The Wired has some examples of how the usage of words is causing conflict in the globalized world. It narrates how the word intimation (meant as in correspondence or notice, not as in intimidation or intimacy) was taken in offense. I have made the same mistake before. Another example I find hard to overcome is my usage of the term dress. See, the word "Dress" in India is used as synonym for clothing -- for men and women. So to say "My wife bought me a dress", is normal and not queer.
I interact a lot with customers from Europe, and I am guilty of ridiculing them behind their back for their bad English, mannerisms and habits. Some examples.
- I think the exclamation marks are on sale in Switzerland! They use them unnecessarily, and meaninglessly!!
- Have you noticed how many times the German executives will say "I appreciate your sentence." What the heck is that?
- Some Europeans write the date as 10.10.2002. On my computer that is a bad date. Guys, I understand the stuff about day and month order, but what kind of computers do you use over there?
- So many different people in so many different countries can't be misspelling "Which" as "Witch". I think they are being anti-English.
