Our lovely country may not be around much longer. Got a room I can rent cheap?

Oh Sandster, I have an even better story. I lived in USA for many years and managed for years without any serious fauxpas. Towards the end of my last pregnancy, I was with a colleague who said he was just nipping out of the office. He was a gay, which is irrelevant, except big gob here said 'Oh are you going for a fag break' (fag=cigarette in UK slang). I was instantly horrified and flushed bright red! He did a double look then was literally rolled on the ground laughing! I did ask my daughter's teacher for a 'rubber' (eraser) but she just looked at me like I was an idiot.

Lots of words have different meanings. I was talking with my partners daughter in law and she said her father was a keen skier. I said I was also a keen skier but not very competent. This completely confused her and eventually we talked about something else. I figured out later that to her keen meant good or competent not enthusiastic as I understand the word to mean.
It is also dangerous to make ironic comments as any comment is taken at face value. The USA certainly is an irony free zone.