Quote:
Originally posted by Pretty Little Flower
I missed a few minutes here and there due to pressing client business, but I do not recall the "assistance" story, although I can just imagine what he would say about that phrase. The second one rings a bell. Give me more details.
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Both relate to his stay in a hotel in Detroit. The woman at the check in counter greeted him by saying, "How may I be of assistance?" That led to him telling us that she simply should have asked him, "How may I help you?" She then noted something about the "garahhh," which, she explained, was the proper way to pronounce "garage." She learned that from her manager, who had spent time in France. I don't recall whether Garner went on a diatribe with her as to why that was incorrect, or just us. I do recall that being one of the launching points for his discussion of some book about class in America, how we should not read it (wink, wink), and how people in lower social classes, in their efforts to use big words so that they will appear as if they are from a higher social class, often mangle grammar and syntax.
