advertisement
 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-21-2013, 02:54 PM #1
butterfly11's Avatar
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
butterfly11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
Heart OT:Know anything about South Africa/Capetown?

Have you been there?

Do you know anyone who lives there?

There is a lady in our homeschool group, she and her husband just moved here from South Africa - Capetown is the name of the city they are from. She asked to come over on Friday so our children could have a playdate.

I am nervous because I am not generally good at small talk. Although this is one on one and not in a group so I have that in my favor. We have met one other time for a playdate. Last time I asked about were they near Australia? In my mind Australia was right there, so close, but she politely said "no, Australia is a totally different continent". Well duh, I knew that! I'm no accent expert but I could have sworn she spoke like people from Australia. So I asked her about the weather there, were they in summer now, she said yes. Then later in the conversation I asked are ya'll under the Queen of England? She said not since the early 1900's. I think she thinks I'm an idiot!!! Bless her heart though she's real nice about it.

So if you have any conversation starters about South Africa please let me know. Or any good conversation starters in general. Our children seem to get along fine but I can't just sit there and sip coffee. That's what we mostly did the last time and it was just awkward to me.
butterfly11 is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), Mari (01-21-2013), waves (01-21-2013)

advertisement
Old 01-21-2013, 03:04 PM #2
butterfly11's Avatar
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
butterfly11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
Heart

Just thought of this - I will wikipedia South Africa when I have time.
butterfly11 is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), Mari (01-21-2013), waves (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 04:15 PM #3
Mari's Avatar
Mari Mari is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 18,914
15 yr Member
Mari Mari is offline
Legendary
Mari's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 18,914
15 yr Member
Default

Hi, Butterfly,


Quote:
41.4% of Cape Town residents speak Afrikaans at home, 28.7% speak Xhosa, 27.9% speak English, 0.7% speak Sotho, 0.3% speak Zulu, 0.1% speak Tswana and 0.7% of the population speaks a non-official language at home. 76.6% of residents are Christian, 10.7% have no religion, 9.7% are Muslim, 0.5% are Jewish and 0.2% are Hindu. 2.3% have other or undetermined beliefs.[29]

Here are pictures of Capetown. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

Ask her the same questions you would ask someone from Hawaii or Alaska ---
how are the schools?
have you seen any good movies lately?
how long does it take in an airplane to get here?
. . . .

Maybe your guest speaks more than one language.
It is ok to ask about her language. She might speak Afrikaans as well as English-- which comes originally from The Netherlands.

M

Last edited by Mari; 01-21-2013 at 04:35 PM.
Mari is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), butterfly11 (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 04:20 PM #4
Mari's Avatar
Mari Mari is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 18,914
15 yr Member
Mari Mari is offline
Legendary
Mari's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 18,914
15 yr Member
Heart youtubre of Capetown

Butterfly,

Here are some pictures of Capetown on youtube.

Cape Town - Overview (No voice).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpFp5hhCZ4w

Cape Town -- This one is narrated by a local person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3HXXsd3Oc

Clifton Beach Cape Town South Africa (This one starts with loud music -- you might need to turn it down.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R101gCU4XAg

Have fun with your new church member.

Mari
Mari is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), butterfly11 (01-21-2013), waves (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 04:55 PM #5
butterfly11's Avatar
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
butterfly11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
Heart

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mari View Post
Hi, Butterfly,





Here are pictures of Capetown. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

Ask her the same questions you would ask someone from Hawaii or Alaska ---
how are the schools?
have you seen any good movies lately?
how long does it take in an airplane to get here?
. . . .

Maybe your guest speaks more than one language.
It is ok to ask about her language. She might speak Afrikaans as well as English-- which comes originally from The Netherlands.

M
Thank you Mari! Pretty pictures. It looks more urban than I imagined it. I had no idea about the languages. You are right, maybe she speaks more than English, maybe that's why she has an accent? I will ask her. I've always thought it would be neat to be bilingual. Both my maternal grandparents speak French. I took French in school but have forgotten most of it. The other questions are good, too. Thanks!
butterfly11 is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 05:01 PM #6
butterfly11's Avatar
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
butterfly11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
Heart

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mari View Post
Butterfly,

Here are some pictures of Capetown on youtube.

Cape Town - Overview (No voice).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpFp5hhCZ4w

Cape Town -- This one is narrated by a local person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL3HXXsd3Oc

Clifton Beach Cape Town South Africa (This one starts with loud music -- you might need to turn it down.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R101gCU4XAg

Have fun with your new church member.

Mari
Penguins Mari, there are penguins in the 1st video! I'm def going to have to ask her about that!
butterfly11 is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), ginnie (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 05:10 PM #7
ginnie ginnie is offline
Elder
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Anna Maria Island Florida
Posts: 6,278
10 yr Member
ginnie ginnie is offline
Elder
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Anna Maria Island Florida
Posts: 6,278
10 yr Member
Default Hi Butterfly

I know it can be different to talk to people we don't know well. I do have something you can talk about. My son traveled the world in the Navy. He said South Africa is the most beautiful part of the world he had ever seen.
Look on the internet for places that are in that Country. You can look at the topography and see how lush that area of the world is. Ask too about the culture there, and what the Arts are like. Conversation will roll right along. ginnie
ginnie is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), butterfly11 (01-22-2013), waves (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 05:20 PM #8
butterfly11's Avatar
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
butterfly11 butterfly11 is offline
Member
butterfly11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: in front of my computer
Posts: 497
10 yr Member
Heart

