Today I’m giving a training for some guys from Belgium. For sure we speak English as our common language we can talk with, but for all of us it is our second language. It is nice and funny atmosphere in which we are dealing with each other by all participants are being aware about some little language "issues" can occur.

In fact we have a lot of fun with each other mixing up and through three different languages at the same time and luckily ending up always with some explanation everyone is able to get and understand.

But back to the question … How good is your spoken English? Asked about today, I would answer honestly that it is as good as the English of my communication partner I talk with.

Really! And it is not the first time I’m recognising it. Give me some native English speaking person to talk with and all the conversation does run quick and easy for me. I know all the words and the more I talk, the more easier it turns out for me and often people do tell me that they are impressed. (Glad they do, as for I personally still doubt about)

Since a while I’m aware and even can hear about English is not always English. There seems to be a million different dialects and ways to speak exactly the same word and at least for me it often depends on where my opposite is originating from. People coming from the UK preferable for sure! I like and understand their English best. But also Canadians and Aussies do not really cause me trouble. Americans are fine too - at least as long there not coming from southeast USA or are descending by Asian ancestors.

So once again back to the question. The real true answer might be … It depends! … at least for me.

Must be now nearly 9 years since I was in the USA for longer. And now being over again I recognize that there is some mentality border for sure. People are different here for sure.

Sure they are friendly and exceptional helpful in any situation. Bit never the less I can feel it … they are different.

The last few years I’ve traveled Canada, New Zealand and Australia and wherever it was, I have felt closer to the people there.

I really can’t specify it better than, the people there are more European alike. Strange but true … perhaps the reason why I archive to make really close friends in those countries I mentioned last, but never archived to come closer with some US folks so far.

Now this is tempting ….

Yesterday I did catch up with my brother on Yahoo. He is actually over in the USA and like me a great fan of all that shiny new things offered in electronic stores! So it was no wonder he was strolling into a lot of shops comparing rate and based on our Euro is actually very strong it is no wonder buying things there seems to be very lucrative at the moment.

Now generous he is, he offered me to do a bit of shopping for me as well!

How tempting! Can I resist? Hardly I guess … at least we have already started to speak about specific models he will now look into and check out for me.

This week I’m mainly working on a project including the overtaking of serveral database out of the USA to Europe. Some kind of industrial outsourcing - You know?

I’m aware that working with Americans often turns out interesting and for sure never will get boring!

Sometimes everything is easy. And together you have a lot of fun joking besides work and for example having few chats with a more “private character ” besides. It just depends on whether or not you have the luck getting together with some more open minded individual or not.

Now in this actual case for my feelings it is very mixed … I’m the one “taking” away their stuff and sometimes I have the feeling that they by sudden now all are suffering on that disease of no longer being able to recall ….

So far not one of the database moves did work out without a little surprise (for me!).

Most of them are deriving from Asian or Indian ancestors and someone could assume that it is all about a language barrier, but I personally doubt about that as the reason. I guess it is all about personal restrictions and fear about possibly loosing their job later on!

Sorry guys, it is not me in person! I’m just the one doing the job for others!
And I really hope that some day we will catch up again under better circumstances.

I had an overall busy day today rushing into several meetings with late time preparations in between. Right like someone does like it! Right?

But the good news is that in between, I was able to solve a few things today. And finally … surprise surprise … Google did answer my request sending me details for a new Google AdSense Account! Not sure what was wrong with the old one, but now it is working again. Yeah!

And last but not least, the very best thingy of today - When coming home, I found the confirmation for the flight reservations, I had made the other day with British Airways, for my later trip into the USA this year. Thats Tops!!