Speaking of not knowing conversions, two funny stories.

My roommate Andrew, in 2000, wanted 3 kilos of ham. So he got a little ticked when the carnicero said, "Who are you feeding?" When he came home with 6+ pounds of ham, he then figured out why the carnicero asked him that.

My friend Kevin, with whom I stayed this past spring break (March 3 - 9) wanted a kilo of PERCA (fish), so I put in the order for him while he went to buy turkey. As the woman was filling the order, Kevin came back and was surprised to see her continue putting on fish after fish after fish. He told he that was enough and then looked at me. He said that he didn't want that much. I think that he didn't realize the conversion factor.

Thanks again, Espe3 for those conversions.

Shawn

quote:

I don't feel ofense at all when some ask 'la ultima', in fact I enjoy it. It's a kind of joke to ask always for 'la ultima', specially when there are no women.

Shucks, I've always asked "Quien es la ultima PERSONA?", which could apply to women or men...maybe that's why I never get snickers; I had figured they just thought I was uninteresting or something! :jeje:

HAHAHHA....Wow Chica, I thought I was the onlyone perplexed by this "es usted la ultima" thing, although I encounterred it in the bus lines more than in the sotres. See, I became quite the frequent rider of the 52, which leaves from Sol...so I would be standing there on those bus platform things and all of these people would always be like "es la ultima???" and i was always like "ummm i think so", not even realizing that there was a line involved to get on the bus...Little did I know that i was offending people left and right just waltzing right up to the platform and standing wherever i felt like, probably cutting into the middle of the "line" that had been forming for 10 minutes already!!!

I never quite got the line thing until being in Spain ans OBSERVING. I love to just observe people and see interaction among them. This has helped me a great deal when doing things in Spain. There's this UNSPOKEN thing and I love it.

Shawn

quote:

Little did I know that i was offending people left and right just waltzing right up to the platform and standing wherever i felt like, probably cutting into the middle of the "line" that had been forming for 10 minutes already!!!

Luckily, most people give you the benefit of the doubt for not knowing the customs. Or, they yell at you once, you "get it" and are careful the next time! :jeje:

In '99, I remember waiting in line at the Alhambra for the audio-guides desk. Irene stood in line while I leaned against the counter (my back was really sore and it felt better that way. I mentioned this to a few of the Spaniards in line and they understood that I wasn't trying to cut in.

However, person behind the desk (from another country) had a fit and wouldn't wait on us when Irene got to the front of the line. The Spaniards implored her to serve me, because they knew why I was standing there, plus Irene was in the actual place in line. Finally a supervisor came over, and the person behind the desk told him that I was "just like all the other Americans who try to cut the line."

Luckily, several Spaniards loudly proclamed that this was nonsense and that I had done nothing wrong. I just kept my cool and quietly said that my wife was in the line for me, and that I was there just because it made my sore back feel better. So, under the glare of the supervisor, she very begrudgingly gave me the audio-guide (maybe in her country, people get shot for not standing in a perfectly straight line). Several of the Spaniards apologized for the problem.

Just goes to show that keeping your cool and explaining the situation often can clear up the situation.

Goodness Paul, what a trial! I had a similar experience at the gift store at the Cathedral in Santiago, I wanted a closer look at the charms on the counter. The three men in front of me were looking at books beside the cash register and the glass counter was empty, I asked them if they would mind if I got in front to look at the counter, they said go ahead, so I stepped up and started to look and the little galleguita at the desk said to me, "Vale, se�ora,no es su turno. La linea termina atras." And, I being a stubburn Asturiana, said, "S�, hija, pero los azabaches no estan atras!" anyway, if looks could kill, I'd be a dead viejita! :jeje:

haha...Booklady, you jst reminded me of another Cola story...So one day I stopped into the dia near my house on the way home to see if they had some product I was searching for (I dont even remember what it was now)....they did not, so i went to leave by walking past the line waiting to pay. Well the cashier was going to have none of that and told me that "hay que hacer cola" I explained to her that I had nothing to buyso she told me to leave via the other line. So i go over to that line and go to walk by the people there to get out, and a Senora, grabs my arm and says in her most disdainful and disgusted voice "Hay una cola" to which I responded "para salir, senora?" SHe just turned her head and gave a little Hmmmpppff, and I walked past the almighty Cola and por fin out of the Dia.....Seriously, Cola=God to some people..

Now that you mentioned that story I have a little one myself. It's not about 'cola' but rather my apparent total disregard and unawareness of my surroundings (lol).

I was in a champion supermarket and as soon as you pass through the automatic doors there are two little saloon type gates that swing both ways. I proceeded to walk through these gates and one of the security guards whistled at me, it was more like a rude sst sst hissing sound. I turned around and she's says 'Caballero! por alli! So i turn around and think what the hell?...and see a little sign that says salida. I couldn't believe it. I had to walk ALL the way around (with everyone looking at me as if I had robbed an old lady)to go in the proper set of saloon gates. I don't know what's worse, having such a complicated entrance or making such a big stink about going through the "exit".

Mikey

My GOD Mike, you went in the exit

You should be grateful to be alive :jeje: :jeje: :jeje:

Saludos,
jer...

Yes, I think Mike's experience caused Led Zeppelin to create an album titled "In the Out Door". :jeje:

Hi all,

Getting down to the wire and I'm getting antsy. No one has to answer cuz I realize this could be personal but, I'm bringing about 11,000$ with me for like 12 months. I will be studying most of the time and eating at home or at my gf's house. After rent I have about 600$ to spend on misc each month. I'll also probably be tutoring some people in English once a week. Hopefully that could cover my pocket money.

I know many of the posts cover this but some are a little old. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance because it's getting close. <gulp>

Thanks!

Mikey

Hi Mikey, If you are covered for rent and utilities and it is just you with the 600$ I am sure you will be fine!!! I am presuming that you only need to have fun eating and drinking etc. No fancy clothes buying etc etc!
It is much more expensive here in the Canaries than on the Peninsula. I budget 50� a week for food, and I can eat well on that. I spend 10� a week on petrol for my car (there is no public transport here to speak of). I earn 290� per month, so at the end of each month sometimes I can splash out, sometimes not!

Mikey, that will be plenty.

Consider yourself reassured

Saludos,
jer...