do you have massage?
Whose story: Young-a
4th of July Fireworks in Pittsburgh
Last Sunday was the Independence Day, the day Americans commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Literally, it is America’s birthday. On the day, Jessy and I went to Ari’s house where we met another Korean couple. It has been a while for us to meet Korean people in my friends’ party. They moved a few months ago from Florida to Pittsburgh. One of the interesting things they told me to us is that they love Pittsburgh so much that they decided to buy a house. Do you know why? It is because they have not seen snow for about 6 years in Florida and finally they saw snow storms in Pittsburgh last Feb. I know most of the people in PGH do not like snow storms in winter. I think this tells me a good lesson.
We should enjoy what we have now instead of complaining about it because what you have is what other people are looking for.
I feel like there should be a good expression for this. Don’t we have?
After dinner, we all went to up to a hill in Schenley park to watch fireworks. Another question here! Why do you have fireworks on July 4th? Anybody knows the origin of this tradition?
After we all sit down on the hill, my new Korean friend, Young-a, told me a funny story related with English. One of her friends works at a clothing store and, one day, a customer came into the store and said, “Hey! Do you have massage?” She thought like, “What the heck is this guy talking about? This place is for clothings.” So, she asked to the customer, “What do you mean by massage? We do not have massage service here.” Then the customer enunciated, “No! No! I mean do you have my size?” Then, she finally realized what the customer was asking. Hearing it, I kind of agree that “my size” could sound like “massage” if you speak fast. What do you think?
A very common expression that means enjoying what you have now is:
“You shouldn’t take it for granted.”
I can’t think of a more colorful phrase that’s exactly the same, but here are a couple expressions that are similar:
“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”
“If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a wonderful Christmas” (ok, that one’s a stretch, but it’s fun).
Thanks, Andrew! I actually thought “Grass is greener” when I write it. But was looking for more colorful ones. I think you got bunch here. I do not think I have ever heard the last 3, though. But sounds very interesting.
Andrew’s last one reminds me of
“Wish in one hand, shit in the other, see which fills up first.”
As far as fireworks on the 4th of July go, the holiday is celebrating our Independence Day. So my guess is they were originally meant to remind us of the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air that had to happen for us to have a free country today. You really should learn the Star Spangled Banner if you’re going to be an American, Terry.
I like that expression. Brian told me his father used that expression a lot when he was a kid, asking something to his father. I know! I do need to learn. Maybe that is something we should to together in our camping! Sounds kind of boring, though! 🙂
That recalls me “Eun-Woo’s Super salad” 🙂
Doesn’t it? That is what I thought too.
How about “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”?
The phrase “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” is sort of similar…
Both of those phrases have the property that if you say just part of them, people will know what you mean. You can say “One man’s trash…” or “when life hands you lemons…” and not need to complete them.
Great! Both of them are really fit into my question. Thanks!