People Don't Want to Dress Up Any More? Of Course They Do.

[balf]

Obviously you have something interesting to report here, but my limited facilities for decoding what that might be beg you to season what you wrote with punctuation. Thanks.

 

While I agree that a deep breath is needed for the post, the guidelines request us not to comment on spelling, punctuation etc.

 

David.

[Whitemarsh]

While I agree that a deep breath is needed for the post, the guidelines request us not to comment on spelling, punctuation etc.

 

David.

 

If we're not allowed to alert the poster to the difficulties in understanding their posts (which is different from snidely commenting on a missing comma - the likely intent of the guidelines) perhaps you might like to translate the posts for us?

[Thaxted]

The problem, as Whitemarsh points out, goes deeper than broken syntax and sporadic punctuation. What, for example, are we to make of what Mercury says about the dress code? Is our poster angry that it has been "trashed"? So it would seem. But Mercury also calls those who uphold the dress code delusional. Is Mercury actually celebrating the trashing?

 

Some of you may remember that it was only a few weeks ago that the same poster had this to say: Quote:

Originally Posted by mercury51

By clothes I meant when we were flying the clipper planes we dressed as if we were at a christening at one of the manor houses. Now look around even in first class it is relax and comfortable. This is the future either get with it or stay home and dress up in front of your mirror.

 

In Roman mythology, Mercury was the messenger of the gods. Perhaps our poster needs to figure out what the message is before announcing it to the world.

[pmb1]

While I agree that a deep breath is needed for the post, the guidelines request us not to comment on spelling, punctuation etc.

 

David.

David, no one enjoys stomping hard on abominations such as "between you and I" more than I do, but I do try to follow that guideline (mostly). I wasn't commenting on mercury51's punctuation; I was stating "I don't understand what you are saying."

[balf]

If we're not allowed to alert the poster to the difficulties in understanding their posts (which is different from snidely commenting on a missing comma - the likely intent of the guidelines) perhaps you might like to translate the posts for us?

 

I am sure you are as able to get the gist of the post as well as me.

 

We are all guests here and anyway I didn't make the rules.

 

David.

[AnnieC]

I am sure you are as able to get the gist of the post as well as me.

 

David.

 

Shouldn't that be 'I'?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'll get me coat.

[balf]

Shouldn't that be 'I'?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'll get me coat.

 

By, and turn the light out on your way.

 

David.

[Cats2010]

Shouldn't that be 'I'?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'll get me coat.

 

Isn't it reflexive (me)?

[balf]

And for anyone who shouldn't get the gist of the offending post, this may help.

 

"Most of the posters here are so up Cunard that they don't choose to see the reality.

 

He is sailing on QM2 now.

 

He has been to dinner on a semi formal night and was appalled to see men

In short sleeve shirts with napkins tucked into their collars.

 

The ship does not have an ATM.

 

He had to carry his luggage aboard himself because he was told it was not luggage.

 

He is impressed with the library.

 

The best thing about the ship is the fact that it is an ocian liner, the rest is fantasy.

 

 

 

Full stops or not, he wasn't likely to get a welcome here with sentiments like that

however well put.

 

David.

[pmb1]

By, and turn the light out on your way.

 

David.

Shouldn't that be "bye"?

[Pushka]

I am sure you are as able to get the gist of the post as well as me.

 

We are all guests here and anyway I didn't make the rules.

 

David.

 

Actually, I didn't get the gist of it at all. So thanks for the translation. When something is poorly written and has similes which may be culturally different, I am time poor so generally I don't bother trying to translate.

[fantasy51]

Isn't it reflexive (me)?

 

Balf wrote: I am sure you are as able to get the gist of the post as well as me.

 

My understanding of the grammar behind this is that if he had written it in full, he would have said '... you are as able ... as I am'. Even though that verb is left out, we still keep the form of 'I' rather than using 'me'.

 

(I love grammar; I am pointing this out not to correct but rather to answer the question.)

