Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

donny-gal

Our DS when going into to last year of Junior School, he had to move schools to Saltersgate, there were a male headteacher and one male teacher (his form tutor), both had to be called "Sir" and nothing else, they also had to stand to one side if an adult was coming towards them in the corridor, and if they were near a door open the door for them. DS handled it immediately no problem. About 3 weeks after he joined the school there was an open night at the local comprehensive which he was due to join at the end of the year. We walked around, getting completely bemused as one does, and eventually came to the science block. One of the older teachers there spoke to him, and asked his interests, he replied "Sport, Sir", and a few other questions, all answers ended in "Sir", and a final one, have you found the Sports Hall? "No, Sir". With that he called over a younger female teacher who was also a sports teacher over, and explained that this "young man" was interested in sport and had not managed to find the Sports Hall and would she show him where it was!

I think that says it all.

DG

carrots

OK, don't get me started on my pet peeves ..... sorry, too late!

If less rain falls, fewer flowers will grow.
I am bored by hearing people say "bored of" instead of "bored with".
And a period of ten years is pronounced decade, not like the word "decayed". Aaaaargh!!!!! :mad:

Droopsnout, if you don't like the idea of you and Mrs DS being greeted with "Hi, guys!", or you with "G'day, mate/pal/man/sport/cobber/chief!", then promise me you will never, ever, go to Australia! :beer:

Off topic, nous? I'm sure there must be ways our tips can save money for readers of this thread ..... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

carrots

Merrywidow: "..... anchoring me firmly in the UK as long as she lives. I am the only person she has left."

So sorry. "Soon" was not a good choice of word.

When the time comes for you to cross your bridge, I hope the financial outlook will be a whole lot better.

Savvy_Sue

Merrywidow wrote: »

and by the way Droopsnout - I think I too could join the grumpy old women club. When the snows hit the South East a few weeks ago, the television showed all the notices outside the closed schools "Due to snow etc etc" My English teacher would be turning in her grave, I can hear her voice now "Only trains and buses are due, everthing else is owing"

THANK YOU! For some reason I have been worrying lately about which is which, I used to have some phrase to help me but I had forgotten it. I will go out of my way not to use either phrase if I'm unsure ...

gfplux

Just some catching up:

The black Forest was wonderful. A lot of snow making it look like a land from a Fairy Tale. It is the week before Carnival but a sign of the times was the Hotel was 85% empty (or 15% full)

When my French wife first came to England having been brought up in Luxembourg she worked in Shepherds Bush London. She was very shocked to be addressed as "darling" "love" or "sweetheart" by the local market traders. When I explained it was a normal term of greeting and not a proposition she became used to it. She had always thought of Englishmen as as being like Roger Moore in the Saint!
However she is still amazed today how often when on visiting a shop in England she is not greeted with a good morning or good evening. This is so normal outside England. Do they forget who are their (potential) customer. Having said that she considers the British to be the kindest and most helpful of people in all of Europe. I think that is why she is such a fan of Barnaby and Miss Marple on the TV. She likes to think of England as it should be not as it is.

droopsnout

I think "love" and "sweetheart", although once loathed by the feminist community, do at least show a genuine liking for the customer - whether she is known to the trader or not.

But as a male, I find "mate" or "pal" both disrespectful and occasionally vaguely threatening, especially the latter.

gfplux

I don't mind if someone calls me "Son" but they never do.

seven-day-weekend

My husband alwys called my father 'Boss'. I don't know why as he always called my mother by her name, Mildred. .

Merrywidow

Wow - I am so glad everyone thinks the same as I do. On a final grumble, what ever happened to the lowly 'comma' to break up a sentence. Great news this week, I have joined a health club! My arthritic back is giving me big problems and I decided to enrol to use the wonderful pool, but I met this lovely personal trainer on the grand tour and he reckons he can solve most of the problems. (in time) I had my first session with him this afternoon and started out rolling around on a mat with a massive ball, a long strip of polystyrene and a few other highly improbable moves. Hysterical. Aqua aerobics (sp) follow next week too. All this agony as a result of a drunk driver crashing into my car in Amsterdam when I was 29. I had physio each week for 20 years. Now the damage has turned arthritic and I have to do something. Will keep you informed.

Savvy_Sue

This friendliness goes even further in Bristol. "Orl roight, moy luvva?" is an approximate translation of the standard greeting.