Curious Taka

Hello. I'm not a native English speaker, so I hope my English is easily understandable.

I'm thinking about buying some items on Amazon.com. But I have some concerns.

I do know Amazon.com is now world-wide famous and millions of people use the site. But I don't think it is possible to say the site is 100% safe.

The only method of payment is using my credit card. I'm worried that my credit card info would be leaked and misused if the info is provided to Amazon's partner companies. I want to believe the companies would not do such a thing.

In addition, I found some items are sold and shipped from other companies, not Amazon.com. I'm worried that they would send me a lot of unsolicited e-mails, or spams, and direct mails that might be sent to my home.

I never mean that I don't trust Amazon.com becuase I often use Amazon.co.jp and have had no problems so far.

Could you please give me your opinions on my questions?

Thank you for your help!

I'm from Japan and studying in the US now.

While I was doing my assignments, I found the following expression;

"Be there, or be square."

What does this mean? Is this a figurative way to describe something? I can't imagine a person being a square (shape). This sounds really weird.

Could you tell me what this expression means?

Thank you for your help!

I'm from Japan and studying in Oregon now.

I'm now planning to take a trip to Los Angeles (at first I was thinking about SF, but I've changed my mind.) from Nov. 22 to 25.

And I've heard there are websites where I can make reservations of flight and a hotel. And these are "Travelocity.com" and "Expedia.com."

Are these websites safe and reliable? Becuase I've never used these sites, I have feelings of resistace toward using my credit card on these sites.

But I don't want to spend most of time on my study and want to have time to relax.

Which website do you often use and recommend? Are these really safe?

Should I make reservations of my flight and a hotel right now so that they won't be fully booked since the time when I make a trip is Thanksgiving?

Thank you for your help!

I'm from Japan and studying in Oregon now.

I'm planning a trip from Nov. 22 to 25. And I'm thinking about taking a trip to Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Which do you recommend? I would like not to spend a large amount of money on my trip.

Should I make reservations of a hotel and my flight right now?

Thank you for your help!

I'm from Japan and studying in Oregon now.

I sometimes hear native students using the phrases above and I wonder what they mean.

What do they mean? Are they equal to phrases like, "Oh,god!," "My goodness!" ?

Are there any similar phrases like above?

Thank you! ;-)

a. Will you please e-mail me back when you have received my e-mail?

b. Will you please e-mail me back when you receive my e-mail?

I mean that I want a person to e-mail me back after receiving my e-mail. But I'm a bit confused which sentence is correct.

I often hear a sentence like, "I won't go out when it rains." In this example, after "when," the present form is used , but not future form.

Is it wrong to say, "Will you please e-mail me back when you will have received my e-mail?"

Thank you for your help! :-)

I'm from Japan and studying in the US from the middle of this month.

I love watching TV programs of the country.

And I'm curious to know what TV programs (eg. sitcoms, dramas, reality television shows and more) are popular in the US right now, but I'm not sure since I'm in Japan now. What are the popular TV programs in the US now?

Are there any TV programs that I should watch or you recommend watching after arriving in the US?

Are Full House, Friends and Beverly Hills 90210 still re-aired on TV? These are some of my favorite TV programs.

Thank you for your information! :-)

I'm from Japan and studying in Ashland, Oregon from this month.

And I'd like to know about the town.

Is Ashland a safe town? I'd like to enjoy taking a walk during the night alone. Is it possible to go shopping at night on foot alone? Or should I go shopping during the day?

Are there any shopping malls or supermarkets near Southern Oregon University? For example, is there a COSTCO or a Safeway?

If possible, could you tell me how to get to the Medford Airport from Southern Oregon University? I have no idea how to get there when I take a trip to, for example, San Francisco or Las Vegas. Are there any transportations such as bus or shuttle service to the airport? Or a taxi?

And if you don't mind, could you tell me more about Ashland?　(eg. Shakespeare festival?)

Any info regarding Ashland is very appreciated. Thank you for your help! :-)

I'm from Japan and really interested in an American culture. I hope my English is understandable.

Why is Friday an important day for people in America? I often hear the phrase, "TGIF=Thank God, it's Friday!"

Does Friday have a profound meaning to American people?

Do they do something special every Friday? Party or something?

