Impressed and not impressed

[tonicha]

It's tricky when the lines between friendship and a working relationship get blurred

I wouldn't call her a friend Kaz

One of those people, Ally will know, that when you live abroad, doesn't mean that every English - or Scottish - person is going to be your friend, just because they're English - or Scottish.

And why would you consort with people you don't like, just because you're from the same country? If you wouldn't be friendly with them in England, why here?

We are a small, very close community here, albeit very spread out and all help each other out.

This is the last time I'll be using her for anything - I do dislike being taken for a prat.

[Ally]

Well, the language must be the same surely as it's Portuguese.

Can understand inflections and accents as even Seville, which is only a couple of hours away from here, has quite a different accent and thinks us Malagueñas are southern softies.

[Ally]

It's tricky when the lines between friendship and a working relationship get blurred

I wouldn't call her a friend Kaz

One of those people, Ally will know, that when you live abroad, doesn't mean that every English - or Scottish - person is going to be your friend, just because they're English - or Scottish.

And why would you consort with people you don't like, just because you're from the same country? If you wouldn't be friendly with them in England, why here?

We are a small, very close community here, albeit very spread out and all help each other out.

This is the last time I'll be using her for anything - I do dislike being taken for a prat.

Glad you won't use her again Ton. xx

[tonicha]

Yes, the language is the same and the inflections are certainly different.

What makes it funny is that most of the Portuguese expect you to speak English and when you speak Portuguese, you have to repeat yourself about a dozen times, by which time you've lost the plot

[Kaz]

OK, sorry, I misunderstood.

[Ally]

Yes, the language is the same and the inflections are certainly different.

What makes it funny is that most of the Portuguese expect you to speak English and when you speak Portuguese, you have to repeat yourself about a dozen times, by which time you've lost the plot

Our lot here gave us no concessions - when we first moved here and were learning the language, when we faltered they'd be there, like teachers, practically giving us one minute to get it right! It worked though...we've since found out they don't understand how people (all nationalities) can move to a different country and not learn to speak the language.

[tonicha]

[quote="Ally"]they don't understand how people (all nationalities) can move to a different country and not learn to speak the language.

Think the local people are a little more tolerant. As we say, the Portuguese language is one of the most difficult to understand - the tele in the morning has lessons and a lot of the Portuguese get it wrong and our lovely locals tell us we've not a hope in hell of ever being completely fluent.

People, like Sue, who have lived here for 20 odd years, still get the verbs wrong.

But they're very understanding.

Talking to Alberto earlier, I knew what he was saying, about where Mercedes (who used to live here) and Odette was asking where she now is. I told her Almadover, she heard it was Rosario, then Alberto asked Sue to translate - and I was right, Odette was wrong. But Odette has always lived within 5 kms of where she is now and speaks very differently to her husband, Jose, who I can understand perfectly. And he understands me too, when he wants to but he's lived in Germany, Italy, France and is used to different accents.

[Ally]

We've found the Spanish to be the most tolerant people we've ever met - for us, they are the nicest, kindest people.

We told the locals when we moved here they were to push us learning the language and as we had two 10 year olds who were like sponges soaking it up, we really wanted to, and needed to get on board.

[tonicha]

Speaking to Jan, who is married to a Portuguese bloke, the other day, she will help us understand the Alentejana way a bit more. He's from oop north - Portugal - and even he struggled when they moved down here, apparently

We've not a hope in hell...............

[Ally]

Speaking to Jan, who is married to a Portuguese bloke, the other day, she will help us understand the Alentejana way a bit more. He's from oop north - Portugal - and even he struggled when they moved down here, apparently

We've not a hope in hell...............

¡Oh querido!