>>>>>>I'd have thought they'd rather singe the burger!
>>>>>
>>>>>Groan...
>>>>>
>>>>>>Sounds TYPICALLY American
>>>>>
>>>>>There is a restaurant somewhere here that I read about where the waiters throw the bread to (at) you. Not typically American, but maybe only found here.
>>>>
>>>>I was in a restaurant a few years ago where the waiter was one of those very outgoing friendly types. We got along great. Anyway, he asked me if I wanted more coffee, and I said, "I'm fine". He said, "Who cares how you are, I just wanted to know if you wanted more coffee". Absolutely cracked me up.
>>>
>>>:-)
>>>
>>>There you are with American idioms! The one that bugs me is:
>>>
>>>"Hi, how are you?"
>>>"I'm good"
>>>
>>>GOOD! that refers to how righteously you lead your life - not what state your health is in!
>>My son always replies to the question "how are you ?" with "Good thanks. You ? ". Seems polite to me.
>
>Aye, polite, but it sounds like your son has been watching too many US shows. That expression did not exist here before a year or two ago.
>
>"I'm fine, thanks" or "I'm well..." should be the response. "I'm good" means either the priest would be happy with me, or I'm adroit at something, eg a good shot, good footballer, etc.

But language evolves and its purpose is communication. People understand thats he's well and are grateful (esp elderly relatives) that he's asked after them. I would say you're a linguitic King Canute but he was demonstrating that he couldn't turn back the tide.

Nick