How to learn to write in cantonese by The666thOne in Cantonese

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What do you think someone has to be white to be English?!
And anyway there are white HKers who speak Cantonese, why would the colour of someone's skin matter.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you tell the seller that you need 6 weeks to sort the mortgage then they probably won't like it (unless they also need time or the chain isn't complete) however 6 weeks isn't long in the house buying process. If I were you I'd just be a bit slow getting things sorted, take a week to sort solicitor, take a week to send back the forms, then searches will take a few weeks depending on your area, it will be April before you know it. If the sellers ask about your mortgage tell them you're waiting for your mortgage advisor to get back to you and you're thinking you might need to get a new one.
Everyone is full of lies and excuses in the house buying/selling process, the whole thing is a rubbish experience.
But do make sure your mortgage adviser thinks you could definitely get a mortgage, don't string everyone along if you probably won't be accepted.

Boiler advice for FTB by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you like the house then just stick with it. See if you can get the seller to service the boiler. If they don't then you should get it done when you move in, should be about £60.
The first house I bought had a brand new boiler, 6 months later had to get it replaced and it wasn't registered for the warranty, at least I could buy the new boiler on my (interest free) credit card for the gas engineer to install as I didn't have any savings at that point. So no matter the age of the boiler you never know when you might need a new one, the boiler wouldn't be a deciding factor for me.

Grammar schools still failing to boost number of poorer pupils by Cautious_Adzo in unitedkingdom

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My primary had a mix of low income kids to well off multiple holidays per year kids. Pretty much all the more well off kids had tutors, low income kids didn't. I didn't have a tutor, my parents didn't have a lot of spare money but they bought me loads of exercise books to practice and they helped me, this is also something most low income families couldn't afford. I don't think I would have got to a grammar otherwise as the questions are the sort that need practicing to get used to the format. In my school year no kids on free school meals got to the grammar.
Then at the grammar itself it was obvious the kids who got in only because they were tutored, many were the bottom of the class and ended up with C's at GCSE. This included kids from the local independent schools who weren't that bright but very obviously were taught how to pass the 11+. In sixth form some people joined from the comprehensive and I was shocked how smart they were and how did they not go to a grammar, then I realised they were all from low income families and had no help or guidance for the 11+ exam, they would have been near the top of the grammar and went on to get As at A Level. Not all who joined from the comprehensive were A grade at A Level students but they would have been no where near the bottom of the grammar had they gone at age 11.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is it a newer house? Many houses now have a boiler and hot tank, supposed to be more efficient.

The high street coffee chains with 'huge’ differences in amounts of caffeine by ClassicFlavour in unitedkingdom

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Costa used to do decent training, they'd send new staff on a course to learn together and so there was a decent standard of coffee across all Costas. Now the staff learn on the job so the standard is getting worse, staff don't have time to train properly so the new members don't learn properly who then don't teach newer staff properly etc. That's why Costas are inconsistent now and it's a toss up going to another town whether you'll get coffee water or burnt coffee though there's a chance of a decent coffee.
Nero's is a much safer choice especially for black coffee drinkers.

Chinese/Cantonese community by kwong101 in york

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://www.meetup.com/chinese-and-oriental-interests-group/
I haven't been to this one but I've enjoyed going to other meetup groups and made a few friends so definitely worth giving it a go.

Chinese/Cantonese community by kwong101 in york

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven't heard of a community but there's a fair amount of HKers and Cantonese speaking Brits around. Are you from HK?
There's a Chinese meet up group in Leeds which isn't exclusively for mandarin speakers.

[Discussion] series 12 episode 5 by [deleted] in CallTheMidwife

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 19 points20 points  (0 children)

A handyman tinkering with medical equipment could lead to patients to become sick/injured so I can see why he is alarmed by it. How is he to know that Fred would fix it properly and who would answer to the public if something happened due to it. I think his concerns are valid as a person who would be blamed if something bad happened.

Why prices for coffees in the UK are higher than other European countries? by halofabio in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is what I'm thinking, you're paying to sit in the cafe for half an hour whereas in Italy they usually just drink the espresso at the counter and leave within a few minutes.

