To hate the term Playdate, aghhhhhh

[pigletmania]

That's it really, its so American, so aghghhhhh. Why cant it be like it was, going round to play! If I hear of that term again I will spontaniously combust .

Mineola I think I stopped being a good little "Ambassador" the day I was serving two women in Tesco, where I worked to help pay my way through university in Scotland (no, I did not want to take out an enormous loan). They chatted among themselves as they packed their shopping, abusing and mocking Americans as they went. I became sadder as I listened, and wondered: had I ever done this? Had I ever spent a happy 10 or 15 minutes with a friend, hating and mocking another group, who happened to be different from us? I hoped not.

By the time I asked for payment, they realised what assholes they had been when they heard my accent. They could see how upset I was, but it wasn't worth my time trying to change them.

This sort of thing does happen, quite often. Usually just when I forget that I'm "foreign", though I have a UK passport and chose to take UK nationality. Sometimes I wish I were some sort of obvious group, that is protected under anti-discrimination legislation.... or that it that wasn't fashionable to bash all things American.

It isn't personal JoInAmerica - the world can be a bit scathing about America - because the US is the a super power and holds all the cards. It's political. Britain used to experience the same - about 100 years ago (lol)- we used to call all the shots you know, until the end of the First World War (which sufficiently damaged the European economy as to alter the power hierarchy on the world stage). The loss of prestige takes some getting used to - even after a century!

Lol, JoInScotland (freudian slip previously)

(And realising she has contradicted one of her previous posts, she goes to bed....)

YanknCock - do you see it as an American-hating thread, really?
It hasn't been that bad, I thought - so far just a vent against the word 'playdate' (which has dubious origins, it seems) and not too much else. Sad for Mineola and all other Americans who have to put up with it in RL - and who feel "bashed" by this thread.

FWIW, I think perhaps the anti-americanism is down to fear - we fear the loss of English to americanisms because it is all-pervasive and seems to only go in one direction. That's not a good reason, but it is a reason.

Living in Australia now, the same is happening here too - with similar feelings among some people. Some things are already the same as in America (pants for trousers, for e.g.) and I confuse myself now trying to work out which word to use.

One word I am NEVER Going to Use EVER is "duds" for nappy. Especially not "filling his/her duds" which is beyond disgusting as a phrase.[blech]

Oh that was fun. Who knew? (I'm American).

While I have sympathy that "playdate" suggests overactive parenting, I think Mingg is right that many of us (certainly those that live in larger cities) are in denial: we wish our children played spontaneously and casually without advance planning, but in reality they don't and playing tends to be scheduled. No amount of verbal acrobatics to avoid using the word "playdate" is going to change that fact.

As for sleepover - it's a marvelous word, I don't care what you say. The fact that it is a noun makes all the difference - it makes it an event, one to be looked forward to and to be relished.

Yes, thumbwitch, it is and I do. (although I realize you were addressing Yank)

XKat: Have you encountered any Northern Irish people chatting about what a good time out they had, how great was "the Crack"?

Coz boy is that open to misinterpretation when they get around Americans.

I'm American and I feel decidedly un-bashed. But that's me, couldn't offend me if you tried. I don't like playdate either, it's prissy. But I say it, 'cause it's what we say here. So is sleepover, etc.

But I love British English and would be horribly sad if it was all Americanisms over there. If it makes you guys feel any better , I totally type in British English now as I spend so much time on mumsnet.

Yeah like totally like, Cheerful, you totally keep like doing that, girl, like.

(Don't mind me, I sold something for a pittance on Ebay and am feeling too "pissed" right now to go wrap it up like I am supposed to be doing... like ... alright, KICK up own bottom and time to get off of MN).

I think 'playdate' is a really anal term for neurotic mothers personally.

I don't feel bashed, either...I am just a little at the assumption that playdate is American...I just think it's a recent word, bourne out of lives that are now filled with mums who work, and children who are scheduled to the hilt with activities. I agree with CheerfulYank...it just sounds a bit prissy.

To make you all feel better: I am studying at a UK university, and in the first week, one of my very lovely lecturers advised me that I was expected to conform to British English writing standards. So, I do feel like I've learned another language! In addition, I've adapted to lots of small things (like holding knife and fork a certain way, etc.), so that my children, who are British and will start school here, will not stand out completely from their peers.

So, don't worry too much about the world becoming Americanised...some Americans in England are making some effort to Anglicise!

RedRedWine1980 said I think 'playdate' is a really anal term for neurotic mothers personally.

You know what RedRedWine1980 thinking about the mothers that I know who use the term - i think you are spot on.

The OP here, wow the last thing I wanted to stir up is American hatred, I should not have put the American bit in the op sorry for that. I just hate the word playdate thats all and thats all this thread is about. I know that there might be some anti American sentiment on here as a reaction mabey to the oil problem and the way its being dealt with by the Americans. This is not a thread about this just a light hearted discussion about that horrid word. I have family born in America and love the Country, so please be nice.

Thats great Cheerfulyank, I too use some Americanisms like the 'hi guys', and bathroom as it sounds nicer.

No worries, pigletmania...I don't think anyone got really offended...

Plus, now you know that playdate isn't necessarily an Americanism!

Yes I find the shopping exerience in America really good, the assistants are so polite and friendly unlike here sometimes. I think that now stores are copying the American assistants as they seem to be more friendly.

Thanks Eve . Yankcock if i wanted to start an American hating thread I would not be talking about Playdate . I am responisble for the op not what people write

yes, thumbwitch, it is and I do (as well). this is definitely an american bashing thread even if it started out light-hearted.

I used to take this kind of 'teasing' very personally when I moved here 13 years ago but now I just sigh and roll my eyes. it does get old after awhile. And, it ends up that people blame poor grammar like, 'I'm good' as being an 'americanism'. I've heard many a BBC journalist say 'I'm good' .

Also, cheerfulYank, being in America, why would you write in British English (outside of Mumsnet)? I had to alter my spelling when I moved here mainly because of British spellcheck and it would be wrong to write 'color' or 'neighbor'. when in Rome...

playdate = ghastly, ghastly, ghastly.
But at least it allows you to identify the sorts of parents to avoid

"allows you to identify the sorts of parents to avoid"

How nice Anna

Momino that's the spirit!
My family moved from the South East of England to Scotland and this has given me a greater understanding of being 'bashed' for one's origins. You can't take it too seriously.

Victoria Beckham and Peter Andre use this term.Enough said.

I use it and i am most definately not a neurotic mother!.i also am a sahm with 4 kids so its nothing to do with scheduling and working moms[sorry couldn't resist!].Its a quick useful word - thats all it is.Hasn't sleepover been in the modern vernacular for quite some time?.The english language has changed - even the queens voice has changed and don't teenagers speak a completely different language to the rest of us?."No worries" seems to be really common now - isn't it originally aussie?.But one thing i hate is "like" which my 11 year old dd used as a linking word for everything.I don't know whether it is american or just laziness - but she did go to an american school for years.she has now had to readapt to the uk system and yes the language and syllabus is very different.

Yeah. 'Cause there are, like, no neurotic or prissy English mothers. I mean mums. NOT moms. Oh no. There are no fucking bonkers LOONS just 'coming round' with their stiff upper children for, like, tea. Or to, like, just chuck them over the fence to PLAY in a Huck Finn, I mean Enid Blyton, manner.

Anyone who gets quite so upset about a word, need a date of some kind, IMO.