The embarrassment factor
May 22nd 2017, 7:38 pm
#76
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: The embarrassment factor
My observation (on the ground)
Hope the Brit women weren't wearing skirts!
You make some very good points. Interesting discussion
Hope the Brit women weren't wearing skirts!
You make some very good points. Interesting discussion
May 22nd 2017, 9:02 pm
#77
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 14,960
Re: The embarrassment factor
Hungarian, like Basque(bat, bi, hiru) and Finnish (yksi, kaksi, kolme), seem to have been brought to Europe from another planet (by the Moomins in Finland's case!).
Köszönöm/eskerrak/Kiitän sinua..... Go raibh mhaith agut.
Köszönöm/eskerrak/Kiitän sinua..... Go raibh mhaith agut.
May 22nd 2017, 9:04 pm
#78
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 14,960
May 24th 2017, 7:49 am
#80
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,313
Re: The embarrassment factor
May 24th 2017, 8:27 am
#81
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 0
Re: The embarrassment factor
My understanding is that the Finns & Magyars both came out of the east together then split, 1 group going north the other west, to the Carpathians. Neither group is ethnically or linguistically related to any other European race. As for incestuous, I couldn't possibly comment!
May 24th 2017, 4:36 pm
#82
Banned
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Algarve, Portugal.
Posts: 4,478
Re: The embarrassment factor
In my 25 years experience of Brits Abroad, this is becoming a genuine problem - starting at the airports, onto the flights, & at the car rental staff on arrival.
Watch the scenes at Luton / Stansted as typical. So, they wanted out of European Human Rights protection????? - They've got it!!
How about.....
1. All Brits to sit an IQ (or GCSE level) behavioural test when booking online, or exiting the UK (after check-in but before security). Scores under 50 = no travel.
2. Every individual adult Brit to lodge a cash deposit of €2,500 on arrival at the area local police station - refundable ONLY on return to the UK via an HMRC application with all travel data. That'll stop a few people who live in the cash economy.
2. Packs of Brits not to exceed 3 in any public venue - golf resorts included.
3. Brits to lose all signals to their mobiles, tablets, etc. on arrival, plus no access to Brit media during their stay.
4. In cases of unacceptable behaviour, the Brit/s are immediately deported or made them wear a Donald Trump mask for the rest of their stay. (Shame is the best weapon)
I wanted to be Home Secretary - but they wouldn't let me....
[
Watch the scenes at Luton / Stansted as typical. So, they wanted out of European Human Rights protection????? - They've got it!!
How about.....
1. All Brits to sit an IQ (or GCSE level) behavioural test when booking online, or exiting the UK (after check-in but before security). Scores under 50 = no travel.
2. Every individual adult Brit to lodge a cash deposit of €2,500 on arrival at the area local police station - refundable ONLY on return to the UK via an HMRC application with all travel data. That'll stop a few people who live in the cash economy.
2. Packs of Brits not to exceed 3 in any public venue - golf resorts included.
3. Brits to lose all signals to their mobiles, tablets, etc. on arrival, plus no access to Brit media during their stay.
4. In cases of unacceptable behaviour, the Brit/s are immediately deported or made them wear a Donald Trump mask for the rest of their stay. (Shame is the best weapon)
I wanted to be Home Secretary - but they wouldn't let me....
[
May 24th 2017, 5:50 pm
#83
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 379
Re: The embarrassment factor
In my 25 years experience of Brits Abroad, this is becoming a genuine problem - starting at the airports, onto the flights, & at the car rental staff on arrival.
Watch the scenes at Luton / Stansted as typical. So, they wanted out of European Human Rights protection????? - They've got it!!
How about.....
1. All Brits to sit an IQ (or GCSE level) behavioural test when booking online, or exiting the UK (after check-in but before security). Scores under 50 = no travel.
2. Every individual adult Brit to lodge a cash deposit of €2,500 on arrival at the area local police station - refundable ONLY on return to the UK via an HMRC application with all travel data. That'll stop a few people who live in the cash economy.
