...to want to know your experiences of language students?

[woollyideas]

Having hijacked the other thread (sorry Eric!) here's one especially for people's observations, questions, rants, etc., about language students.

I'll kick off by asking what is your worst experience and what is your best experience of having language students in your home?

[mummylin2495]

glad to see the matter will be resolved Eric Hope the poor students stay has not been too uncomfortable for her.
HumanBehaviour Why did you not say please or thankyou ? what happens in other countries,surely its basic good manners wherever you come from .

[Grockle]

human

I dont think it is, mummylin. Even in the US, they don't say please & thank you like we do here. It always annoys me but it's nit them being rude, it's just different.

[woollyideas]

Well done Eric!

[mummylin2495]

Hi grockle im astounded by what you say,i would of thought that the USa would surely say it ! Oh well i suppose everywhere must be different.I prefer it our way.Has your girl gone ??

[HumanBehaviour]

mummylin, we do say please and thank you, but not as often as you do in this country. We say thank you when we get given things or if someone cooks for us but you say thank you for EVERYTHING in this country, you even thank the bus driver! (Which I agree with now is polite but never have come across to me to do before.)

Shopping at tescos:

• Would you like some help packing?
  
• No, thank you, I'm ok.
  
• Have you got a clubcard?
  

Yes (hands over).

• Thank you! (For handing it over)
  
• Thank you! (For giving it back)
  
• That's £50 please.
  

(Hands over)

• Thank you! (For the note)
  
• And here's your change and receipt.
  
• Thank you! (For getting the receipt and change)
  
• Thanks for shopping, have a nice day!
  
• Oh, thank you, and you!
  
• Thank you! Good bye!
  

Back home I would only say thank you when I leave, as that would be a thanks for everything, but here it would be frowned upon if I didn't say thank you for every little thing the shop assistant does. It's just a cultural difference and I am not less appreciative the times I only say thanks at the end than I am when I say thank you ten times during the process.

[mummylin2495]

Thankyou for explaining it