Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Joanna Lo]

Dear teachers:
I have read a book "A Year In The MERDE" recently. And I have a question about the content.
Paul West is a character in literature. He is recruited by a French entrepreneur and given a one-year contract to come to Paris to plan and organize a chain of tea rooms which his employer wants to open in the French capital.
Paul wants to call the tea rooms "Tea Time", but his team, those French co-workers, insist on calling it "My Tea Is Rich".
They thought it is more "Englishism". The name made Paul crazy.

I am wondering that why the Englishman hate the name.
The word "rich" can be used on smell or flavour. Is it appropriate to use "My Tea Is Rich"? Thanks a lot.

Best wishes,
Joanna Lo

[pugachevV]

I doubt any Englishman would say: "My tea is rich."
It might amuse an Englishman that the French wanted to call a tea room by such a name.
As you probably know "merde" is the French word for S.H.I.T, so it was probably intended to point up the differences between the French and the English, which are many, varied, and often funny.

[Joanna Lo]

Thank you for the reply