2. Packs of Brits not to exceed 3 in any public venue - golf resorts included.
3. Brits to lose all signals to their mobiles, tablets, etc. on arrival, plus no access to Brit media during their stay.
4. In cases of unacceptable behaviour, the Brit/s are immediately deported or made them wear a Donald Trump mask for the rest of their stay. (Shame is the best weapon)
I wanted to be Home Secretary - but they wouldn't let me....[
Watch the scenes at Luton / Stansted as typical. So, they wanted out of European Human Rights protection????? - They've got it!!
How about.....
1. All Brits to sit an IQ (or GCSE level) behavioural test when booking online, or exiting the UK (after check-in but before security). Scores under 50 = no travel.
2. Every individual adult Brit to lodge a cash deposit of €2,500 on arrival at the area local police station - refundable ONLY on return to the UK via an HMRC application with all travel data. That'll stop a few people who live in the cash economy.
2. Packs of Brits not to exceed 3 in any public venue - golf resorts included.
3. Brits to lose all signals to their mobiles, tablets, etc. on arrival, plus no access to Brit media during their stay.
4. In cases of unacceptable behaviour, the Brit/s are immediately deported or made them wear a Donald Trump mask for the rest of their stay. (Shame is the best weapon)
I wanted to be Home Secretary - but they wouldn't let me....
[Last edited by Rosemary; May 24th 2017 at 7:15 pm.
May 27th 2017, 9:04 am
#84
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2017
Location: Barlavento
Posts: 381
Re: The embarrassment factor
We have been coming here since 1984, bought our first place in 1988 and moved here permanently in 2001. During this period I can remember two outstanding incidents.
The first was in Carvoeiro where a couple ordered fish and chips and when the waiter brought them fresh grilled fish and chips I have never heard such in my life as the man ranted that he ordered fish and chips and could the waiter not understand English whilst the poor waiter was positively confused and was telling the man it was fish and chips ... but to no avail as the couple upped and left without paying.
The second incident was in Albufeira where at 12.45pm we encountered 10 to 12 loud, obnoxious, drunk, tattooed all over men (guesstimate age 25-30). At about 1.30 a few decided to go to bed to sober up for the next round whilst the others continued to order more drink and disrupt other patrons lunch whilst one of them vomited all over the place,
In both incidents they were sadly British.
The first was in Carvoeiro where a couple ordered fish and chips and when the waiter brought them fresh grilled fish and chips I have never heard such in my life as the man ranted that he ordered fish and chips and could the waiter not understand English whilst the poor waiter was positively confused and was telling the man it was fish and chips ... but to no avail as the couple upped and left without paying.
The second incident was in Albufeira where at 12.45pm we encountered 10 to 12 loud, obnoxious, drunk, tattooed all over men (guesstimate age 25-30). At about 1.30 a few decided to go to bed to sober up for the next round whilst the others continued to order more drink and disrupt other patrons lunch whilst one of them vomited all over the place,
In both incidents they were sadly British.
May 27th 2017, 9:14 am
#85
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 0
Re: The embarrassment factor
One of my funniest was in a very nice restaurant in Malta when a party of six Brits asked the waitress to explain the menu. She had barely started when one of them said "OK, that's enough of that, we'll have 6 prawn cocktails & 6 rump steaks, well done".
May 27th 2017, 9:16 am
#86
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: The embarrassment factor
We have been coming here since 1984, bought our first place in 1988 and moved here permanently in 2001. During this period I can remember two outstanding incidents.
The first was in Carvoeiro where a couple ordered fish and chips and when the waiter brought them fresh grilled fish and chips I have never heard such in my life as the man ranted that he ordered fish and chips and could the waiter not understand English whilst the poor waiter was positively confused and was telling the man it was fish and chips ... but to no avail as the couple upped and left without paying.
The second incident was in Albufeira where at 12.45pm we encountered 10 to 12 loud, obnoxious, drunk, tattooed all over men (guesstimate age 25-30). At about 1.30 a few decided to go to bed to sober up for the next round whilst the others continued to order more drink and disrupt other patrons lunch whilst one of them vomited all over the place,
In both incidents they were sadly British.
