Embarrassed by the Brits?
#151
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
#152
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
It's going to be so much better than Zapatero's.
#154
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
There are some bloody silly people who can't wait to be shot of Zappy.
The El Jueves cartoon said it all.
First panel.
"The good news! Zappy is going! (Pic of Z with large pair of scissors.)
The second panel.
"The bad news. Rajoy is coming!" (Pic of Rajoy holding a MASSIVE pair of shears.)
The El Jueves cartoon said it all.
First panel.
"The good news! Zappy is going! (Pic of Z with large pair of scissors.)
The second panel.
"The bad news. Rajoy is coming!" (Pic of Rajoy holding a MASSIVE pair of shears.)
#155
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: near Colmenar, Prov de Malaga
Posts: 5,174
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
whats the problem Fiona ?? the thread title reads (here in the uk) Embarrassed by the Brits? so sure it is the same out in sunnyland.the op was on about attitudes and language and the discussion currently is about the use of words which may or may not cause embarrassment
in the words of the Great Moderator - keep digging until I tell you to stop !
rgds
in the words of the Great Moderator - keep digging until I tell you to stop !
rgds
#157
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
All the great dictators are Galician. Fidel Castro and Franco to name two.
However, Rajoy is not one of them. He is just a puppet for the slimeball Aznar and his possie who will go around privitising state services so their mates can make a quick buck.
I don't think the PP are anti-immigrant after all immigration soared when they were in power. The PP are simply pro-church, pro-Castellano and pro-easy money
However, Rajoy is not one of them. He is just a puppet for the slimeball Aznar and his possie who will go around privitising state services so their mates can make a quick buck.
I don't think the PP are anti-immigrant after all immigration soared when they were in power. The PP are simply pro-church, pro-Castellano and pro-easy money
#158
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
While I'm a long way from fluent myself and probably never will be (I forget English words), I do in fact speak quite a lot of Spanish and understand and read even more.
Last edited by megmet; Sep 7th 2011 at 5:32 pm.
#159
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
Perhaps it's only snobbish in-comers who think they know Spanish better than the indigenous people who don't know of it's common usage.
#161
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
I don't need to be integrated, you obviously aren't. Asked a spanish friend today...never heard of it You are digging yourself into a hole...methinks the lady doth protest too much
3 posts in a row...oh dear. Shall we be kind and say it is widely used!!
3 posts in a row...oh dear. Shall we be kind and say it is widely used!!
Last edited by jackytoo; Sep 7th 2011 at 6:00 pm.
#162
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
Hi! This is my first post. I'm a Spaniard planning to move to UK and I came to this forum just to learn more about Brits. This is an ideal place for me to do so, given that British expats like you have an invaluable view of both cultures. You point with your comments to remarkable facts that will help me a lot when I arrive to the UK.
I realize that there's room for improvement in my English, so please be patient if I use odd expressions or even grammar faults. Corrections will be more than welcome.
I don't mean to be an intruder here, but in the other hand I think I can contribute with my point of view and thus give something in return to the community.
So...
I realize that there's room for improvement in my English, so please be patient if I use odd expressions or even grammar faults. Corrections will be more than welcome.
I don't mean to be an intruder here, but in the other hand I think I can contribute with my point of view and thus give something in return to the community.
So...
Hhmm, "marida" = helpmate/wife. Would this marida "wears the trousers"? (only joking!)
"Esposa" = wife, spouse (formal). I'm guessing this word is used more often by the older generation. (I use it.) Besides which this word is used in Church wedding ceremonies, isn't it?
#163
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
Hi! This is my first post. I'm a Spaniard planning to move to UK and I came to this forum just to learn more about Brits. This is an ideal place for me to do so, given that British expats like you have an invaluable view of both cultures. You point with your comments to remarkable facts that will help me a lot when I arrive to the UK.
I realize that there's room for improvement in my English, so please be patient if I use odd expressions or even grammar faults. Corrections will be more than welcome.
I don't mean to be an intruder here, but in the other hand I think I can contribute with my point of view and thus give something in return to the community.
So,
1) The word *'marida' is not in the Spanish dictionary and AFAIK that word isn't used at all by any Spaniard with the caveat of jokes. Therefore I foresee it won't be added to the thesaurus. We use to correct children when they use such word and we explain to them that the correct term is 'mujer' or 'esposa'. 'Pareja' is also used, but --and this is completely personal-- when people use this word, it seems to me that they are hiding their marital status and/or their sexual preferences. 'Media naranja' does so, but since it's more informal it sounds better to me. If you want to me very formal, 'cónyuge' is your word.
2) I wouldn't assume a waiter/waitress prefers a swelled bill instead of a good conversation. First, because he/she could be an employee with fixed wages. Second, because the average Spaniard loves conversation. And it's up to the individual to be kind regardless other considerations.
3) Beyond the language you speak to the people it is the attitude that matters. Of course it is polite to ask first in the local language whether or not they can speak English. But if you're ordering and you have no option because you only speak your language, your only tool is your hand sign and your language. The average Spanish bartender understands this and tries to give service, in English, French, Russian or Swahili. Anyway if you plan to travel to a country with other language, it is smart to learn some basic constructs. The good news is that mastering English and Spanish, you can communicate with 80% of people around the world.
And I agree that most of the times you get what you are expecting.
By the way, we Spaniards get embarrassed lots of times by our fellow's behaviour. None of us want to be labelled because other's misbehaviour. I'm glad we have that in common.
I realize that there's room for improvement in my English, so please be patient if I use odd expressions or even grammar faults. Corrections will be more than welcome.
I don't mean to be an intruder here, but in the other hand I think I can contribute with my point of view and thus give something in return to the community.
So,
1) The word *'marida' is not in the Spanish dictionary and AFAIK that word isn't used at all by any Spaniard with the caveat of jokes. Therefore I foresee it won't be added to the thesaurus. We use to correct children when they use such word and we explain to them that the correct term is 'mujer' or 'esposa'. 'Pareja' is also used, but --and this is completely personal-- when people use this word, it seems to me that they are hiding their marital status and/or their sexual preferences. 'Media naranja' does so, but since it's more informal it sounds better to me. If you want to me very formal, 'cónyuge' is your word.
2) I wouldn't assume a waiter/waitress prefers a swelled bill instead of a good conversation. First, because he/she could be an employee with fixed wages. Second, because the average Spaniard loves conversation. And it's up to the individual to be kind regardless other considerations.
3) Beyond the language you speak to the people it is the attitude that matters. Of course it is polite to ask first in the local language whether or not they can speak English. But if you're ordering and you have no option because you only speak your language, your only tool is your hand sign and your language. The average Spanish bartender understands this and tries to give service, in English, French, Russian or Swahili. Anyway if you plan to travel to a country with other language, it is smart to learn some basic constructs. The good news is that mastering English and Spanish, you can communicate with 80% of people around the world.
And I agree that most of the times you get what you are expecting.
By the way, we Spaniards get embarrassed lots of times by our fellow's behaviour. None of us want to be labelled because other's misbehaviour. I'm glad we have that in common.
#164
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
If it is not common,I think it should be.
#165
Re: Embarrassed by the Brits?
I don't remember, I got married 11 years ago! But 'esposos' is used for sure.