The common tongue (TCT) On a recent visit to France when I asked, do you speak english,the reply came ,Do you speak french !
Since as for most whose native tongue is not “English” they cannot tell if one is from Ireland ,the US ,Canada ,New Zealand ,Australia or any other Country where English is the common tongue .Such a comment is not ,I believe directed to “us” but to “the English” most of whom do not speak French ,so as in retort ,why should the french speak english .
If the above is true, then in the interest of spreading a common tongue (tct) for the benefit of all ,perhaps a more french friendly term for “English” as a language would be the common tongue . e.g. So next time before you ask someone if they speak English you could ask they speak the common tongue (tct). be jensen c- 2011
Habits — e.g. Giving up smoking
If you may want to give up smoking or any other habit one day try counting to 10 or 20 before each cigarette . It doesn’t matter how fast you count .
My theory is that like all habits the repeated behaviour becomes automatic and subconscious to the extent that, often you are smoking, even before you are aware of it . By placing conscious delay/event before the act of smoking you may break the habit ,eventually. Its worth a try !!
By delaying the smoking you may delay long enough to be distracted by something other than the cigarette you were about to have ? You could substitute anything as a delaying act e.g. drink a glass of water .This may be particularly useful before an alcoholic drink for several reasons!!