British folk have a tendency to overuse the words "bit" and "pop." It's probably the single most irritating feature of British english, and pretty much the bane of my existence. An old coworker of mine would talk like this all the time, much to my annoyance. For example...
"Oh we've got tons of little bits and pieces! Just have a look at all these bits and bobs over here!"
"I'll just have that bit over there, yeah that tiny bit, just pop it on the side."
"Sweets, would you just pop this bit in that drawer for me?"
"Just pop in whenever you like and we can pop out for a coffee or something!"
I hadn't thought of this for a while, until yesterday, when I received an email from a party promoter. I have reproduced the first part of it here for your enjoyment:
Hi,
I hope you are well and enjoying the wonderful sunshine we’re having.
I just wanted to pop you over a quick personal e-mail to let you know about the forthcoming events for xxxx, in hope that perhaps you might pop along. Anyone’s welcome to come along and it’s free to get in, so make sure you pop it in the diary and come down for a couple of drinks after work.
Every single time I go to Poland it rains, hails, snows, sleets, and there is just generally shit weather. And I've been about 6 or 7 times, so this sucks. But I'm not about to let some frigid rain get in the way of eating good Polish food. Any trip to Poland requires a cow-like stomach, because the food is delish, and the eatsies are plentiful. I think I ate about 5 meals a day on my last trip to Krakow, because I liked everything so much (but also because it was snowing and it was too cold to do too much else). Anyway, more to the point: I was in Poland recently to visit family for a 30th wedding anniversary. There was much merriment, and of course, not speaking very much Polish, I took comfort in my war-hero-killingly strong vodka drink, and copious amounts of marinated pork. 22 of us squeezed into the dining room, and the eating commenced at 4pm. 25 minutes later, after a starter, salad, main meal, and snacks, I sat back satisfied, holding my belly so I didn't explode. But no! there was more food coming! Everyone continued to eat until NINE PM! thats five hours of continuous eating. No breaks. I was amazed. I also couldn't move for the next day. The only downside was that at the time of farewells, after 3 kisses from each family member, I was accosted by one wife-of-an-uncle who went in for the kiss. . . ON MY LIPS. OH HELL NO. I saw it coming, and I tried to proffer my cheek instead, but she grabbed my face and planted a nasty wet smooch on my innocent, previously polish-aunty-untouched lips. I was so sad. My insightful fiance insisted that she was probably a hidden lesbian and had been waiting all her life to kiss a nice brown girl like me. Tragic.
In order that you too may enjoy the fun and oft-unintelligible singing, I offer you, the reader, a sneak peak into post-communist Polish life:
