Yes,

I finally bit the bullet and started to learn Italian.

(Have only been here ten years – but needs must, so I am learning the lingo)

In my journey towards fluency I am coming up against lots of obstacles - one being the obvious – lack of words.

(Without a vocabulary you can learn every grammar rule in the book, but won’t be able to form a valid sentence)

With that in mind I have started creating a few “mind maps” of common concepts and the associated words.

(Family, the home, jobs etc etc etc)

I have posted the ones I have done so far and will continue to post others as I create them.

(I find the visual format of remembering words easier than just lists – so I like the mind maps)

Feel free to have a look at them and even download them if you wish.

If you spot an error – feel free to let me know and I will correct both it and me ( I use those word lists )

You can find the maps in a new menu Item here – English/Italian, or just click on the link and you’ll go there.

Onwards and upwards.

Why do people feel the need to pretend that they are your friend when all they really want is the assistance you can offer ?

Is it a guilt thing ? I’m getting this help and I am giving nothing back – I know I’ll pretend to be their friend.

Is it a social thing – I spend time talking to them when we are discussing the assistance thing – I suppose I should act like a friend.

or whatever – I don’t get it.

If I help someone I ask for no commitment – I don’t want an invite for Christmas dinner, or to their latest social gathering.

All I require is a “Thank you” and possibly a little consideration that I also have a life and am not there to help 24 hours a day.

The reason I do this is the complications at the end of the assistance.

How does the other person back out ?

How do they say  “err – thanks for the help – you’re not my friend any more (until I need some more help)”

That would be the truthful sentence – unfortunately I have never heard it.

Usually it is “sorry – I’m busy”

“Sorry – I have other commitments”

etc

etc

Until you realize that the friendship was just a pretence for getting help.

Why can’t people just say “Err, can you help ?”

The answer from me would usually be “yeh – what’s the problem” ?”

I don’t expect people to be friends with me just because I assisted them – assisting other people is part of civility – the essence of humanity.

It’s not a key to life long pals – that is something totally different.

So STOP IT would yer

You want help – if I have the time and knowledge I’ll give it, freely.

Don’t go down the phony friend route – it hurts me more than you, I can assure you.

Because I look at the person and read the above in my head – wondering…..

Occasionally I get caught out and think there is real friendship there – then it really hurts when people walk off.

Learn to be honest – to be human – it would make this rock a better place to live on.