 Poster: A snowHead
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| DB wrote: |
| There are two particular German programs about immagrating German familes on TV here. One program is about the people with dreams going out with all sorts of crazy ideas (sausage stands etc) the other program covers their return when it all goes t!ts up. . |
Is that Goodbye Deutchland ? I watch that. The Germans emigrate to some bizzare places !!
http://de.youtube.com/results?search_query=goodbye+deutchland&search_type=&aq=f
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 29-11-08 14:07; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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stanton,
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| The Germans to emigrate to some bizzare places |
I wouldnt call Holland 'bizarre' .. just the views some of the folks who live there. 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Agenterre wrote: |
stanton,
| Quote: |
| The Germans to emigrate to some bizzare places |
I wouldnt call Holland 'bizarre' .. just the views some of the folks who live there. |
Mof are not welcome in Holland
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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stanton, "MoF" ????? ..
I think I understand now " Racist Tw@s only" ? 
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Agenterre, I wondered about that, and - having, sadly, consulted the internet acronyms dictionary - decided that he was saying, 'as a matter of fact Germans aren't welcome in Holland.' I think.
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Hurtle, Thanks .. I was confused ( as usual). Having recently spent a week there, their integration is to be admired. However if one were racist ....
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| DB wrote: |
| you are accusing the people who are trying to be straight with you as being greedy ("I like the way you're both trying to put people off so you can have the place to yourselves") - my answer to that is a very un-agressive "well if you don't believe us then try it". |
Hahaha. Brilliant. Accusing people of being greedy. I love it.
Because, you know, that's exactly what I did, complete with a SMILEY.
Just because you've moved to Germany doesn't mean you have to lose your sense of humour. It might help you fit in if you pretend not to have one, I suppose.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| paulio wrote: |
| Just because you've moved to Germany doesn't mean you have to lose your sense of humour. It might help you fit in if you pretend not to have one, I suppose. |
I'm not in Germany you dipstick, but thanks for the laugh. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Agenterre wrote: |
| stanton, "MoF" ????? .. |
The English use the word "Kraut", the Austrians use "piefke" the cloghoppers use "Mof" as a slang term for Germans.
Link in german
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mof
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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DB, did you actually just take that seriously?
Crikey. Thank god your lot didn't win the war.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| paulio wrote: |
DB, did you actually just take that seriously?
Crikey. Thank god your lot didn't win the war. |
I think you'll find that DB comes from Manchester ( forgive me if that's wrong DB ). Of course it is a good job that the Mancunians didn't win the war. Question is, which war was that 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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DB, Have you got altitude sickness or something? I'm sorry but you're completely putting me off the idea of moving abroad, if only to avoid having to meet uptight ex-pats like yourself. Seriously mate, chill out! Paulio's only messing around and you're getting all defensive about how hard it is to live abroad, like all of us who are considering it are just a bunch of jokers who are going to turn up, decide it's pants and head straight back to Blighty on the first Easy Jet flight!
I didn't start this post for an argument mate so just calm down a bit... 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| 2000overdrive wrote: |
DB, Have you got altitude sickness or something? I'm sorry but you're completely putting me off the idea of moving abroad, if only to avoid having to meet uptight ex-pats like yourself. Seriously mate, chill out! Paulio's only messing around and you're getting all defensive about how hard it is to live abroad, like all of us who are considering it are just a bunch of jokers who are going to turn up, decide it's pants and head straight back to Blighty on the first Easy Jet flight!
I didn't start this post for an argument mate so just calm down a bit... |
I sense that DB and co have lost the English sense of humour here. So, not only are they never "properly accepted" in their adopted countries, they no longer are on the same wavelength as 2000 overdrive and Paulio.
It is hard to project comedy via this medium, But DB, anyone who wants to make the change knows that hard work is involved, but this seems to imply that you done little in th UK as its "oooh so much harder out there".
You have to work hard over here too to make a living, its all presure, they are not giving money away in London you know ! Its a lifestyle choice and one that requires careful consideration.... anyone making that consideration surely does not think they are going to chill out on holiday for the rest of theirt lives (unless lucky enough).
You may have made the lifestyle switch, but that does not make you superior DB.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Libertine, I'd like to opt out of your 'and co' please!
