Hey guys:

This is the problem with any language (and one of the things I have broght
frowns and gales of laughter with in conversations other than my native
English).  Most languages (especially English) are highly idiomatic.  In
other words, we have an expression like:

"It can't compare"

And in English, it very clearly means that it is "inferior".  However, the
strict "dictionary" translation is totally different than the colloquial use
of the phrase.  (thus Pierre's response)

Simple case of miscommunication.  This is also one of the things that can
make doing business internationally such a challenge.

Everyone that has taken Marketing 101 knows the story of the Chevy Nova's
success in Mexico and Latin America...  ("No va" means "doesn't go" or
"won't go" in Spanish).  It took Chevy a while to understand why their cars
just wouldn't sell down there!!   :-)

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA

----- Original Message -----
From: "pierre a. lachance" <palachance@ccapcable.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2000 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: Skylight Guy or Bus Depot??friday?

> dear Ron
> as I use  english as a second  language, I often think in french,  then
> translate... this time  I thought you might be right  with the first  real
> meaning  of the verb compare, in english:   but,  webster dictionnary
page
> 297, defines that   " Compare"  means to regard as similar, to examine in
> order to discover similarities... nothing inferior in there?  since I do
not
> know the products you are selling , I could not compare your product with
> Guy's...     But it seems that you understood   the second meaning of
> compare, that is " to be worthy of comparison",  well,  I hope that this
> will  end our chain of letters for the best of both of us, since I am not
> the type to insult people. I try to buy canadians made,  that is all, and
> I just like to read all the VW or  vanagon " whatever" for the fun and
> pleasure of having owned severals myself since 1970...
> pierre a. lachance
> lac beauport quebec
> www.geocities.com/lachancepa/
>
>
>
> >  > Sorry, cannot compare with Bus depot
> >
> > You actually said that mine was inferior and "cannot compare" - your
> words -
> > without even having seen it.  Such a statement is irresponsible.
> >
> > - Ron Salmon
> >   The Bus Depot, Inc.
> >   http://www.busdepot.com
> >   (215) 234-VWVW
>