Let me explain.  When one sits at the dinner table, we take the time to eat beef and not cow (or pork and not pig).

A little thing called history comes into play.  Back in the day, there was a lot of fighting.  And, I mean a lot of fighting.  Plundering, if you will.

With that, the victor was often left to rewrite history and culture.

Hence, cultures changed based on hierarchies.  Forced hierarchies.

Peasants who referred to cow as their meal were just that, peasants.  Whereas, people in higher classes such as the French, after they invaded England, were left to eat the same animal with a fancier name: beef (du boeuf).

Want another example?

The Arabs who were in Spain for over 800 years left their mark in politics (alcalde), science (algebra), and manufacturing (alfombra).

Why? Because with every forced takeover of a country, comes forced takeover of a language based on the expertise the victors bring.

The French won food and partying (RSVP, anyone?).  The Arabs were nerdy.  And, America won just about everything else.

Well, forced takeovers are still there.  But, far more powerful are the industries that have the influence.  This, in turn, leads to language transformation.  Google it.

Here are my tips on how to verb yourself:

1. Don’t verb yourself!
2. Give people a stake in what you do.
3. Be innovative.  Coke did it. (In Texas, we ask for a coke. Then, the waitress asks, “What kind?”)
4. Don’t verb yourself!

Full disclosure: I don’t eat beef and I still relate to this article.

I’ve thankfully been able to travel across the pond at least once in my life.  It was probably the best trip of my life.  Here’s where I went:

• London, England – Beautiful.  Lots of culture and funny people.  Almost got beat up by an old dude who thought I was in the American army.
• Paris, France – I didn’t like it at first (because of the language barrier), but it grew on me.  After learning some French in college, I have an inkling to go back!  Dude in front of the Cathedrale de Notre Dame got mad at me because I was from Texas and I “had too much oil.”
• Madrid, España – I actually didn’t care for it much.  Maybe another trip?
• Sevilla, España (where I spent most of my time, see where I lived below) – My residencia!  So much history and beautiful architecture and people!


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• Lisboa, Portugal – Where they loved to speak English to me (since they do not like anything to do with the Spanish language).
• Barcelona, España – A different part of Spain, but nevertheless cool.  Really chic.  One word:  Gaudí.

But, that was 3 years ago.

Help me decide on where I want to go next!  I’m thinking South America (more specifically, Colombia and Venezuela).

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