A troll, I guarantee. What self-respecting American calls it a baseball <BR>**match**?? "was in to mind about going over" is not an English phrase. Those are the two glaring examples of non-native speaker. Plus, the syntax is all wrong for a native English speaker. I suspect FredaAnn is European (French, maybe) with a good grasp of the English language, but, honey, it ain't good enough to pass. <BR>Two snaps up, though, for a valiant effort.

Of course this is a troll job! No parks in Paris??? All the nasty comments about food??? Freda Ann is obviously a German student who is pulling our legs!

I am on the floor rolling in laughter!!

Ok, maybe it wasn't real but, I read through all of the messages because I'm going through the same thing right now in Denmark. I married a wonderful Danish man and moved here in May. I have a job (transfered with my company in New York which I know is lucky). But, I am so lonely sometimes and the language thing is hard. I take classes as much as I can and it absolutely helps. I try to get out to cultural events and there are social connections through my husband. However, I really really miss my family and friens from home. <BR> <BR>I don't care if the original post was fake. It really helped me to read everyone's replies and to realise that I'm not the only one going through this and it will get better. <BR> <BR>So, thanks so much to everyone who responded. <BR>

Well, Freda Ann may be a "troll," but this thread proves two things. First, there are many caring, sympathetic Fodorites out there that should be commended for taking her seriously. You can be homesick in the most beautiful and exciting place in the world. Second, there are a lot of cynical people out there, too.

I agree that the message is a troll. <BR>But, I think it describes an experience that many people without language skills encounter when staying for prolonged periods in a foreign country. <BR>If the original author thought that he or she had sufficient English - American skills to pass the message off as being authored by a native speaker, then he or she needs to reassess his or her linguistic knowlege. As others have pointed out, there are too many flaws and non-American constructions for the posting to have come from an American. <BR>I agree with the comment above that the author could well be German.

Let me firstly thank the majority of posters for their useful and comforting suggestions. There are some other issues I would wish to raise but in view of certain other responses I will continue by using e-mail. I don’t understand why those that have nothing to add or find my situation hard to understand – still insist on adding their worthless remarks.

A-ha! "Firstly"? A-Ha!

Firstly, cynicism is not such a bad thing especially in either a traveller or advise giver. Naivete is appealing but lets not over romanticize its value. <BR>Secondly, there never was any doubt, especially from this cynic, tha people who offer advice at this Forum are, for the most part, sincere, helpful people who one would love to have as neighbors. <BR>Rather, a troll takes avantage of you, &, yes, mocks you for being so earnest & thoughtful, when he or she posts something false. Without we cynics, you <BR>kind-hearted souls would have no raise your awareness that everyone isnt as nice as you are (must've made 10 spelling errors, sorry)! PS <BR>Isnt it interesting that Freda doesnt deny that she is a troll & keeps sending mail at hours that would be in the middle of the night in Europe. Maybe she is lonely because she sleeps all day?

OOPS - - not only cant I spell, I think I have my time zones reversed. Still think Freda is a troll though.

Yeah, ole Freda (how many thirty-something Americans do you know named Freda, by the way?)has had her cover blown here, which I think is funny, but I still think the thread had some valuable responses about cures for loneliness, so DANKE for posting it, Freda. And thanks for responding, all. <BR> <BR>Yeah, there were some obvious clues that she's no American..."tacy" burger places? "Suchlike"? "Too different to things back home"? Ach! Not exactly your typicaly American syntax. <BR> <BR>Guten tag! :)

Firstly, I'm not a native speaker either (I suppose you've guessed by now), so I was in no position to detect a troll. <BR> <BR>Secondly, I'm happy to report that I have info pointing to the fact that Freda Ann's post is no troll. <BR> <BR>Thirdly, I have an American girlfriend called Beate, so why not Freda Ann ?