[Louise D]

The dress code is trashed. When I was in casino everyone said it was because the Germans were only on for two days . Who knows will report later . Interesting thing 9 days three formal nights

 

I can't work out whether this post is intended to mean that unspecified "Germans" are responsible for the decline in the dress standards, or whether the poster laments the fact that "Germans" were only on board for 2 days and thereafter the dress standards dropped.

[Cats2010]

Balf wrote: I am sure you are as able to get the gist of the post as well as me.

 

My understanding of the grammar behind this is that if he had written it in full, he would have said '... you are as able ... as I am'. Even though that verb is left out, we still keep the form of 'I' rather than using 'me'.

 

(I love grammar; I am pointing this out not to correct but rather to answer the question.)

 

Thanks, I love grammar, too, and when I began studying English years ago it was "me". I noticed, however, that in the meantime there was a "change" to "I". There should be an official publication. I would like a final definition, but have no time at the moment to find it.

 

Greetings :)

[Whitemarsh]

The problem, as Whitemarsh points out, goes deeper than broken syntax and sporadic punctuation. What, for example, are we to make of what Mercury says about the dress code? Is our poster angry that it has been "trashed"? So it would seem. But Mercury also calls those who uphold the dress code delusional. Is Mercury actually celebrating the trashing?

 

Some of you may remember that it was only a few weeks ago that the same poster had this to say: Quote:

Originally Posted by mercury51

By clothes I meant when we were flying the clipper planes we dressed as if we were at a christening at one of the manor houses. Now look around even in first class it is relax and comfortable. This is the future either get with it or stay home and dress up in front of your mirror.

 

In Roman mythology, Mercury was the messenger of the gods. Perhaps our poster needs to figure out what the message is before announcing it to the world.

 

It would be helpful if the messages were clearer.

 

In this post Mercury51 makes the following announcement:

 

Most of the scams happen when u engage with someone go about ur business if a child fall walk around it one thought be careful when u take pictures while you hands are up holding the camera they r taking ur wallet

 

Reading the above I was able to ascertain the following:

 

It seems that couples should be wary of getting engaged, as this seemingly happy occasion is when most of the scams occur. Unfortunately we are not advised which scams in particular to be wary of.

 

Children are advised to go about their business - which seems to be good advice. Too often children are seen dillydallying around the shops or other 'hang-outs'.

 

We are also cautioned about taking pictures - "be careful" - as it seems that photography involves dangers not immediately apparent. Thankfully, we appear to have been provided with the steps required to prevent injury: we are advised to "fall walk around it" which I presume refers to the camera and outlines the steps we must take to protect ourselves.

 

Sadly, it turns out that even our extremities cannot be trusted in the deceptively innocent pastime of photography. Our hands, whilst seemingly held in front of us to hold the camera, are in fact taking our wallets!

 

I am not 100% certain that these are the messages that mercury51 intended to convey, clarification would be welcome.

[Aussieflyer]

I think your interpretation is possibly well off the mark ;)

One problem seems to be that Mercury uses a texting style which I find hard to follow.

 

The gist seems to be:

Don't engage with anyone because they will scam you

If a child falls over near you, do not help

Do not take photos as when you have both hands holding the camera your wallet is being stolen.

 

I wonder why Mercury bothers to go on holidays at all given their level of distrust. Remember the ad we had about being alert not alarmed? Mercury seems to be past alarmed even.

 

and I agree - I could not work out the other posts from this poster about dress standards. I have no idea what they meant, especially with the comments about Germans and trashed dress standards.

[balf]

It would be helpful if the messages were clearer.

 

.

 

Yes it would, but there could be many reasons why someone can't write to your standards, I won't give examples because you will know them as well as I/me (delete whichever one you wish)

 

David.

[Whitemarsh]

I think your interpretation is possibly well off the mark ;)

One problem seems to be that Mercury uses a texting style which I find hard to follow.

 

The gist seems to be:

Don't engage with anyone because they will scam you

If a child falls over near you, do not help

Do not take photos as when you have both hands holding the camera your wallet is being stolen.

 

I wonder why Mercury bothers to go on holidays at all given their level of distrust. Remember the ad we had about being alert not alarmed? Mercury seems to be past alarmed even.

