Endearing words – price, value and the English language

 

Individual words have a unique and rich texture, describing a reality far more complex than their formal equivalents. To illustrate this texture, I will analyze words that describe prices and their accompanying value perception to show that these words are not true synonyms but instead complementary words.

On the upper side, some items are expensive, which merely implies that the price is above average with a tad bit of judgment regarding its worthwhileness, which can be explained. For example, I can say that that that the cake is expensive but worth every cent. On a more generic note, a purchase may involve a big-ticket item, such as a truck, which, by definition, costs more money objectively. People with a desire to impress or a need for quality may choose to purchase a top-of-the-line or high-end model, the fanciest option, or make their purchase at a high-street location, where the most expensive stores are located. What is lost in savings is gained in prestige and quality. For elegant parties, hosts may choose to invest in premium products, such as imported ham, or lavish entertainment, such as full orchestra, which do luxuries. Swanky hotels are really good at impressing but come at a high price. Many guests will appreciate the effort. Somethings that glitter are gold in price and quality.

However, far more people and cultures frown on wasteful spending. In other words, they hate to overpay and avoid buying overpriced goods and services, defined as more expensive that they “should” be. If people feel that the price is above the market, i.e., too high, they might be embarrassed to discover that they had paid a pretty penny, which is not attractive at all, or been a victim of highway robbery, as the cost of an ice cream from a beach vendor, which borders on criminal. If goods are in short supply, sellers ask for an exuberant price, which is far more than it should be, meaning it is sky high. Of course, nobody wants to pay an arm and a leg for anything if they have a choice.

By contrast, many families are proud of being thrifty, knowing how to the get the most from their money. They appreciate a good value, one where the quality and cost reflect each other. They have no problem being popular priced items, those are inexpensive, and get by with budget options, those costing less. Everyday low prices are what they seek.  Even better, they relish finding items on sale for that day or discounted for any reason since these prices are especially low. They enjoy making a real steal if they can find an item at wholesale prices, which are clearly less than any retail ones. Low-street vendors, located far from the main shopping areas, and the bargain basement, the lowest floor of many department stores where one can find a real buy, are their favorite venues. Many people by choice or necessity must be very economical.

However, everything has a limit. Cheap goods are, unfortunately both low in price and quality. If it is a dime, a dozen, it fails to impress those in the know. If someone buys cut-rate or insists on dirt-cheap goods, it is clear that quality is completely irrelevant. Items bought for a song are often too good to be true but not always. For example, the Dutch sold New Amsterdam to the British, who renamed it New York, for the equivalent $24. Anybody selling at rock-bottom prices is not making money, which makes no sense in most cases. Thus, there is a floor somewhere in low prices.

Therefore, when choosing which word to describe a price, consider all elements, not only the direction but also the connotation. Calling your mother-in-law cheap or accountant exuberant could have unpleasant results. In practice, choosing the wrong word can cost you dear, meaning have a high price beyond your expectations. May this column enrich your knowledge and save you from misunderstandings.

A rose is not always a rose – on bagels, biscuits and ice cream

 

Casual travelers reading foreign menus may find themselves surprised but disappointed when they see a treat from home. Towards the end of a long trip in a distant land, it may seem such a relief to find a familiar food item on a menu, creating an expectation of a certain known taste. However, in some cases, the name of the item is the same but the form and/or taste can be quite different. Some examples of this are bagels, biscuits and ice cream.

Bagels are technically dough that is boiled and then baked. That said, their texture varies from country to country. In the United States, especially New York, bagels are hard on the outside, dense in the middle and relatively small. They are generally cut in half, with each soft side generally coated with butter or cream cheese. By contrast, the bagels in Germany are quite big, rather hard and served as sandwiches. My wife and I especially enjoyed the brie bagels, probably the best dish we ate there. In Israel, a bagel, generaly referred to as a "bagelleh", generally has the texture of white bread with a slightly harder outside, sprinkled with sesame seeds or nuts. A bagel toast in Israel tastes a bit like a brioche toast in the US but the bread is round with a hole in the middle. To be fair, it is possible to buy hard pretzels, but they are the exception. All bagels are tasty but their exact form can differ.

Biscuits can refer to very different goods depending on country. In England, any small, sweet and thin baked item is a biscuit, ideal for tea time (or any time for that matter). In the United States, the same treat is called a cookie. In Israel, biscuits mainly refer to Petit-Beurre or similar crispy bites but definitely not a Moroccan ghoribas, a honey and orange delicacy. Strangely enough, in the United States, especially in the southern part, the biscuit of biscuits and gravy is doughy and soft, ideal for absorbing the gravy. KFC biscuits somewhat replicate its texture and flavor. Regardless, this biscuit is worlds away from the British dessert.

Finally, I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream but the actual product varies by country. A scoop of ice cream in the US is generally creamy and large, more sugary than tasty unless you go luxury. By contrast, Italian ice cream, gelato, is far more icy and finely flavored, not to mention served in smaller portions. Quality is more important than quantity. TypicalFrench ice cream is somewhere in between them. Most do have a decent cream content but also contain quality flavor ingredients. As for Israel, as should be in a country of immigrants, there is everything from delicate gelato to pure creamy decadence. Whatever the form, everybody loves ice cream.

In terms of managing expectations, when ordering foods abroad, I suggest keeping an open mind. The flavor or form may be different but it may be quite tasty in itself. Expecting the same everything as at home is a bit unrealistic and ultimately boring.