Mind your language

[John Gill]

Paying a visit to Liverpool last weekend, called into a pub near Central Station for a swift half. Sitting in the lounge we sat next to a group of lads who were obviously Scandinavian, judging from their accents. They were joined by a couple more friends and asked if they could use the spare chairs from our table. The fact that they spoke perfect English and were very polite made us aware that it is fortunate that English is 'the Lingua Franca' of this planet and that's probably the reason we , as English(or Scots Irish and maybe Welsh) are not encouraged to learn a foreign language either at some schools or later on in life. One of my grandsons has recently become proficient in 'Signing' being able to converse with deaf and dumb people, but learning a foreign language seems to take a back seat. But back to the pub, where i observed a practice not seen since sitting, skint, in May Sullivans bar in BA. Six guys emptying their pockets onto the table and counting up to see if there was enough to pay for another round. The Tarpaulin Muster is alive and well in Liverpool.

[Keith Tindell]

I think most of us guys at sea got by with a smattering of Spanish, and a bit of German. I learned quite a bit of German when i sailed on a Baltic boat, iwas the only Brit in the crew (apart from the officers), mainly German plus Dutch and a Lithuanian, so the main line of communication was of course English, KT

[Jim Brady]

John we all spoke Spanish did'nt we, remember three of you going into May Sullivans and getting the round in "Dos cerveza and una rum and coke for my mate".
Regards.
Jim.B.

[John Gill]

Afraid i never got past Dos cervesa and quanta costa- what more does one need?

[cappy]

Afraid i never got past Dos cervesa and quanta costa- what more does one need?

capitana pasa plata manyana,,,,,,,usually answered in English by all nationalities off pi.. off

[john sutton]

I guy I worked with in the insurance business was ex RN and told the story of going into a Spanish port and the skipper announced over the tannoy for anyone speaking spanish.My pal went up to the bridge to report for interpreter duty.When they were coming alongside he was told to tell the shore hands to take the mooring line so he shouts across"hey,you on shorio takio ropio"Was thrown of the bridge and got jankers
john sutton

[Jim Brady]

I remember the pantry boy in BA coming back to the ship a little pizzed off.He was on the job the next thing the girl pushed him off and chased him he could'nt understand why.He said he was telling her how nice she was and she went into a rage.What were you saying to her he was asked "you mucho grande" "me mucho grande" she said in a rage "Si Si you mucho grande".What he was telling her she was very large very big,she was not to pleased to be told she was very large in that part.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[cappy]

I remember the pantry boy in BA coming back to the ship a little pizzed off.He was on the job the next thing the girl pushed him off and chased him he could'nt understand why.He said he was telling her how nice she was and she went into a rage.What were you saying to her he was asked "you mucho grande" "me mucho grande" she said in a rage "Si Si you mucho grande".What he was telling her she was very large very big,she was not to pleased to be told she was very large in that part.
Regards.
Jim.B.

a bet that pantry boy was you jim bragging again

[Jim Brady]

Cappy I was galley boy at the time.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[John Gill]

Re post *7- must have been like throwing sausages up the working alleyway Jim.- As to speaking a foreign language, my favourite term used to be when presented with my bar bill in the First & Last- Capitan- he pay manana. Never worked.