I'd also like to say that I'm really not recognising all this village hostility that people are describing - it might be different in Austria, but I've only ever found people to be friendly here. You're obviously not going to fit right in and be described as a local, because you're not one, but so what?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| DB wrote: |
| No I'm not superior but really shouldn't be taking take crap and insults from people who have only talked the talk. The same people I'm trying to help with straight advice so they can prepare themselves for what lies ahead. |
Hello.
Nobody's insulting anyone. I reckon you might have overreacted to an idle gag I posted earlier, and then I might have bit slightly too hard in response.
Propose we leave it all there, no harm done, and get back on topic. Whaddayasay?
I'd offer to kiss and make up but the last time I kissed a man from Manchester it all went horribly wrong.
For the record I'm pretty damn sure that upping sticks and moving to the Alps is a massive upheaval and involves a tonne of yer actual proper hard graft, and I've nothing but admiration (tinged with the faint envy that admiration often brings) for people who have made a success of it. In fact (feel free, anyone, to go back and check) I have not said a single word to the contrary, ever.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Mon 1-12-08 10:08; edited 1 time in total
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| paulio wrote: |
Propose we leave it all there, no harm done, and get back on topic. Whaddayasay?
I'd offer to kiss and make up but the last time I kissed a man from Manchester it all went horribly wrong. |
OK, but this time no tongues.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| paulio wrote: |
| For the record I'm pretty damn sure that upping sticks and moving to the Alps is a massive upheaval and involves a tonne of yer actual proper hard graft, and I've nothing but admiration (tinged with the faint envy that admiration often brings) for people who have made a success of it. In fact (feel free, anyone, to go back and check) I have not said a single word to the contrary, ever. |
It's not so much the hard graft it's the fact that you drop down the ladder. One day you could be an up and coming manager the next you could just be an immigrant cleaner / general dogsbody who can't even talk properly. At first ordering a sandwich in the local shop was an ordeal. It's the same with any country I've experienced, the locals only give up the menial posts (e.g. Polish people working in the UK). In my case I've ended up doing the work of people above me who have then moved up without moving up the ladder myself. It's more who you are and who you know (esp politically) than what you can do here. You can't have it all and I've sacrificed my career for things like family time and skiing, but when I look back I don't think I will miss those extra hours in the office. It can be done but it normally takes a while to get comfortable again. Be weary that the locals don't normally give up good business opportunities either (these are kept in the family/ friends circle) so that dream business (e.g. hotel, guest house etc) might not be the goer you thought it was so check it all out carefully. My parents are now living in Spain and they are currently being shafted by the spainiards. They don't want to move back but they too realize it's not as easy or forseeable as they thought.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
One day you could be an up and coming manager the next you could just be an immigrant cleaner / general dogsbody who can't even talk properly.
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My, that sounds familiar. Not easy, particularly when you're actually quite bright and used to being recognised as such. Makes me laugh when the Daily Mail types accuse immigrants of going to the UK for 'an easy life' - they have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| 2000overdrive wrote: |
| Anyway, back to topic... DB, how long would you say it took to be comfortable and in the time you've been there do you find many people coming out there to try it, then realising it's too difficult and going home again? |
We are all different (thankfully), some will slot in and never move back. Some people (e.g. partners) miss their family,friends, Fish & Chips too much and go back as soon as possible. I'm not in a resort but Austria's capital city, working a normal (non-ski industry related) job but being able to drive / train to the resorts. I'm a long way from the major resorts though. Friends of mine have moved from the UK to places like Geneva but to further their career they have taken opportunities elsewhere. Some have moved back to the UK, others are in Germany, one is in Holland and another has moved here etc. Have heard from many people that getting accomodation in Geneva is very difficult. Perhaps Lizzard, Easiski or others could comment on what it's like in the resort. My impression is that resort work normally doesn't pay enough to raise a family etc and once people have done a season or two their skiing / boarding skills are developed and they look for other challenges in life. Positions elsewhere that will reward them better financially. This enables them to explore life's other pleasures but still be skilled enough to ski/board for a week or two on the slopes of the world's more challenging resorts. I'd say it's true for most people who stay - they never reach the place on the career ladder that they would of reached had they stayed in the UK. It's down to what that individual and their family deems as comfortable. If you are the only mad-for-it-skier / boarder in your family and you have a good circle of family / friends back in the UK it will almost certainly not work. I moved out when I didn't have any dependants or mortgage (was renting) and could of picked up something back in the UK had it gone belly up. Although I couldn't speak German my wife (then gf) is Austrian which made it a lot easier too.
| 2000overdrive wrote: |
By the way, I'm from Blackpool, I just live in London now, so you don't have to worry about me being a southerner!  |
Did my degree at The University of Central Lancashire (that's Preston poly to us normal folk).
