I did accept what JLFS said (that he used it jokingly). That doesn't mean that the rest of andalucía uses it. I have been coming to Spain since I was a tot, I went to University there, I lived there for 15 years.......I have never once heard marida used, nor heard it on TV or seen it in a book or newspaper, so it can't be common usage can it

Wise,very wise...............


I think because the way this thread is going, I will just have to beat the crap out of "my marida" for causing all this argy bargy.

I will also take away certain priveleges from her too, teach her a lesson.

BTW do you take credit card?

Swipe and Wipe ? that'll do nicely sir !!!

My kinda woman

Getting back to the OP. Rather than being embarrassed and dare I say smug that some British can't ask for a beer what about stepping in to help. Oh I forgot, some of you suffer from hating their own nationality syndrome....there's a word for that, anyone remember what it is

I stepped in to help once. The couple I helped (in their 30s) didnt appreciate it at all. They glared at me like I'd just insulted them but didnt actually say a word to me, like I'd hurt their pride

That's of course the problem. It isn't the case like Jacky says of hating them, it's caution about not causing offence.

As someone said earlier on, there is a tendency in forum-land to say things which we would probably decide not to say face to face. I think - hope - I barely ever if ever fall into that trap.
As to hating one's own nationality? I think if you revisit my OP, although it was quite clear the couple I referred to were (probably) British, I also questioned whether any other nationalities do what they do. It's not to me specific to the British, though one sees instances because of the number of us around. It's just down to (back to) common courtesy. And step in to help? The waiter did, after a few attempts, get what their order was and bring it. When people are questioning specific menu choices, etc., yes I do sometimes offer help.

I was once asked to help translate in a dispute over a barking dog. Result was that both parties stopped talking to me

That is a typical response, the helper always seem to get kicked in the teeth because it has given them a third party to dump the blame onto.

Rosemary

marida ?
a word that doesn't exist because it isnt in a formal dictionary, which does come up on at least web-based spanish\english dictionary, and when used by youngsters their elders tell them not to use it but to use other "more acceptable" words instead

perhaps we should have a thread about anglo-saxon words that come under the heading of "expletive deleted", are in common useage but dont appear in certain "formal" dictionaries just to show visitors to this site we are even handed.

in all languages there are words, old and new, that some (or a majority) would not want used. some english words which were in common use 40 years ago, and at that time totally innocent, are now totally unacceptable because of changes in diversity expectations.

perhaps with hindsight you actually feel glad about that ..

although the dog probably still talks to you as they are sensible..

The husband and wife team who have been trying to put us out of business really do take some believing.Although they evidently seem happy to be working together, over our time here we have heard so many stories about what the man says about his own wife to other brits....Its nasty stuff...things about her face...that he dosent like her very much...and the fact that she gets her boobs out on the internet for other men to look at when hes not there.

Would other nationalities stoop that low...I dont know.Im not embarrassed by the brits...I just dont seem to understand many.

I bet i know who's going to ask for the website......

all of us ???