Change your username to CeaseFire!

StormCloud, the other disability may be just a common belief. I do know very smart people, however, who have some kind of brain disability, but none of them are in my Mensa organization. I haven't renewed my membership in several years, though, because they meet about 50 miles away and the cost isn't cheap. Some people promote seven types of "intelligences". These include music, sports, etc., not just the pass-the-test intelligence. Some people are very intelligent but not good test takers. Mensa will accept scores on any test but they give one that is very visual. Recently, a small child passed that one with flying colors.

ceasesmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Shop2LiveinFL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Wow! And I thought I was anal retentive.
>
> Oh, but missing that question was the difference
> between a perfect score on the English portion of
> the SAT -- and a not perfect score.
>
>
>
> cease

Your ego doesn't pay the bills!

Sandra Sue, please, got to know: how much money does a person save each year not being a member of Mensa? And what would be the purpose of Mensa meetings? Do they make one smarter?

It is a social club. I doubt that the speakers are any different from those of any other social club. There is certainly not anything in my experience that would make us think we are all conversing at a higher level, lol. Even if the subject is technical, it doesn't appear to be intellectual. I haven't been to a meeting in about five years. I still keep in touch with some of them. The fee probably isn't any greater than that of another national organization. The meetings were at 7:30 on a Friday night 50 or so miles from home, then they had Aftermath, which I didn't have to go to if I didn't want to, but it was where we went somewhere to snack and chat. There is also a weekly lunch meal. There are SIG's, Special Interest Groups. They might be for discussion such as a Bible SIG for Christians, or it might be Shooting Sports, which the local one has. There are also game nights, an annual picnic in a park, and there is a discussion group about significant events which I believe attracts 30-somethings. There are also regional gatherings, which I never was able to attend. It is not much different from (fill in a name) any local group but the distance was too much for me, and since at the time I was also in other organizations, it was the one to drop because of cost. If my family had been interested in joining and going with me, it would have made a big difference in my enjoyment.

The odd thing is that five or six of us Mensans were sitting in a restaurant one time for an occasion other than Aftermath, and we discovered that every one of us had failed a class in high school. For one, it was Science 101, but when it got to the interesting stuff, he began making A's. For another, it was focusing all the attention on the favorite courses. Does that tell you that classes for the gifted and talented are needed? Why be made to feel like a failure when you are a brainiac?

As another aside, in my last high school, the administration discovered that we were the first class to be almost entirely college bound, so they separated us by ability and those of us who were intending to go to college got what later became known as gifted classes.

One year, I chaired the scholarship committee. A student did not have to be a member to enter. I scoured the bushes for applicants. Having worked in schools, primarily as a substitute, and having helped our sons through that network, I wanted to avoid having teachers or guidance counselors pick the applicants. (Most of the time we homeschooled.) I not only sent notices to the guidance counselor, but to the school in general, the English department, and to the school paper as well as all newspapers, daily and weekly, in the region. The area pulled from was regional since the nearest other Mensa club is over 100 miles away. I contacted youth groups, ethnic organizations, church groups, and everybody I could find to send a letter to. If I remember correctly, we only spent an afternoon judging so there weren't very many essays. (I have heard from other groups that it is hard to get an essay or entry of any kind for a scholarship. One of our sons won a contest for volunteers--without an essay--because he was the only applicant. When my mother was widowed for the second time, she sponsored a scholarship for her husband at the college where he taught and eventually dropped it because of few applicants. I know of a local community college that has few applicants, and I believe that the college where my sister teaches has had no applicants for scholarship essays in the past.) Each essay for Mensa was read by three committee members, then the scores from the three judges were totaled.

Several fellow Mensans are pun-a-holics and make me laugh til I cry.

We are also avid (to avoid the use of the word "fanatical"!) Scrabble players.

My favorite part is the scholarships. We do many fundraising activities to raise the money; we have fun at all of them.

Once I went to a school to present the scholarship program to an English teacher. She said "we don't have any pupils in this class capable of writing such an essay". I then made the presentation to the school's principal; she said the exact same thing! I took umbrage.

Really, if a teacher and/or principal thinks their kids are not capable...wow, what a very, very sad
thing that is! How can kids "rise to expectations" if they are expected to FAIL?

Very sad.

cease

nycrocks Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ceasesmith Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Shop2LiveinFL Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Wow! And I thought I was anal retentive.
> >
> > Oh, but missing that question was the
> difference
> > between a perfect score on the English portion
> of
> > the SAT -- and a not perfect score.
> >
> >
> >
> > cease
>
> Your ego doesn't pay the bills!

I'm not sure what ego has to do with doing the right thing.

cease

Cease, this was exactly why I took the choice of who could apply for the scholarship out of school personnel hands by publicizing widely. Even someone who isn't responding well in school can rise to the occasion occasionally.

It reminds me of preparing the children for a club trip one time when they had to prove they were interested by turning in papers. The club didn't seem interested in the trip. When we got there, we found out that the rest of the club had been invited to go by a parent leader who was a school teacher. We were homeschooling. That club had a lot of turnover among children who were not made to feel welcome so we took on that duty, too. It didn't work much with only two children doing the welcoming.

I understood the first paragraph (although it sounded a little elitist), but the second was above (or beyond) me.....

(heart)

I think you misunderstood, stilllearning. Just because someone says she is in Mensa does not mean you can't understand, unless of course I really messed up on explaining. You are calling my rationalization elitist and not what the teachers did, right? I wanted to open the contest to any student who wanted to apply. I think teachers sometimes pick and choose, or that they overlook someone who is trying hard who might have a really good essay once in awhile. (It also meant that homeschoolers could apply. Our children were discriminated against in a scholarship because they weren't in a "brick and mortar" school, but received others.) I don't think that scholarships should be for A students only. In fact, there are many scholarships that aren't. Having worked in schools, I have noticed that teachers still pick favorites as they did when I was in school. Having someone in a school self-appoint himself or herself to be our pre-selection person would have been wrong. The Mensa scholarship is also for any student, not just for students who are Mensa members.

In the second paragraph, I was saying that a public school teacher discriminated against homeschoolers in planning a club trip. Our children were some of them. In that club, children who were Hispanic and one Jewish child didn't stay long. I noticed the turnover among visitors who weren't white. The other homeschoolers and our family hung in there. My children had the hardest time.

I'm sorry, I may have misinterpreted what you said. If you were saying you wanted all students to be equally eligible, without having to be nominated, I totally agree.

(heart)

grantph, you remind me of some English friends who stopped to take photos of a fanny pack display when they first went shopping here. But then, I guess that's no different than the time I was in the grocery store and uploaded a photo of a can of Spotted Dick to my FB page.