Remember those letters that began with “Dear Sirs”? (You might not, but I certainly do!)

Well, last week I got a blast from the past! ⏰

An email reply landed in my inbox with the German text starting “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and the English text starting “Dear Sirs.”

Believe it or not, in an email!

We’ve made progress, but some things stick around.

Here’s a challenge for you change-makers!

Can we make our words more welcoming to everyone? Can we ditch the old examples and try something new?

Quick check! Are your messages inclusive?

Do they reflect your values and the world you want to be part of?

Let’s be the change we want to see in the world!

We can start with our words. 😊🌍

Because its sound perfectly captures the feeling it describes.

Are you fascinatingly… unbelievably… incredibly… flabberghasted?

This word has a certain magic to it, don’t you think?

An element of surprise, wrapped in wonder, sprinkled with a dash of disbelief.

F – Fantastic
L – Ludicrous
A – Astonishing
B – Breathtaking
B – Bewildering
E – Extraordinary
R – Remarkable
G – Gripping
H – Hypnotic
A – Astounding
S – Surprising
T – Thrilling
E – Electrifying
D – Dazzling

Flabberghasted. A word that embodies the essence of wonder and surprise. A word that paints a vivid picture of astonishment and amazement.

Listen here: Flabberghasted

Isn’t language simply astonishing?

Christine hat mich heute auf so einen typisch deutschen Fehler hingewiesen, den ich ständig mache!  

Im Englischen verwendet man ja das ‘Simple Past’ für abgeschlossene Handlungen in der Vergangenheit.  

Wir Deutschen dagegen rutschen da total oft ins ‘Present Perfect’ ab, selbst wenn die Aktion komplett abgeschlossen ist.

Christine hat als Beispiel gesagt, man würde nicht sagen: “I have broken my arm a year ago” (Ich habe mir den Arm vor einem Jahr gebrochen), sondern einfach nur: “I broke my arm a year ago.”

Gut. Ich habe es verstanden. Ich weiß es. Trotzdem erwische ich mich ständig dabei, wie ich solche Sätze falsch baue.  

Zum Beispiel habe ich neulich zu einer Klientin gesagt: “Sorry, I have forgotten to phone you last week” (Es tut mir leid, dass ich vergessen habe, dich letzte Woche anzurufen), anstatt einfach nur “Sorry, I forgot to phone you last week.”

Jetzt wo Christine mir den Unterschied so klar erklärt hat, werde ich auf jeden Fall bewusster darauf achten.  

Vielleicht sollte ich mir sogar ein paar Notizzettel mit ‘Simple Past’ drauf an den Schreibtisch kleben!

Das mache ich direkt. 

Greta

P.S.: Franz hat heute nach unserem gemeinsamen Training mit Christine Witze auf Englisch erzählt.  Also da verstehe ich mittlerweile immer mehr! 🙂

Do you ever catch yourself saying “hoover” when you actually mean to vacuum-clean? 🤔

Or reaching for ‘Domestos‘ instead of plain bleach?

It happens more than we realise!

Brands sneak into our everyday language, becoming part of our vocabulary.

You need a plaster? Do you ask for a Band-Aid?

Thirsty for a fizzy drink? You might merely ask for a Coke.

It’s interesting how brand names take over the actual product names without us noticing, isn’t it?

They’re everywhere!

So, while you’re ‘hoovering’ or grabbing ‘Domestos’, take a sec to think about the sneaky power of branding!

What other brand names have become part of your daily talk? 😄

Do your emails sound more like history books than modern-day messages?

Phrases like “I should be very grateful” and “as per our regulations” might’ve sounded cool… in the past.

But your emails deserve a 21st-century makeover!  

Let’s toss out those dusty phrases you learned in school and use a little more up-to-date language.

Let’s see how! 

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Let me know if you need more details. I’d love to help.

Ah, sometimes I really miss British food!

It’s been a while since I visited (it’s been too long!), and I can’t help but think about those special British treats.

On the top of my list:

Chips with Daddies Sauce: Do you know how delicious those chips taste with the sweet and spicy Daddies sauce? It brings back memories of how good and comforting each bite was.

Warm Crumpets: Just thinking about biting into a warm, buttery crumpet, feeling it crumble and melt in my mouth, takes me back to some of the best afternoons.

Scones with Clotted Cream: Those yummy crumbly pastries with strawberry jam and thick, delicious clotted cream. The perfect accompaniment to a cup of hot tea (with milk). A real treat for your taste buds!

Rowntrees Fruit Gums: Those irresistibly chewy and fruity gums in 5 different flavours. Even if they weren’t the best for my teeth!

Well, now that my passport’s been renewed, I can finally enjoy these delicious tastes again!

So, what are your favourite British foods?️