 

and I agree - I could not work out the other posts from this poster about dress standards. I have no idea what they meant, especially with the comments about Germans and trashed dress standards.

 

I'm secretly pleased that my interpretation of mercury51's announcement is possibly inaccurate; I was really uncomfortable with the idea that my hands might be stealing from me.

 

I take your point regarding mercury51's level of awareness and apparent distrust. Quite possibly she is aware of an Amber Alert that we are not party to.

 

When it comes to the Germans, I fear that your guess is as good as mine. The only option we haven't explored is that the cautionary tale about the Germans is in fact a parable and not about Germans at all.

[fantasy51]

Thanks, I love grammar, too, and when I began studying English years ago it was "me". I noticed, however, that in the meantime there was a "change" to "I". There should be an official publication. I would like a final definition, but have no time at the moment to find it.

 

Greetings :)

 

Hi Cats. I've just hunted through 4 grammar / style books and could not find a definitive answer! None of them even mentioned this situation. Fowler talked about other instances where me and I are wrongly used, but not this one.

[Thaxted]

I'm secretly pleased that my interpretation of mercury51's announcement is possibly inaccurate; I was really uncomfortable with the idea that my hands might be stealing from me.

 

I take your point regarding mercury51's level of awareness and apparent distrust. Quite possibly she is aware of an Amber Alert that we are not party to.

 

When it comes to the Germans, I fear that your guess is as good as mine. The only option we haven't explored is that the cautionary tale about the Germans is in fact a parable and not about Germans at all.

 

If it is a parable, perhaps it was inspired by one of Kafka's. After all, it is obscure, vaguely unsettling, and open to endless interpretation. But perhaps there is yet another and far simpler option that we haven't explored. Could it be that what we have is a tale told by someone who is very confused signifying nothing?

[Calliope]

If it is a parable, perhaps it was inspired by one of Kafka's. After all, it is obscure, vaguely unsettling, and open to endless interpretation. But perhaps there is yet another and far simpler option that we haven't explored. Could it be that what we have is a tale told by someone who is very confused signifying nothing?

 

 

Yes, Kafka it must be! There is no sound and fury. I do tend to believe it's more cautionary in nature. It certainly doesn't rise to the level of The Bard, not at all!

[Alibobs]

I disembarked the QM2 yesterday. I intend to write a review of the trip (which we absolutely loved) and post in the review section but regarding the dress codes, here's my twopenn'orth

 

In general I thought that the dress code was upheld by 99% of the passengers. What I think was different was that the trip was made up of several different legs, there were some passengers from the States doing a 30 day voyage, us Brits doing a 16 day voyage,passengers from Germany doing 12 days and then the 2 day Hamburg/Southampton trips. On the leg we were on the passengers were predominately German, then British, then American then various other nationalities. There was a huge interpretation of the dress code but the overwhelming majority appeared to interpret it in their own way

Fashion and culture in each country are SO different! It does not make it wrong or right, just different and I think we should respect this.

I was ashamed to hear several fellow Brits talking about other nationalities in a very bigoted way and thinking they were being very funny

The 2 day trips were challenging for me only because so many people got on, obviously and quite rightly very excited. As they were _only on the ship for a short time they did rather run around trying to see and do everything and generally getting in my way!!! I cannot blame them for this, if I was in the same situation I would want to see as much as I could. The bar staff seemed pleased as they spent a lot of money, again I can understand this. The cabin stewards not so much as a lot of extra work for them

[Pushka]

So, five or six sea days seem like a great idea for a ship like QM2.

[Whitemarsh]

So, five or six sea days seem like a great idea for a ship like QM2.

 

They are. :)

[balf]

s. There was a huge interpretation of the dress code but the overwhelming majority appeared to interpret it in their own way

Fashion and culture in each country are SO different! It does not make it wrong or right, just different and I think we should respect this.

 

Could you expand on this please. What form did the interpretation take.

 

Not that I am against this, far from it, but the code does not seem to allow much deviation.

 

David