And do you know the backgrounds or history(?) of this fact? For example, when did people start to think Friday is an important day?

I'm curious to know about these.

Thank you in advance! :-)

I hope what I wrote here is understandable because I'm an English learner.

I'm wondering why I can't see my avatar on my 360° page.

This has continued for about 3 days. Is there something wrong with my 360°page?

As you see, I can see my avatar here, Y!A, but not on my 360° page.

Are there any possibilities such as computer virus or any other accidents?

Please go to my profile and check my 360° page.

I hope my avatar will be back soon.

Thank you for your help! ;-)

I'm from Japan and studying at an American college from this September for about 2 yrs.

I'm just wondering...at college, do you (or did you) often bring your own lunch or mostly eat at the cafeteria of your college?

Of course it varies with the individual, but I'm curious to know how and where American college students have lunch. Do they often bring their own lunch or mostly eat at the cafeteria?

Does my English make sense?

Thank you for your help! :-)

I'm sorry for asking a dirty question.

When you talk about "sexual intercourse" in English, which word or phrase do you often use?

sex, sexual intercourse, lovemaking, push-push*, f**k*, parallel-parking*, roll in the hay*, shag* , rogering* (used by men)

(my dictionary says words or expressions with* are slangs or vulgar)

Are there any other ways to say "sexual intercourse" other than words or phrases mentioned above?

Is "lovemaking" an euphemistic word to say "sex"?

I know I should learn more beneficial things other than this, but I'm curious to know.

Thank you! :-)

I'm from Japan and I love the US because of its vastness in everything, including its food, the diversity of ethnicity (race?), and the country itself. And I like its wonderful tourist spots and advanced computer technology.

BTW, I oftern hear that the country is an individualistic country.

Do you like the country being so? Why?

And I have some difficulty getting the gist of what the country being an individualistic country means. Does this mean that I have to do everything by myself? Could you please tell me?

Thank you and I'm sorry in advance if my idea is wrong.

I'm studying in Oregon as an exchange student from my university in Japan from this September for about 2 yrs.

And there is a one-month winter break after the fall term ends.

I have to leave my university dorm room during the break, but I have no idea what I should do after that.

According to an International Sudent Advisor, only one dorm will open during the break, so I'm planning to stay at the dorm during the break. At first I was planning to return to my country temporarily, but I though it could be a waste of money.

I'm also thinking about taking a trip to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York. Are there any places I should go or never miss during my winter break?

I want to enjoy my trip without spending a large amount of money.

And are there any other things I should do during the winter break except on-campus part-time job and taking a trip?

Thank you in advance! :-)

I'm a Japanese boy and studying in Oregon as an exchange student from my uni in Japan from this September.

And I'm really interested in American culture and custom.

Could you please teach me as many taboos and things I should not or must not do in the US as possible?

I know "Jaywalking (correct spelling?)." This means that I should

not get across a road, right? If I do, will I be fined?

And blowing one's nose in front of people is not considered indecent, right? In Japan, doing this is regarded indecent.

Are there any customs and taboos in the US? Thank you in advance! ;-)

Hi, I'm a Japanese boy and English language learner.

Sorry for my poor English.

Do you often use difficult words like these in your daily life (of course, much more difficult to me, though)?

predilection, proviso, crypic, insipid, exquisite,

exorbitant, cogitate, onslaught, foliage, encapsulate

I randomly chose these words from a book I'm reading now.

And please look at the follwing example;

A: Tony, I've got great tickets for the basketball final, but the

company president has invited me to dinner that night. What

should I do?

B: I sympathize with your ( ), but I don't think you should miss the dinner.

a. predilection b. predicament c. prerogative d. preoccupation

I feel "b. predicament" is the answer. Is this correct?

And I wondered if I can use "dilemma" instead of "predicament."

If you were in this sutuation, which would you use, "predicament" or "dilemma"? Does "predicament" sound bookish?

Thanx for your help! ;-)

Well, I hope my English is understandable.

Hi, I'm a Japanese boy and studying in Ashland,Oregon from this September as an international and exchange student from my university in Japan for around 2 yrs. And I do wish to make American friends there. I'm kinda shy, but I do want to be more confident and active. Are there any tips you recommend? Thanx a lot! ;-)