Two English questions – 1. “think Finland” vs. “think about Finland” 2. “an awkward customer” vs. “French”?
Question by Jennifer Roffuss: Two English questions – 1. “think Finland” vs. “think about Finland” 2. “an awkward customer” vs. “French”?
1. what is the difference between “think Finland” & “think about Finland”?
ie. i plan on booking a holiday. i’m __
a) thinking Finland
b) thinking about Finland
2. is “an awkward customer” commonly used to mean “a difficult customer”? also, do people use “French” to mean a difficult customer or an awkward customer?
thanks for helping me out
Best answer:
Answer by First L
1. In the context you gave, the two terms are synonymous. This is not true in all contexts, though, so when in doubt, use “thinking about …”
2. Awkward and difficult can be used synonymously here. No one outside of the UK would automatically think of calling a rude person “French” just because they were rude, unless they really were French.
What do you think? Answer below!
You wouldn’t use “think Finland” much in English. Maybe in the sentence, “If you want to see fjords, think Finland.” For your sentence, you would say, “I plan on booking a holiday (or vacation, in US English). I’m thinking about Finland.” or “I’m considering going to Finland.”
“Awkward customer” is not a phrase that I’ve heard of. We say “difficult” or “challenging” customer.
We don’t use “French” as an insult here in the US. We use “French” for food (French fries, French bread) and for an open-mouth kiss (French kiss). Also, a French chef is one who has studied in Paris and can make many fancy dishes.
Well each of these are incomplete sentences and it is up to the imagination to determine the meaning,
“think Finland” could be the prompt of someone who is helping you make a decision about where you might vacation.
“think about Finland” might mean this as well, or it might mean you should put your mind in thoughts of Finland, maybe think of the climate, the people, or the current events.
In your example a and b are the same, with certain words omitted for simplicity.
“I plan on booking a holiday. I’m…”
a) thinking (of going to) Finland
b) thinking about (going to) Finland
2. an awkward customer can be difficult, or unusual but not necessarily difficult
People would use “French” based on their notions and experiences with French people..as such it could be considered either derogatory, or complimentary. or neither.