Anyone else missing family abroad?

euronorris

Lotus-eater wrote: »

It's always a bit odd I think. The Netherlands is a hotbed of political correctness, yet this goes straight over their heads.
I've had many discussions about this with the Dutch and we're not even in the same book, let alone the same page.

Yeah, I tried bringing it up once and they got very defensive about their 'tradition'. Yet they look down on colleagues from Texas who aren't accepting of the gay lifestyle.

Go figure!

Kalama

BugglyB - yep but for me I'm the one abroad (Kenya). I know it's finite (we are on fixed postings) but it is still hard. The strangest things set me off; British films like Love Actually or thinking about fish and chips!

We feel like we need to use our holidays going back to the UK and when we do, we rush around trying to do everything we need and see everyone but there is always some of the family we don't get too see. The feelings of guilt are not nice - and then I get cross at myself for feeling guilty as we are the ones expected to do all the running.

We haven't been back for Christmas as we give the leave slots to people with kids - when we do go back in winter 2013 it will be our first UK Christmas since 2005. I'm already planning it.....:D

spaghetti_monster

Lotus-eater and Euronorris - OH tells me that they're black because they fell down the chimney.......:cool: But yes, I'm still a bit shocked when people start appearing all dressed up with black face paint. I especially like that if a child is naughty, not only do they get no presents, but they get a good hiding from the black peter, shoved in a sack and taken back on the boat to Spain :eek:

Lately all holiday/trips have been family related which I don't mind. But maybe it'll be that way for a while as we now have an 8 month old and I want him to have as much contact with the UK family as possible. (Skype is also great)

December will be busy in the future what with Saint Nicholas and Christmas (UK style)

Lotus-eater

spaghetti_monster wrote: »

Lotus-eater and Euronorris - OH tells me that they're black because they fell down the chimney.......:cool: But yes, I'm still a bit shocked when people start appearing all dressed up with black face paint. I especially like that if a child is naughty, not only do they get no presents, but they get a good hiding from the black peter, shoved in a sack and taken back on the boat to Spain :eek:

Zwarte piet it sounds a bit better in Dutch

I think there were a couple of reasons he was black, but they've settled on the chimney one.
My nieces school had a zwarte piet day last year, where they all went dressed up as piets. It was a sight, I'll tell you!
I insist that all the ZP costumes and paraphernalia stay in the Netherlands and not come home with us to the UK. I can just imagine someone walking in here and seeing that.

de1amo

İm the one abroad and dont miss my family in the uk!-i probably see more of them than i would if i lived in the uk due to skype.--i love my life in the sun and away from the stress of the uk which makes me really irritable and hard to get on with when i am there.

My foreign wife has learnt how to cook all my favourite food from the internet and the ingredients are all fresh and organic!--where i am the family unit is strong and my in laws regard me as the son they never had-we are very close without being sufficating!--i dont speak their language and they mine so there is no chance of rows!

euronorris

Kalama - I understand. There are a few people who get very annoyed if I don't visit them, and are very vocal about it too. TBH, when they do that it makes me not want to see them at all. It's like they aren't even trying to understand the challenges we face in trying to see everyone, especially when it's the same people who haven't bothered to visit once in nearly 3 years despite numerous invitations.

Spaghetti Monster and Lotus - I thought it was because, historically, Sint Nicolaas had black servants who came over on the boat with him from Spain and helped him to hand out gifts. But maybe the chimney story is more palatable.

I don't blame you for insisting the costumes etc stay in NL!

Just came back from a Dutch lesson as it goes

Lotus-eater

euronorris wrote: »

Spaghetti Monster and Lotus - I thought it was because, historically, Sint Nicolaas had black servants who came over on the boat with him from Spain and helped him to hand out gifts. But maybe the chimney story is more palatable.

I don't blame you for insisting the costumes etc stay in NL!

Just came back from a Dutch lesson as it goes

Exactly, the chimney version is much easier on the ear

Rather you than me on the Dutch lessons! Don't put hoor in the wrong place :rotfl:

euronorris

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Exactly, the chimney version is much easier on the ear

Rather you than me on the Dutch lessons! Don't put hoor in the wrong place :rotfl:

Ok! hoor, ik snap je wel!

Personally, I like: Sorry hoor!

Makes me giggle everytime! :rotfl:

BugglyB

euronorris wrote: »

Kalama - I understand. There are a few people who get very annoyed if I don't visit them, and are very vocal about it too. TBH, when they do that it makes me not want to see them at all. It's like they aren't even trying to understand the challenges we face in trying to see everyone, especially when it's the same people who haven't bothered to visit once in nearly 3 years despite numerous invitations.

I am in the opposite position, of being the only person in our little unit to be left in the country, thus being the 'representative' at funerals, weddings, parties, and so on! I also take on care of grandparents and so on.

Recently my mum came back for a week and we didn't tell anyone, we just had a week together, we didn't even tell her sisters, since she has so many of them, they all get cross if she doesn't fly up and down the country visiting everyone.

Lotus-eater

euronorris wrote: »

Personally, I like: Sorry hoor!

Makes me giggle everytime! :rotfl:

I manage to keep a straight face, but I note it in my head each time I hear it.