If anyone is thinking of moving to the alps then start learning/improving the language now (e.g. French, German etc). Worse case you don't move but can still insult queue pushers whilst on a ski holiday in their own language. 
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DB, did you find the language to be much of a barrier to your career? I've known people come out here and work in places like Siemens for more than ten years without learning the language  Some of them have done OK career wise. Everyone here speaks english, to the extent that it's sometimes difficult to get them to speak German with you!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It's good that this thread has got back on track. I've worked a few winter seasons in Austria & Switzerland for local ski schools which just about covered my expenses, but didn't allow for any luxuries. I've attempted on a couple of occasions to stay year round but as DB states, finding work ain't easy. The only summer work i could get was labouring, driving/deliveries, cleaning, bar work etc. Although it paid enough for me to survive, it was a bit "hand to mouth" style of living.
I'm getting a bit too old to be doing that now. I guess if you're seriously looking into living in or near the Alps, a robust and realistic wage earning plan must be top of your priority list. Most of this thread is useful and informative, Good luck.
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[quote]
anyone is thinking of moving to the alps then start learning/improving the language now (e.g. French, German etc). Worse case you don't move but can still insult queue pushers whilst on a ski holiday in their own language.
HA HA, i think that is definately the key to learn the language. I feel that the work would certainly be lower paid but would hoper to have the sufficient funds behind me so that I did not HAVE to work all the time. However, working is the best way to really get to know the area and help you meet different people and have new skills to move around freely and help with the local language.
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I didn't speak much french when I came here, and my 'friend' who did a fair bit of translation for me turned out to be not as helpful as I thought. Once I could speak enough french (and he'd left due to failing his exams) I found he'd mis-represented a fair bit of what I said, and plain old lied on a few occasions. the local french are much friendlier that DB, suggests the local austrians are, but when you're the incomer you have to be the one to make the effort.
Yes I did mean the Scottish highlands, and I have to say that the hardest place that I've moved to is Yorkshire - much more difficult than either Scotland or France.
Boredsurfing, I would sooooo love to be able to spend the interseasons here - it's so peaceful.  Unfortunately I have to go back to the UK to earn some money in the autumn as I can't get temp work here. I don't write french well, and my back trouble and the tendonitis in my right arm mean that I can no longer do cleaning. BTW I don't see any problem with doing cleaning jobs either.
Yes, it is hand to mouth to a large degree, but once you've thrown off the idea of living in an oversized space for your needs, and buying lots of new stuff just because you can, you do get used to it. If you have what you need, what else do you want???
WRT people realising that it'll be hard etc - well, we've all seen lots of people come and go again over the years, most people don't realise how hard it will be, so those of us who might have appeared discouraging are just being realistic.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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DB, easiski, If you don't mind me asking, what do you plan to do as you get older and get towards retirement age? Do you have a contingency plan, will you come back to the UK or stick it out in Austria and France respectively?
Is it right to assume that what can be difficult now would become almost impossible as you reach old age.
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Such an interesting thread. I planned, at one stage, to live in France - with pretty fluent spoken and written French already and with specific skilled (professional) work in mind, two essential conditions IMV. That fell through for family reasons but I was very clear at the time that, although it would be good to be within easy reach of the Alps (and within 10 minutes of Mont Ventoux, a sort of outdoor equivalent of a snowdome! ) there was no way I would survive, either financially or socially, actually living in a ski resort.
One thing that I found when I did a season - working as a resort rep for Supertravel - many years ago, was that most people wanted to talk about skiing all the time. Dare I admit on this forum that that proved fairly boring in the end? (I'll get my coat, just in case.)
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FAQ
Insulting people who are trying to give correct information is really annoying.
I have many conversations where the other person hears my accent and still wants to speak English, I've had whole conversations this way. You get more respect if you learn the local language but I would say it depends on the company's business language (e.g. some Austrian firms are very international and have English not German as their business language).