I find the German language robust and understandable where as my wife cannot get to grips with it at all. She is from the south West and of course myself the north. I can pronounce my R's no problem, I think it might be accent related. Every other day I find myself learning new ways to say or ask for something and my office colleagues encourage me. However, when it comes to the French language I find it near impossible yet my wife gets by with day to day vocabulary without any hardship!
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Germany, thinking about making it official!
Collapse
X
-
"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain -
Originally posted by VectraMan View PostAnd none of it makes sense: a skirt is masculine, a tie is feminine, and a girl is neuter.I've seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark, Rome is the light.Comment
-
Originally posted by VectraMan View PostIAnd none of it makes sense: a skirt is masculine, a tie is feminine, and a girl is neuter.
Das Mädchen or das Fräulein (girl) for example are neuter because the -chen and -lein endings indicate a diminutive and those are neuter.
German diminutives
Complex nouns generally take the gender of the last word e.g. das Wochenende (weekend) because it's das Ende (end).
There are exceptions. Although it's das Wort (word) you get die Antwort* (answer), because the Ant bit comes from Greek, but in the main the above rule applies.Behold the warranty -- the bold print giveth and the fine print taketh away.Comment
-
Stages of Immigration [: Losses in Translation :]
Lets chart Scooters progress.
I'd guess Scooter is currently in Stage 1. 'The honeymoon phase'. Everything in Germany is brilliant!! Maybe his wife is already in stage 2 'rejection'.
Will they make it to stage 4? Stay tuned....Comment
-
Originally posted by Flashman View PostStages of Immigration [: Losses in Translation :]
Lets chart Scooters progress.
I'd guess Scooter is currently in Stage 1. 'The honeymoon phase'. Everything in Germany is brilliant!! Maybe his wife is already in stage 2 'rejection'.
Will they make it to stage 4? Stay tuned....
Home will always be Scotty land it's like an umbilical cord that cannot be cut.
Staying beyond 6 months here is awkward just from the tax perspective, just wish it was simple and straight forward. The only thing that puts us off are the doubts over the advice we may receive.
As for feeling alienated... there's a strong expat community here, which sure enough we meet up regularly, which also includes German flat mates and work colleagues. There not that much different from us, IMO, more attention to detail for sure it's engrained. Otherwise we meet up have a drink, usually hot beverage rather than alcohol.
You can live here as if you've never left home. It's not like being abroad at all, this being in Europe feels energising feels a lot more prosperous than the home I've been unable to get a job in for the last 5 years (i.e. Edinburgh). As long as the BBC news keeps pumping out the doom about cuts there's no desire to rush back either."Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark TwainComment
-
Originally posted by scooterscot View PostNone of this applies to us whatsoever. This is Germany not the far east!
I have recently seen an article from a german writer talking about many immigrants within EU from the unluckiest EU states to the richest ones (sorry I don't have it in English) and how they can strongly keep their cultural identities in a far easier way than it was 50 years ago. And most of all, they can manage to act more "native" abroad even more than in the countries they were born where is often difficult to express yourself because of several bareers and a generic flattening attitude of people feeling home. In a few words Scooter might be able to be even more scottish in Frankfurt than how he could be in Glasgow or Edinburgh and people will accept him as the "scotman" and not just another foreigner. The availability of cheap flights makes easier and faster to go to Scotland from Germany than let's say traveling from many places in UK.I've seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark, Rome is the light.Comment
-
Originally posted by Francko View PostIn a few words Scooter might be able to be even more scottish in Frankfurt than how he could be in Glasgow or Edinburgh and people will accept him as the "scotman" and not just another foreigner.
Originally posted by Francko View PostThe availability of cheap flights makes easier and faster to go to Scotland from Germany than let's say traveling from many places in UK.
Next Friday I could return to Edinburgh for 67 Euros with ryanair don't care.
An internal flight in the UK on the same day with easyjet to Bristol say (a route I did often) £132 one way."Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark TwainComment
-
Originally posted by scooterscot View Post
Home will always be Scotty land it's like an umbilical cord that cannot be cut."See, you think I give a tulip. Wrong. In fact, while you talk, I'm thinking; How can I give less of a tulip? That's why I look interested."Comment
-
Originally posted by Moscow Mule View PostI've met 2nd & 3rd generation Kiwi-scots who think like that.
I think I'm supposed to feel impressed but really I think why did my distant ancestors get off the boat, ah yes I remember, the rain won't fecking stop!!"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark TwainComment
-
Originally posted by scooterscot View PostMaybe elsewhere in Germany but here in Berlin English is spoken everywhere... Although I'm learning the language because I feel is £$%@£ british
Regarding the shops, they closed every Saturday at 1pm, but as a special treat they stayed open to 4pm once a month. What I couldn't believe was the post office closing for two hours every lunchtime.Comment
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- Streamline Your Retirement with iSIPP: A Solution for Contractor Pensions Sep 1 09:13
- Making the most of pension lump sums: overview for contractors Sep 1 08:36
- Umbrella company tribunal cases are opening up; are your wages subject to unlawful deductions, too? Aug 31 08:38
- Contractors, relabelling 'labour' as 'services' to appear 'fully contracted out' won't dupe IR35 inspectors Aug 31 08:30
- How often does HMRC check tax returns? Aug 30 08:27
- Work-life balance as an IT contractor: 5 top tips from a tech recruiter Aug 30 08:20
- Autumn Statement 2023 tipped to prioritise mental health, in a boost for UK workplaces Aug 29 08:33
- Final reminder for contractors to respond to the umbrella consultation (closing today) Aug 29 08:09
- Top 5 most in demand cyber security contract roles Aug 25 08:38
- Changes to the right to request flexible working are incoming, but how will contractors be affected? Aug 24 08:25
Comment