Actually, when you break it down, "smacked" in the "gob" English slang for mouth, as in "shut your gob," and it makes sense because you would be stunned, astounded etc if someone smacked you in the gob.

"Gobsmacked" makes sense, but what about "pear-shaped"? Can anyone explain that one?

Well, looking at me might explain it.

But I know what you mean, when the English talk about something going pear-shaped, it usually means something of a disaster, and I don't know how to make sense of it.

Brenda: I think they use the term to mean that things are not necessarily disastrous but that they've gone awry, but I have trouble seeing how that relates to the shape of a pear. Wobbly, maybe?

I think pear =shaped refers to things going wrong, as when a ball that is supposed to be round is distorted and not usable in a game needing a round ball.

You do have to be aware of local variations in meaning though. When I first came to Australia a colleague at work, female, asked someone to "pass the Durex". This astounded me as in Britain Durex is a brand of condom and this was 40 years ago. However, I found out later that in Australia Durex was a brand of sticky tape for repairing tears in paper!

Aaah, thanks Expom, that does make sense then.

Caitie: the reason I always associate it with disaster is because I've always heard it used on British TV cop shows or read it in detective novels, as in when an operation goes pear-shaped, it's usually very bad news. The undercover cop has been "made," they say; the SWAT team went into action prematurely and caused worse trouble; the hostage mediator failed to say the right thing causing the hostage taker to kill his hostages, things like that.

Never been on a tour before
If im on a tour and say theres trouble with my room
(say for example they have given me 1 bed and we need 2)

Who do you inform your hotel or your TD or both?

quote:

Originally posted by Sazzy:
Never been on a tour before
If im on a tour and say theres trouble with my room
(say for example they have given me 1 bed and we need 2)

Who do you inform your hotel or your TD or both?

Hi Sassy, if this happens just phone down to reception and ask to be put through to your TD, he/she will endeavour to fix it for you. Normally your TD will ask at the beginning of the tour what type of bedding configuration you would like, then he/she will fax this information ahead to each hotel.

On the first day of the tour, the TD gives you a form to fill out which asks for your preferences for certain things say in terms of included meals (no pork please as a main dish, or vegeterian meals only), what kind of beds you want (twin or double) and others.

The worst TD I ever got, on this form I put down I must have non smoking rooms...I kept getting rooms ringing with smoke...I assumed at first it was because the hotels did not have enough but when I asked him, he gave me a nonsensical answer that my travel agent was supposed to request this (not that he faxes the room preference list to the hotels the night before arrival listing preferences where possible)...

Thank goodness Europe is moving in the direction of banning smoking in all hotels (why it took them so long is beyond me...smoking in a hotel room is a fire hazard pure and simple and should have been banned a long time ago)....

Some TD's are conscienteous and make every effort to follow up on requests, most are as a matter of fact, but a few can't be bothered.

quote:

Originally posted by Sazzy:
Never been on a tour before
If im on a tour and say theres trouble with my room
(say for example they have given me 1 bed and we need 2)

Who do you inform your hotel or your TD or both?

Hi Sazzy ~ For most of the day to day problems/enquiries the T.D. should be your 1st port of call. If it is not something he/she can help with they will point you in the right direction, they are a wealth of knowledge. As Matha has said the form on the 1st day will ask for your preferences.

quote:

Originally posted by MATHA531:
The worst TD I ever got, on this form I put down I must have non smoking rooms...I kept getting rooms ringing with smoke...I assumed at first it was because the hotels did not have enough but when I asked him, he gave me a nonsensical answer that my travel agent was supposed to request this (not that he faxes the room preference list to the hotels the night before arrival listing preferences where possible)...

The tour director can ask for non smoking rooms, but you don't always get them. I have not heard of having to book your non smoking room with the TA. I had the misfortune to be given a room that reeked with smoke on a couple of occasions, Rome and Paris. On both occasions I went to reception and requested a change. There is nothing worse than snuggling down into your bed at night and finding that your bed stinks of stale cigarette or cigar smoke, this has happened to me a few times in the past. Nowadays, as soon as I get into the room, I make sure it does not smell of smoke, before settling in.

As a matter of course (in the UK at least!), TT book non-smoking rooms for clients, if a smoking room is required, it must be requested - there really is no excuse for a hotel to allocate a smoking room to a client, unless specically requested.

quote:

Originally posted by Birdman:
As a matter of course (in the UK at least!), TT book non-smoking rooms for clients, if a smoking room is required, it must be requested - there really is no excuse for a hotel to allocate a smoking room to a client, unless specically requested.

As I said earlier, more and more countries are beginning to pass law banning smokking in hotels....this ought to be universal not only for health reasons as those cancer sticks kill millions every year, whether they be smokers or those whose lungs are polluted by second hand smoke, but it most assuredly represents a fire hazard.

As I said earlier, more and more countries are beginning to pass law banning smokking in hotels....this ought to be universal not only for health reasons as those cancer sticks kill millions every year, whether they be smokers or those whose lungs are polluted by second hand smoke, but it most assuredly represents a fire hazard.[/QUOTE]

It makes me wonder why people need to smoke in bed in the first place. Maybe because they are not allowed to smoke in airports, aeroplanes and restaurants anymore?