The Wife and I lived together for a year in the United States, from the summer of 2011 until the summer of 2012, when we got married and moved to Germany. For her birthday in the States, my wife received — among other things — a gift certificate to Fred Meyer; a major supermarket chain founded in Portland, Oregon, which sells everything from food and beverages to clothing and furniture.
The gift certificate was a generous present from my parents, and one which I thought best utilized to lower our fixed expenses. So, one evening, I suggested my wife use the money to cover the cost of our next trip to Fred Meyer for groceries. She gave it some thought and said…
THE WIFE: “I could use my gift certificate for groceries, but I also need a new purse.”
Click here to learn more about the term “Denglish.”
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Oh God, My Wife Is German. 
Rule #1: you have to set your priorities ;-)
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I know, right? Silly me, with my concern over basic necessities…
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I always think its funny to say “gift” here in Germany. “Here is your gift.” People look at you strangely…and why shouldn’t they, you just offered them poison.
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Haw haw! That’s awesome.
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Actually, the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language notes both words come from the same root word meaning “poison”. How the English meaning evolved I don’t recall or know, but a gift often come with the poison of social obligation…! Ha!
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Oh Weggie. You big silly. :)
Thanks for the comment and have an awesome day!
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You’re a horrid husband. I bet your poor wife also gets a vacuum cleaner from you for her birthday, and an apron for Christmas. Sheesh!
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No way, doggie. I buy her sausages and a jar of Nutella. That’s what you guys like, right?
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I understand her perfectly. For the last years, presents in form of Money went straight into clothes and School books for my daughter.
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What about food? Sweet, delicious food!
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Now you lost me – looked purse up – Geldbeutel, Täschchen – where was her mis-usage? What was wrong in wanting a new purse? Since you posted this under Denglish I am searching for some language slip … Ok, I give up. I don’t get it.
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Oh I break my own rules all the time. It’s a wild ride over here, Fran. :)
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Ok – you know, germans like categories …and get easily confused while having to think outside our beloved little boxes.
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Purses always trump poultry. Didn’t you read that in the husband’s manual?
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No, I… oh wait a minute. Yep. It’s right there. :)
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A girl’s gotta have her new purse and shoes…who needs food? :)
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Apparently not us! Oh God… so hungry…
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You know I love your blog and I envy you for your talent!
This is why I nominated you for the “Shine on” Blog Award. You can find it here:
http://raaniyork.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/shine-on-award/
I really think your blog is special and you deserve this Award!
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Thank you Raani. I’ll check it out.
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I would totally choose a purse over groceries. haha!
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MAN, you are like the 4th woman to say that… :)
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“A HANDBAG!!!!!???!!!”
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A purse, but yes. Apparently. :)
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I’m the frugal one at home. Food over fashion every day of the week, baby!! Although I do enjoy fashion just not the stupid big labels that make you a walking advertisement. My German hubby tends to think that more expensive means better/tastier. He even feels bad about haggling and prefers to pay the original price. Weird.
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