to have pointed out a spelling mistake in a menu?

[freckledleopard]

First off, I really don't think I was being unreasonable, but would like others' opinions please.

I went for drinks last night in a cafe I'd not been to before. The various food options were written on a blackboard above the tills. One of the options described sausages and "gravey". I didn't say anything initially - ordered my drink, thanked the server and went to my seat. Later in the evening, when ordering again, whilst waiting for my wine, I spoke to the same assistant and said, with a bit of a smile, "Sorry, I just wanted to point out that "gravy" is not spelled with an "e" in it". I smiled again to reiterate I was being friendly and added, "I just notice these things!" (which is true. I'm a lawyer and a pedant.)

The woman's demeanour immediately changed at this point. She said "well, I didn't write it, but I'll be sure to tell my dyslexic colleague that she spelled it wrong" (she really did emphasise the word dyslexic). Again, I smiled (awkwardly now) and repeated that I had a job that made me notice spelling errors. Again, she repeated that she would be sure to tell her "dyslexic colleague that she couldn't spell 'gravy'".

I paid for my drink and walked away blushing, feeling really pissed off. Frankly, if you're going to have a dyslexic colleague write the menus, surely it would be common sense to double check the spelling? Further, I always point out spelling and grammar mistakes on public signs and leaflets (and have been known to tweet companies whose packaging contains errors) so that the relevant people can correct them.

I'm still pissed off today (and yes, I appreciate it's a first world problem). But AIBU to think the assistant was rude, abrupt and should perhaps have graciously accepted what I said, maybe made a joke of it, rather than having a go at me?

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

They're just alternatives and either is fine. People sometimes come up with rules but I'm pretty sure there aren't any.

Some people think spelt/learnt and so on are a bit archaic, though.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

Btw, I don't get the issue either, alaska. I mean, it's a pity people don't get the education they need and feel ashamed so that they lie. 'I forgot my glasses' is the one I've heard often.

I don't think I've ever heard a dyslexic person feel offended that someone illiterate lied and said they were dyslexic, because most of us can remember feeling really embarrassed ourselves.

I do get furious about people who claim to be dyslexic and are perfectly capable, or people who self 'diagnose' but who actually don't have difficulties. But I can't get terribly worked up about someone who's illiterate and which lies they tell to cover their backs, because it is absolutely horrible to be an illiterate adult in today's society.

[aciddrops]

And it is highly likely that an illiterate person actually is dyslexic!

[AlaskaNebraska]

I dunno. Just interested that it's used as a get out fri literacy.

[AlaskaNebraska]

Agree glasses too. Often when person is holding glasses.

It could be undiagnosed dyslexia or just lack of education. Or both. You'd have to see the people I see to get it really.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

But why does it matter, alaska?

My mum taught illiterate adults for years. She worked for a dyslexia charity, but they knew very well that many people would be referred to them who weren't dyslexic. Of course, it wasn't rocket science to distinguish between the two - but it seems unpleasant to do so in anything other than an educational context, doesn't it?

[NigellasDealer]

yes it does really, but I guess it gives us somethiing to talk about; this thread could run and run!!!

Once I saw written on the wall in a South London market, "For toilits, tourn right true market"

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

That sounds wonderfully medieval. I'm envisaging the toilitis were primitive shitholes.

I used to love Leicester market - there's a large non-first-language-English population who've accepted the basics of greengrocers' stereotypical English, so you get 'yam's' and 'methi's'.

[LadyBeagleEyes]

I can't read anything without my glasses and sometimes forget them and occasionally ask for help, whether reading a menu or the small print in a supermarket.
Does this mean people think I'm lying and illiterate ?

[thebody]

The most shocking of the whole thread is the op had her wine 'served in a tumbler' that's a mystery.

Wonder what that tumbler had once held?

[HesterShaw]

False teeth?

[HesterShaw]

Sorry. Pissed suggestion

[thebody]

hope op spread her joy again today. Only joking op you actually sound quite funny.

[coralanne]

God, I receive letters from Lawyers, Solicitors etc. on a regular basis with incorrect spelling and grammar.

Do you not have better things to do with your time? Fair enough , notice the error, have a giggle and then get on with it.

Back in the dark ages, my first job entailed typing letters on an electric typewriter. This also included 4 or 5 carbon copies. This was all transcribed from shorthand taken at a breakneck speed or from a dictaphone .

I also went through secondary school without a single error in my spelling lists and came first in every English exam I sat.

I love reading stories my grandchildren have written. I don't care that they have spelling mistakes or that correct punctuation isn't used. I think it would be completely demoralising to point this out to them. I just congratulate them on the content of their stories.

I have come to the conclusion that most of the current generation are pretty much at the same level.

[RunRabbit]

I once saw a documentary that showed someone who went around the city correcting the spellings on everything, even graffiti. Wasn't you was it, freckledleopard?

[IceBeing]

you know as a result of this thread 'gravy' has started to look wrong to me...gah.

[freckledleopard]

RunRabbit - it wasn't me! But perhaps if the other person is on Mumsnet, we could join forces and start a regular spelling and grammar patrol of the cities (although I'd need childcare because DD has no inclination to join me on my crusade and would be hounding me on this thread and saying "no-one cares" )

[LessMissAbs]

Again, I'm left thinking this dislike of correction of bad spelling is a British cultural thing! I'm working abroad at present, and the Dutch/Belgian attitude towards incorrect spelling is far less tolerant. The average person seems capable if describing quite advanced rules of spelling and grammar taught to them in school - in English, their second language! eg subjugated nouns, past participles, indefinate articles.

I don't want to keep harping on about recent international league tables in reading and maths skills, but the Brits came pretty low down. So from reading this thread, this seems due to higher levels of dyslexia here?

[freckledleopard]

From my experience of France and the spellings that you see there, it does appear that people make fewer mistakes than they do here. Similarly, everything that is handwritten is done so with beautiful writing.

I think the French focus far more on rules, uniformity and learning by rote with the result that spelling, grammar and handwriting is far better in France than in England which I think is a far better approach than we have here.

[aciddrops]

I don't want to keep harping on about recent international league tables in reading and maths skills, but the Brits came pretty low down. So from reading this thread, this seems due to higher levels of dyslexia here?

Not higher levels of dyslexia here. It is just that the educationists think that dyslexics are thickos and aren't worth teaching properly. Alternatively, it could be that the British method of teaching reading and writing is not dyslexia friendly.

Don't get me started on it!

[MadameDefarge]

Set ways of spelling is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Shakespeare spelled his own name about 29 different ways.

France and Germany have a schematic approach to the language because they instituted Academies to homogonise spelling and grammar in the 19th century.

One of the reasons English is such a successful global language is its flexibility and it can change quite easily without losing sense.

We make up words all the time here on MN and in real life. Because we can and its fun.

[freckledleopard]

[SeaSickSal]

Being condescending and patronising and expecting to be grovellingly thankful for it. Niiiice.

[TSSDNCOP]

It was helpful sea in case the Michelin inspectors rocked up and demoted the caff for tumblers and excessive use of E's

[hmc]

I think you should get started on it aciddrops - I'll cheer you on from the sidelines