creeping americanisation

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

I left school in 1978 - we didn't have a prom or a disco, we had a fight with the rival school in the next village.

Sounds familiar, our school badge as worn by the 3 nerds in the first year was a red cross with one of the letters SABS in each quarter. St Augustines battered Southlands. As I said no leaving do for us. Although one of the lads lived on a farm near to the school and had a tractor mounted welder. So gates welded shut with all teachers cars behind.

[Sir Trev]

Didn't have anything at school in 1985 or college in 1987. Was a do organised in 1991 for graduation but it was a BALL - black tie for us chaps and the girls dressed up too. As it was the end of four years of student poverty and we were hardly kids any more it was not about showing off or spending lots. Thankfully.

I can imagine some of my daughter's friends taking it too seriously when they get to that stage - currently 14 so not too long now. Groan...

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by DJFridge

Sorry, I'm with Quedos on that one. What the f is a valedictory night? We had an end of year disco (which was sh1te btw).

Still, well done for spelling americanisation with an s, not a z. My pet hate is having to constantly add words to the dictionary on my browser because it underlines anything that isn't spelled the American way. And, while I'm ranting, colour has a u in it, as does honour, valour etc, etc

You COULD just set your dictionary to "British English" (may be English (UK))

no?

Besides its not just the Yanks that like to lose letters.

Essex hasn't seen an "h" or a "th" in decades...

Originally Posted by Bedhead

Aren't a great many of you practically French?

Actually, it's a common misconception. Only about 1/10 people is french, and they only stick to Quebec. Thank god for that.....

Originally Posted by tweakedtay

Actually, it's a common misconception. Only about 1/10 people is french, and they only stick to Quebec. Thank god for that.....

On a completely random note, the friends I am house sitting for are currently in Calgary. They found a street on the map called "Shaganappi" and we think this is hilarious and they are gonna try and find it and get a pic....

Anyway, piece of random info for you there!

Originally Posted by Balky001

I thought it was gitten?

End of term disco for me in 1984. But last day at school was eggs flour and marker pens

That was the year I was born! Great year, I tell you!

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

You COULD just set your dictionary to "British English" (may be English (UK))

no?

Besides its not just the Yanks that like to lose letters.

Essex hasn't seen an "h" or a "th" in decades...

The amount of people that call me "ong" instead of Hong is downright evil. I'm told by people round here that I speak posh just because I pronounce letters!

Crazy.

Our leavers do (not prom, not valesomething) our group of friends all chipped in for a Limo (about 10 of us) and I saved up my own money (worked part time nights in Year 11) to buy my own suit.

That's how the "poor" kids coped.

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

On a completely random note, the friends I am house sitting for are currently in Calgary. They found a street on the map called "Shaganappi" and we think this is hilarious and they are gonna try and find it and get a pic....

Anyway, piece of random info for you there!

It's named after an aboriginal (or fist nations) tribe from the area.
It's on the north side of the city, it's a major road, shouldn't be too hard to find and snap a pic

We've had proms a while now, you really don't have to spend a fortune but some people seem to think you do and it's daft.

Originally Posted by timwilky

But at the end of the day. Why are parents put on the spot to pay out a fortune for their kids to have a night out at a local hotel.

I believe I fell in this "poor" category you speak of, my parents didn't pay a penny but I still attended our end of year "prom" and yes we splashed out and got a limo to the hotel where the do was. I borrowed a dress and found the money because I had a job.

In my opinion a teenager at 6th form age should be paying for stuff themselves where at all possible and if you as a parent feel you have been put on the spot to cough up for it all then I'm sorry but tell them where to go. It's not like it's a spontaneous event that they can't save up for

Originally Posted by JamesMio

Anyone not from the USA that uses that bast@rdisation 'gotten' on here risks having their thumb snapped off with a ring spanner.

Haha brilliant

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

It's not like it's a spontaneous event that they can't save up for

Sums it up perfectly.

I held a job working in a factory at nights from end of year 10 til I left school, not becuase I needed it at the time, but I just fancied contributing to the house upkeep and stuff. I was a good boy

I see/know kids that left school 2-3 years ago (more even) and still doss about relying on mummy and daddy for everything and moaning they are always broke.

Having worked since I have been legally able to with my biggest employment gap being 6 weeks as I'd broke both my wrists, I guess I just dont see how young adults as they are supposed to be manage to survive the way they are.

I din't work when I was at school or Uni. My fourth year of uni I worked at the local function suite to get experience but that was it.