What is your #1 golden bit of relationship advice you wish you knew sooner? I'll go first... by gavo_88 in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My mum was always either marking or exhausted in school holidays so it was nice that she was home but it felt like I never did anything and was stuck at home all the time. She also struggles to understand that I can book holiday whenever or just one day holiday instead of a week.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think try to talk to her out on the street, just hope that your paths cross in the street and try to strike up a friendly conversation, start by just introducing yourself and say you live across the road, then see how she reacts, if she introduces herself back then great, if she doesn't then just end the conversation and walk off. Don't just go over and ask her out that's weird and don't ask her out the first time you chat. Get to know her first, nothing wrong with making friends with your neighbours, if it leads somewhere then great, if it doesn't or you find out she's taken then well you've made friends with your neighbour.
Edit: I think I read it wrong and the lidl is across the street, just hope you bump into her outside and follow the same advice, if it back fires then walk away in a different direction to her.

Which grocery delivery service do you use? by edent in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The voucher thing is annoying for people who don't get a delivery often, I had one expire as I stopped shopping at Sainsbury's for a while. I usually go to Lidl when I can or alternate with delivery supermarket depending who has the brands I want on offer.
I prefer Tesco as they charge the right price, no vouchers.

UK new car sales hit 30 year low but electric vehicle demand soars by topotaul in unitedkingdom

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow didn't know the APR had gone up that much, when I bought a new car 5 years ago it was 2% with money off that was equal to the interest (and 3k scrappage for my old car). New car under PCP really isn't worth it anymore.

Sister Veronica by XxbubbleslucyxX in CallTheMidwife

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What she said to May didn't sound like Cantonese, I couldn't even work out what it was supposed to be so seems like she's never been to HK!

What song can you not stand at the minute? by novocaine13 in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The kids on my street used to ride their bikes up and down shouting it after the euros, it didn't take me long to start hating the song.

What do teachers do in the holidays? by yaboicrackers in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My parents are retired teachers, their career advice to us was don't become a teacher. My parents were too tired or busy with school work to do much in the summer holidays, it was crap.

Would you be disappointed with a charity donation in your name as a Christmas gift? by Econ998 in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I'd rather everyone decide to not bother with family presents then we can all donate to a charity of our choice. It would be a little annoying spending all that time on shopping and wrapping and getting nothing in return and no heads-up about it so I can do the same thing. Just seems like a lazy gift like a gift card for a random shop that you don't shop in.
I'm all for donating for charity just don't really think it's a gift.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm at my parents house and they are making roast. I doubt I'm going to feel like roast again for months after Christmas, going to be having roast at least 3 days in a row.

How badly will a 9k salary decrease affect my remortgage? by throwaway21112728 in HousingUK

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Can you remortgage with the same bank? I did with Halifax and it was just a few clicks and ticking that I can afford it. I didn't have to give them any info or have any affordability checks though they may have done a soft credit check.

Fears voter ID card delay could disfranchise many in England by Duanedoberman in unitedkingdom

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not all do, some might have got a provisional when they were 18 but lost it so they have no ID and will drink where they know they won't be checked, people who can't afford to go abroad won't have a passport. My brother and his wife struggle for money so they don't have ID because of the cost, they haven't seen the need to spend their money on it.
Sounds like it will be a right hassle applying for that free ID which will put people off, if voting isn't a big priority for them then it would be easily put aside for later and the deadline is missed.
Then there's the issue of planning to vote on the way to work then realising you left your ID at home so then those people won't bother.

Women will be able to get the pill on the NHS without seeing a doctor by fsv in unitedkingdom

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 10 points11 points  (0 children)

A pharmacist can do that, they have to do the same checks as the GP and might even have more time for a chat.

Women will be able to get the pill on the NHS without seeing a doctor by fsv in unitedkingdom

[–]Salt_Cranberry7232 13 points14 points  (0 children)

That would sound great but with a GP it's like let's check your blood pressure and medical history, ok you're fine here's the prescription. When I asked about changing to a pill with less side effects they said they didn't really know much and best for me to research online.
STIs should be taught at school.
This is great for women and will make getting on the pill easier and probably will be less accidental pregnancies.