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Living in BFG? Learn German then!
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Money_saving_Martyn
Posts: 220 Forumite
Edited
Hi all!
I'm not with the forces, but I've been living in Gütersloh for a year and, being a money saver, I've always tried to get the best deals - not just the ones that the English speaking Germans suck the English speakers in with! Although I'd already learned a bit of German, (maybe difficult for some who are "suddenly" posted out to BFG), there were still a lot of benefits I was missing out on by simply not knowing the German words.
What it comes down to, is that it seems then non-german speaking folks don't get the best deals. Take bank accounts for example. When I tried to open an account at Sparkasse in GT, they told me that they send all of their English customers to another branch where they can open a "special English account" with English speaking staff.. It appears that the account isn't so special, the statements and letters still come in German, there are still monthly fees and if you're blind to what deals are around, the English speaking staff can sign you up for practically whatever they want!
By speaking a little German, it is possible to get free banking. Students are the first group that spring to mind who don't have to pay monthly fees at most banks. Some banks (check out Deutsche Post bank) even have accounts with free banking for "normal" people (ie. not students etc). Why pay €7 (or €4 or €5) every month for your account at Sparkasse just because the assistant can serve you in English when you open it (and then you;re on your own with German letters coming through the post!) branch it doesn't mean they have the best account!
There are of course loads of other offers that go wasted on the non German speaking people for example, offers in bars and restaurants - even in supermarkets! So many English people I've met over here buy things they recognized (Uncle Ben's sauces, Kelloggs (breakfast stuff) simply because they're unsure what they're getting otherwise! Live dangerously and try stuff!
On top of the money saving benefits - it normally brings a smile to the local's faces when they hear us trying out their language!
There are links on other boards for free online learning websites. One I really like is http://www.livemocha.com .
2nd July 2008 - This week's e-newsletter had this useful article about free ways to learn languages
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tipnote/learn-language-free
Don't forget, you can also pick up phrase books (and there's even a free course on camp for soldiers and dependants I believe)
Viel Erfolg beim Lernen!
EDIT: Welcome to all the new people joining the moneysavingexpert.com forums who are interested in saving money wherever they can - It's fantastic that this board has been openned - let's save money! Don't forget to take a look around the site - a lot of the money saving logic can be applied no matter where in the world you are!
Hi all!
I'm not with the forces, but I've been living in Gütersloh for a year and, being a money saver, I've always tried to get the best deals - not just the ones that the English speaking Germans suck the English speakers in with! Although I'd already learned a bit of German, (maybe difficult for some who are "suddenly" posted out to BFG), there were still a lot of benefits I was missing out on by simply not knowing the German words.
What it comes down to, is that it seems then non-german speaking folks don't get the best deals. Take bank accounts for example. When I tried to open an account at Sparkasse in GT, they told me that they send all of their English customers to another branch where they can open a "special English account" with English speaking staff.. It appears that the account isn't so special, the statements and letters still come in German, there are still monthly fees and if you're blind to what deals are around, the English speaking staff can sign you up for practically whatever they want!
By speaking a little German, it is possible to get free banking. Students are the first group that spring to mind who don't have to pay monthly fees at most banks. Some banks (check out Deutsche Post bank) even have accounts with free banking for "normal" people (ie. not students etc). Why pay €7 (or €4 or €5) every month for your account at Sparkasse just because the assistant can serve you in English when you open it (and then you;re on your own with German letters coming through the post!) branch it doesn't mean they have the best account!
There are of course loads of other offers that go wasted on the non German speaking people for example, offers in bars and restaurants - even in supermarkets! So many English people I've met over here buy things they recognized (Uncle Ben's sauces, Kelloggs (breakfast stuff) simply because they're unsure what they're getting otherwise! Live dangerously and try stuff!
On top of the money saving benefits - it normally brings a smile to the local's faces when they hear us trying out their language!
There are links on other boards for free online learning websites. One I really like is http://www.livemocha.com .
2nd July 2008 - This week's e-newsletter had this useful article about free ways to learn languages
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/tipnote/learn-language-free
Don't forget, you can also pick up phrase books (and there's even a free course on camp for soldiers and dependants I believe)
Viel Erfolg beim Lernen!
EDIT: Welcome to all the new people joining the moneysavingexpert.com forums who are interested in saving money wherever they can - It's fantastic that this board has been openned - let's save money! Don't forget to take a look around the site - a lot of the money saving logic can be applied no matter where in the world you are!
Please note: I am NOT Martin Lewis, just somebody else called Martyn that likes money saving!
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Comments
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when i was in germany it wasnt that easy to learn german i dont find languages easy and working and being a full time mum with no support while oh is on deployment leaves no time to learn german. plus since the army decided we had to live there i think they should ensure all soldiers and their deps have got the basics before they post them in. after all if we wanted to live there we would learn the language but alot of us are forced to go0
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"I'm not with the forces, but"
says it all really...0 -
I think it is trying to say that people who work in the armed forces and who are posted abroad are not generally keen on learning the lingo of wherever they get posted to.
Richtig?0 -
when you get that posting order through the last thing on your mind is learning the lingo as anyone in the forces would know we rely on the kindness of the local people and that is often not available0
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Well IME having been posted to HK, Germany and Cyprus a little bit of the local lingo goes a long way...
I've found that those that can be bothered to put in the effort to learn a little have had much more rewarding tours (and cheaper).{Signature removed by Forum Team}0 -
its not a case of not being bothered its not having the time and the lessons not being available to all when they need it as in when i was there there was no lessons available then when i started working they took them back then when i went off on maternity leave they stopped them again due to lack of interest then they didnt have enough childcare places available so i couldnt go. i bought several books and computer courses but without someone teaching me i dont get it. besides we were asked to go live there we didnt chose to go so therefore in my opinion services must be provided to us in our own language. just my opinion as i would never in my life chose to live in germany but we had no choice.0
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its not a case of not being bothered its not having the time and the lessons not being available to all when they need it as in when i was there there was no lessons available then when i started working they took them back then when i went off on maternity leave they stopped them again due to lack of interest then they didnt have enough childcare places available so i couldnt go. i bought several books and computer courses but without someone teaching me i dont get it. besides we were asked to go live there we didnt chose to go so therefore in my opinion services must be provided to us in our own language. just my opinion as i would never in my life chose to live in germany but we had no choice.
1. I always managed to teach myself a few words to break the ice, just a bit of effort.
2. Were you (or partner) conscripted? No, ergo nobody made you go, you (or partner) could have pvr'd at any time.{Signature removed by Forum Team}0 -
when you are told you are posted you are posted. no option! as you would know if you are or ever have been in the forces. just because you dont want to go doesnt mean you dont have to. if you refuse you are diffy end of.0
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Of course you pick it up as you go along depending on how confident you are and how far you venture. I managed some Greek and German, didnt live on a airbase or garrison (in germany only), but it didnt happen on day one of the tour when I needed to open the bank account!
Anyway hated German but quite liked Greek, its not for everyone though.
This post reminded me of the Urdu, Polish etc signs in my local hospital...0
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