Human Keyword Game

As Americans, we’re lucky in that a fair portion of the world now speaks English, which, 30 years ago, was not the case. The Internet, globalization, US entertainment and our viral culture has propagated the globe nicely with English speaking people. The only issue is, that even within the narrow scope of English, there are different names used for the same things in different places. Diet Coke is called "Cola Lite" in most countries and elevators are commonly called "lifts" in a lot of places.

When we travel, we play the "Human Keyword Game" - like trying to find the right search phrase when using Google, we're collecting the right English words for each culture. For example: in Germany, try to get a sugar substitute brought to your table using any of the following words, and all you’ll get is a dirty look:

Sweetener

Equal

Sweet & Low

Not Sugar, the other thing….(as you pantomime shacking a sugar packet)

Now, try asking for “saccharine” and you’ve got a shot. That’s human keyword searching. Knowing English is not enough – knowing the right English word is the fun, and it’s worth documenting.

Think this trivial? Riddle me this:

You’re in India, and explosive case of traveler’s diarrhea has come on as suddenly as a heart attack (what are the odds). You SHUFFLE into a hotel lobby, and approach the man cleaning the floor.

You need directions to the only place where relief can be found.

Every muscle that can be clenched is clenched. You have 5, maybe 10 more seconds. Max. Use the right words, and all is well. Choose the wrong word, and Mr. floor cleaner’s job just got a whole lot worse. Do you ask for:

The Bathroom

The Rest Room

The Men’s Room

The WC

BAM! Full diaper. The correct answer is TOILET. Thank you for playing. You need to know the right keyword to get the desired result in each place. More to come.