The first was in Carvoeiro where a couple ordered fish and chips and when the waiter brought them fresh grilled fish and chips I have never heard such in my life as the man ranted that he ordered fish and chips and could the waiter not understand English whilst the poor waiter was positively confused and was telling the man it was fish and chips ... but to no avail as the couple upped and left without paying.
The second incident was in Albufeira where at 12.45pm we encountered 10 to 12 loud, obnoxious, drunk, tattooed all over men (guesstimate age 25-30). At about 1.30 a few decided to go to bed to sober up for the next round whilst the others continued to order more drink and disrupt other patrons lunch whilst one of them vomited all over the place,
In both incidents they were sadly British.
For months there was a lot of hype and anticipation on the various forums.
There were queues of Brits on opening day, one woman was heard to shout out in delight " they have got Chicken Kiev ".
When a few months later it fell foul of the Portuguese regulations and was closed down the forums were full of posts from indignant Brits, how dare they, it's our store not theirs etc etc.
We are a strange breed with an unhealthy addiction to alcohol when on holiday and who have never really understood that we have left the UK.
May 27th 2017, 9:34 am
#87
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2017
Location: Barlavento
Posts: 381
Re: The embarrassment factor
Ooh, thanks for reminding me EMR, must pop in Overseas/Iceland for some Bovril and Branston Pickle and real Worcestershire Sauce for hubby who is American ... there are a few Brit things that are near necessities! I understand a second one is about to open in Portimão.
May 29th 2017, 1:49 pm
#88
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Alcobaça
Posts: 4,978
Re: The embarrassment factor
I'm talking about being a Brit in Portugal when other Brits behave in an appalling manner
Went to one of our favourite little restaurants last night. It overlooks a now very famous beach. (made even more famous now by that 'blasted' TA site)
Our lovely waiter was a bit 'off' with us at the beginning of the evening,but eventually told us why. He had been subjected to abuse from a group of English men who had eaten there the night before. They had simple drunk themselves into the by now familiar loud 'stupor' our countrymen are sadly known for.. but not usually in our town.
He was embarrassed as he had had to ask them to 'take it outside' as they were upsetting other diners,some of whom had children with them.He didn't say what they had called him...but we could guess
We felt we had to apologise to him on behalf of our countrymen..but it made me seeth with anger that it should be necessary. I found I was grinding my teeth and wishing I had been there to give them a piece of my mind...
I know I would have done... but would it have been wise? Would you have intervened if you had been there?
All this publicity for our lovely Portugal is wonderful,but not if it brings 'yobs' like this to our beautiful shores. I am still upset by it
Went to one of our favourite little restaurants last night. It overlooks a now very famous beach. (made even more famous now by that 'blasted' TA site
)Our lovely waiter was a bit 'off' with us at the beginning of the evening,but eventually told us why. He had been subjected to abuse from a group of English men who had eaten there the night before. They had simple drunk themselves into the by now familiar loud 'stupor' our countrymen are sadly known for.. but not usually in our town.
He was embarrassed as he had had to ask them to 'take it outside' as they were upsetting other diners,some of whom had children with them.He didn't say what they had called him...but we could guess
We felt we had to apologise to him on behalf of our countrymen..but it made me seeth with anger that it should be necessary. I found I was grinding my teeth and wishing I had been there to give them a piece of my mind...
I know I would have done... but would it have been wise? Would you have intervened if you had been there?
All this publicity for our lovely Portugal is wonderful,but not if it brings 'yobs' like this to our beautiful shores. I am still upset by it
https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ad-look-better
May 29th 2017, 1:56 pm
#89
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 0
Re: The embarrassment factor
The most embarrassing thing is being taken for a British tourist!
May 29th 2017, 8:31 pm
#90
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,313
Re: The embarrassment factor
I bet that was my brother. he lives there. married to a Finn he won't learn a word of either language..