You know it's time to move away

[Diflower]

I don't understand it.
There are places like Albufeira, which I've never visited, but I understand to be the archetypal tourist place - but apparently still has proper Portuguese areas - so why don't they just go there?!
And Carvoeiro, still no doubt beautiful but even 30 years ago was getting way too touristy for me.

In Spain, here, you hear of Torremolinos and most people would think 'Blackpool with sun' but actually, it's not like that - unless you want it to be, in which case you can seek out those bars, etc.

As with everywhere, there will always be those Brits that behave like the worst example of brits, but there are also plenty that are not at all like that - but much less noticeable.

[Ally]

We've noticed it over the last 4 years, more and more tourists. No worries, but please, be polite, do not expect everyone to speak English, no matter how loud you speak, or a drinks menu.

Drinks menu??

And if told that you only have white or red wine, do not question, three times, what, no rose??

Do not expect everyone to speak English! That in itself is pathetic! Why would one expect everyone to speak English?! One is in a foreign country FGS!

No wonder you think it's time to move away.

[tonicha]

Do not expect everyone to speak English! That in itself is pathetic! Why would one expect everyone to speak English?! One is in a foreign country FGS!

They were querying why, to themselves, no-one could understand their English

I just wanted to sink down in my chair.

We left not long afterwards and spoke Portuguese, as you do, to the young lad. Who answered in his best Portuguese, with a lovely smile.

[Kaz]

Embarrassing, isn't it? I always try to speak a little of the language, even if just a few phrases, and squirm when people seem to think that if they speak English really slowly and loudly that somehow they will be understood

[meriad]

when people seem to think that if they speak English really slowly and loudly that somehow they will be understood

That always make me laugh. As you say rather embarrassing though

I'm the same as you Kaz; I will always try and learn at least a few phrases of the local language. Please, thank you,hello and how are you is the minimum and then whatever I can try and pick up along the way is bonus. I hate touristy places and have never understood why someone would want to go somewhere and then ask for bangers and mash or fish and chips or full english breakfast; may as well stay at home really.

[tonicha]

When I couldn't sleep - in the early hours, as is normal - I counted the many bars, cafes and restaurants we have in our village.

About 50, altogether.

And not one of them has sky sports

All of them, without exception, have the tele on, but normally only have the Portuguese sports channels, so that means footie or men in lycra and the soaps in the afternoons (now if you want dire television watching..... )

[Diflower]

It's not so hard, is it?
You don't need to manage much for people to respond with smiles

I've never got the 'England abroad' scenario either, but if that's what people want - and they do - well, that's fine, it does bring money into the various countries after all. But they should also realise they can only have that if they stay in their nicely English (ok British) resorts/complexes, and if they venture out they really are in a foreign country
There are people by the thousand who go abroad, stay in their hotel and never set foot outside of the grounds, they couldn't show you where they've been on a map. All they want is a week/fortnight of sun and doing nothing but sunbathe, eat (English food) and drink.
My idea of hell, but each to their own

[tonicha]

All they want is a week/fortnight of sun and doing nothing but sunbathe, eat (English food) and drink.
My idea of hell, but each to their own

And mine Di, and mine