Post Mix

I had another encounter with Australian vs. American words the other day when we were at Subway.  We had ordered our sandwiches and were ready to pay when the guy behind the counter asked if we wanted any drinks. I said “Sure, we’ll take two fountain drinks.” He looked puzzled and the girl next to him chimed in, “Fountain?” I could tell she didn’t understand, so I formed my hand like I was holding a cup and loudly, yet slowly (because that’s what I do when someone doesn’t understand) I said, “FOOUUNTAIN”. She looks at me confused, “Water?”  At this point, we all started giggling.  So now, I start talking even louder and more slowly, and flail my hands in the air as I try to explain what I meant by fountain drink. Not sure why it didn’t occur to me to take her around the corner and point to the machine, but I didn’t.  My hand motions and obnoxious voice worked, though. The boy and girl looked at each other and almost simultaneously said, “Aaaahhhh, post mix!”

Note to self:

Post Mix= Fountain Drink