Quote:
Originally Posted by ginnie View Post
I know it can be different to talk to people we don't know well. I do have something you can talk about. My son traveled the world in the Navy. He said South Africa is the most beautiful part of the world he had ever seen.
Look on the internet for places that are in that Country. You can look at the topography and see how lush that area of the world is. Ask too about the culture there, and what the Arts are like. Conversation will roll right along. ginnie
Thanks ginnie. She commented that the culture here is different, maybe I could ask her to elaborate. I wasn't sure what she meant. And asking her about the Arts is a good idea!
butterfly11 is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), ginnie (01-21-2013), waves (01-21-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 05:44 PM #9
waves's Avatar
waves waves is offline
Legendary
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,329
15 yr Member
waves waves is offline
Legendary
waves's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,329
15 yr Member
Heart my thoughts - from the being on the other side of those questions

Dear Butterfly,

As my former French Teacher would say "what you don't know 'bout, leave it out." he was referring to exams, but i found it works in life, at work, in general.

Some people do enjoy being asked about their comings and goings. Especially in this case if she is new to the US as I understand it? I however grew up kind of left and right and found questions about where i'd been tiresome... they always came from people i did not know well and with whom i did not wish to share. you could ask how she is doing after the move, focusing more on the here and now... has the settling in been smooth for her in the US? stay general... give her a chance to 1) share OR 2) give you a short vague answer and change subjects.

Personally, i'd much rather be asked more "superficial" and common things at first, and i do the same. have you seen <recent movie> ... did you like it? do you read much... enjoy music? gardening is one possibility, or the more general "how do you like to spend your leisure time?" i also like the other person to share if they are going to ask a particular question. so if asking specific questions, best to ask about things you are interested in. don't ask if she collects stamps if you could care less to have a conversation about stamps!

you and this woman have at least one really "easy" topic in common too... your kids... you can talk about how they were as babies, when they started to talk, were they fussy or quiet, etc... talk about your experiences as moms.... you probably had very different experiences with each of your kids.

also, nothing says you have to "lead" the conversation. you can let her lead. if she misses South Africa, she might start talking to you about it without being asked. that might be entertaining. if so, then you can ask questions in the context of what she tells.

it can also be nice to sip tea and relax in company, yet not maintain rigorous conversation. just sit quietly at times, perhaps with the odd comment. that depends on the company - some can do it, some can't. i rather like it.

------------------------------------

i chuckled at the Queen of England question, because i've been asked that before. i doubt you came off as duhhh. trust me from personal experience A LOT of folks are not aware of when (or sometimes WHETHER) former colonies, gained independence, unless they have lived there personally. I don't! so, i wouldn't worry about seeming DUHHH. And although I may not have liked to be interrogated on my comings and goings, I never thought anyone stupid for their curiosity, or even misconceptions. You personally strike me as a bright individual... i'm certain that comes through in person. Remember that even the most intelligent people don't know everything about everything! So lay your worries to rest, in that department.

Mostly try to relax and enjoy yourself. Go with the flow. ~~~



~ waves ~
waves is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
bizi (01-21-2013), butterfly11 (01-22-2013), ginnie (01-23-2013)
Old 01-21-2013, 07:51 PM #10
bizi's Avatar
bizi bizi is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: cajun country, lafayette Louisiana
Posts: 24,238
15 yr Member
bizi bizi is offline
Wisest Elder Ever
bizi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: cajun country, lafayette Louisiana
Posts: 24,238
15 yr Member
Heart

you can ask her open ended questions...I like what waves had to say.
So she can elaborate or not depending upon her desires.
I would not worry too much about this...sorry that you are though.
my mother in law said it is going to be below 0 tonight...happy for our warm temps to day. wonder what their winters are like?

bizi
__________________

.
Hattie the black and white one wrestling with hazel, calico. lost hattie to cancer.....
Happiness is a decision....

150mg of lamictal 2x a day
haldol 5mg 2x a day
1mg of cogentin 2x a day
klonipin , 1mg at night


I will not give up in this weight loss journey, nor this need to be AF. 3-19-13=156, 6-7-13=139, 8-19-13=149, 11-12-13=140, 6-28-14=157, 7-24-14=149, 9-24-14=144, 1-12-15=164, 2-28-15=149, 4-21-15=143, 6-26-15=138.5, 7-22-15=146, 8-24-15=151, 9-15-15=145, 11-1-15=137, 11-29-15=143, 1-4-16=152, 1-26-16=144, 2-24-16=150, 8-15-16=163, 1-4-17=169, 9-20-17=174, 11-17-17=185.6, 3-22-18=167.9, 8-31-18= 176.3, 3-6-19=190.8 5-30-20=176, 1-4-21=202, 10-4-21= 200.8,12-10-21=186, 3-26-22=180.3, 7-30-22=188, 10-15-22=180.9,
bizi is offline  
"Thanks for this!" says:
butterfly11 (01-22-2013), ginnie (01-23-2013), waves (01-21-2013)
 

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cape Town South Africa New2MS The Stumble Inn 11 02-23-2011 10:36 AM
New Member from South Africa Amina New Member Introductions 17 06-27-2008 07:44 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:21 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.