The common stereotypes against British people are:
- they always drink tea & eat Fish&Chips
- on vacations they always get sunburned, because the sun never shines in England
- their humor is dry and sometimes a little bit strange.
But not only because of his car Graham stands out. He is very concerned with the well-being of his co-workers. He couldn't bear seeing me (Mareike) working with bellyache and needing a hot-water bottle (it's the only thing which helps against my little aches and pains and it is not very common in the USA, everything has to be cold here). But Graham found a solution to help me. And when I came back to my desk, a little "hot-water bottle" was waiting for.
- they always drink tea & eat Fish&Chips
- on vacations they always get sunburned, because the sun never shines in England
- their humor is dry and sometimes a little bit strange.
After a few weeks with our intern Graham from Swansea I don't agree with any of these stereotypes. I now believe that British people always drink energy drinks with strange pictures on it, they can never get sunburned because they are always wearing nice "whistles" and big American hats and their humor is everything but strange... To be honest... German humor, which means Nicky's and my humor ("The funny German girls" ©) is nearly the same...!
To score some brownie points at the beginning of his time at AutoCom he brought the new Aquada to the office. And who wants David Hasselhoff and K.I.T.T. when you can have the Earl of Drunwitch and the Aquada? A nice sport car and you only have to push one button and it will be boat. Knight Rider your time is definitely over!!! You CAN Adam & Eve it!!!!
But not only because of his car Graham stands out. He is very concerned with the well-being of his co-workers. He couldn't bear seeing me (Mareike) working with bellyache and needing a hot-water bottle (it's the only thing which helps against my little aches and pains and it is not very common in the USA, everything has to be cold here). But Graham found a solution to help me. And when I came back to my desk, a little "hot-water bottle" was waiting for.
But of course German people are never satisfied and I started complaining (complaning...that's how Germans roll :-)) that I want a bigger hot-water bottle. No, problem for the Earl of Drunwitch (by the way... are you and Manu collecting bottles in the back? Nicky can tell you, collecting bottles is useless in America :-) Sorry, Sweety!!!)
There was really hot water in these bottles. Graham had to use pot holder to bring it to my desk.
Thanks for everything, Graham. It really was a lot of "fun" to work with you. I hope it wasn't too difficult to understand our American friends. A special thank you for teaching me British slang. If I don't get a flight back to Germany, please give me a ride in the Aquada :-)
For everybody who doesn't understand every word, check this out: http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/slang/B
Mareike
Comments
it was a great time we had during your stay and I already miss you and your great British humor.
Take care,
Nicky
Nice post, but we're all looking for an update on what's happened since your return to the UK.