I think reading phrases used as everyday terms elsewhere is harder than watching them used on TV or the movies. TV gives a vissual context to hear the phase so its very easy to understand. I have no problem watching British or US TV/Movies.
We all tend to type as if we are talking everyday. I usually glance at peoples location before reading what they have typed, because I tend to understand better that way. (Hint to those without locations <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )
In the past week reading refferences to Cheese Puffs and Pop Cans had no meaning to me because I had no visual refference to put them into context. One I had to ask, the other was worked out from someone elses post who worded it differently.
Im sure people tend to take my responses differently than I intend sometimes. I know I have a more sarcastic style that Americans sometimes sometimes dont quite understand.