| #ffffff;" /> | | | | is not due to a lack of manners, but is simply down to |
| Whilst a language barrier isn’t normally | | | | the fact that the preferred apologetic expression is in |
| something that you would factor in when | | | | fact, “shame.” |
| you’re planning your visit to Cape Town, | | | | Timings |
| there’s nothing like the oddities and | | | | Another typically British trait is the need to know at |
| colloquialisms of local vocabulary to completely | | | | exactly what time things are going to happen. Whether |
| confuse you and lead you right up the garden path, or | | | | it is what time an event will start, what time a train will |
| in this case, the Garden Route. | | | | leave, or what time it is necessary to leave the house, |
| Expressions of Interest | | | | everything runs on a timetable. Cape Town is a |
| There’s nothing more English, than the typical | | | | somewhat different experience and, as such, it is |
| response of “really?”, to almost | | | | important to be able to differentiate between |
| everything we hear or are told. No matter what the | | | | “just now” and “now |
| topic of conversation, we manage to sound | | | | now”. To the untrained ear, these two |
| successfully responsive thanks to this simple | | | | expressions would most likely mean one and the |
| expression of interest. However, in Cape Town, rather | | | | same thing, however this is not the case. If you are |
| than hearing “really”, you will find that | | | | told for example, that the bus to Cape Town is leaving |
| everybody answers you with the expression | | | | just now, don’t panic! This means that it will be |
| “is it?” This South Africanism is really | | | | leaving in the next little while. If on the other hand you |
| quite catching once you get used to it, but you may | | | | are told that it is leaving now now, the chances are |
| well find yourself scratching your head and wondering | | | | that you will need to get moving as it really is leaving |
| “is what?” for a while. | | | | now. These two expressions can cause much |
| Ps and Qs | | | | confusion and it is best to go by your watch where |
| Please, thank you and I’m sorry tend to be the | | | | possible. |
| three phrases you will always know well in advance of | | | | On the Road |
| going on holiday. However, whilst you may have these | | | | Whilst many things on the road in Cape Town will not |
| phrases prepared before you visit Cape Town, you | | | | take much getting used to, for example driving on the |
| may not be quite ready for the response you get. Do | | | | left hand side of the road, there is certainly some |
| not be alarmed if every time you thank somebody, | | | | terminology that is worth knowing. Most important of |
| they come back at you with the simple phrase | | | | these is undoubtedly the word for traffic lights. So, |
| “pleasure”. This is a common and quick | | | | when someone mentions robots, don’t be |
| way of acknowledging your thanks. Similarly, one word | | | | alarmed – there are no traffic police controlled |
| you may not hear as often as you expect in Cape | | | | robots chasing your vehicles. Robots are in fact a |
| Town is the word “sorry”. However, this | | | | common name for traffic lights in South Africa. |