eptivity

1. Lemonade. First, there is “traditional lemonade,” like regular-type US lemonade. Then there is “lemonade,” the generic term for lemon-lime soda, which is what one typically requests if one wants Sprite or 7-Up. Then there is the “lemonade” made by Schweppes, which actually says “lemonade” on the label, but is sparkling and lemon flavored and tastes a bit like Alka-Seltzer, rendering it disgusting; if one is ordering in a restaurant where, say, they serve Coke in the bottle, chances are they will also serve the Schweppes lemonade, so one must be careful.

2. Whilst Stephan has health insurance through his work, I am left to take full advantage of socialized health care, and so am trying to register with a GP (general practitioner, who I believe works out of a surgery. I still have to figure out who gets called “doctor” and who doesn’t). I had this telephone conversation yesterday:
“Hi, I’d like to register as a patient.”
“I’m sorry; you’ll have to come down and fill out some forms.”
“Okay, great. Can you tell me where you’re located?”
“Sorry…I’m not really familiar with the area….”
“…[!!]…Okay, well, can you tell me what street you’re on?”
“We’re on Prouds Lane, by the police station.”

I’m sorry: what? How is it that you don’t know where your place of employment is located? I assume that you don’t actually live in the same building and would therefore have to travel to said location frequently. And since this is the kind of business where every one of your customers will have to appear in person at some point, shouldn’t it maybe be policy to have some kind of directional advice onhand? Also, the police station is on an entirely different street.

I tell you, it’s like an entirely different country over here.