Why don't they just give me back my 25 pounds??

Because that's not how automated billing/accounting systems for public services work this day, you dunce. Are you living in the 21st Century? Did you actually expect a check from them for 25 pounds? Duuuuuummmmbbbb.

Maybe Dobby expected a little purse with 23 gold guinea coins, 16 shillings ane threepence.

Or a partridge in a pear tree!!!

Now I'm convinced, this is definitely a wind up.

Sorry Dobby, little advice apart from email them (contact will be on the website somewhere) and see if they can cough up. I'd use more normal, pleasant English to maximise my chances of sucess though.

amer-can- How exactly am I wasting my time? Cause I don't go to the huge tourist spots? :| Buzz off

stcirq- And people call me rude..


I need advice. What do I do if my neighbor thinks I'm stalking them? There is this woman that lives across from me and she thinks I'm stalking her or something. For the past couple of weeks I've been using my computer near my front door cause I get fast wifi that way, and now she thinks I hang out there cause of her. She even convinced her boyfriend that that was the case. :/ This is one of the people I asked to help me with my keys when I first moved here. Now it's awkward when I bump into her or her bf in the staircase :(

Unless you are not going out and experiencing the wonders of travel you are wasting your time and since you have yet to tell us anything near a "trip report" I felt safe in making this observation..How does one buzz off on a computer or for that matter any where??? Perhaps you are able to clarify this.

Your neighbor is probably right if she sees you parading around your apartment in the nude. You're lucky she hasn't called the police.

With your social skills I'm sure you have made quite an impression on the locals. ;-)

<i>For the past couple of weeks I've been using my computer near my front door cause I get fast wifi that way...</i>

Dobby, are you hacking into someone else's insecure wifi connection? :-(

How does she know you're hovering near the front door? Unless of course it's part-glazed. In which case, a neighbour who hovers near the front door, in the altogether, on a computer, when he's not arguing on the phone with various authorities and utilities (I'm guessing the walls aren't that soundproofed) - well, that might make some neighbours a bit anxious.

Dobby, I'm intrigued as to how you know that she convinced her boyfriend that you're stalking her - was there some sort of confrontation? a note through the door?

do you think that you might possibly just go out more rather than lurking by the front door with your computer? that would have the advantages that your neighbour would be less suspicious AND you'd see more of the UK before you go home. [which must be quite soon now]. that would be my advice.

and you still haven't answered my earlier question, which now seems more relevant, somehow - what have you done and seen in the months you've been in the UK, besides hand around in your flat?

Dobby, are you hanging with your computer inside your house/flat or outside. If outside that is plainly odd and may well worry people. If inside then I'd not worry.

Generally, if you think you are making people uncomfortable it is best to buy some biscuits (and cake. tea, milk and sugar with sufficent cups) and ask the couple over for "Tea" at 4 or 5 in the afternoon (if they work do it at the weekend). Tea is the social lubricant that resolves many issues. I'm not sure when you are moving on but you could say "would you like to pop over for tea so I can say thank you for helping me when I first got here".

nice idea bilbo, but somehow i doubt it's going to happen.

...and if they already suspect him of being another Norman Bates, they are unlikely to accept the invitation. ;-)

Patrick - The walls are thin, so she can hear me typing. One time I didn't even notice anyone was in the hallway because I was busy typing and I heard her giggling. Her boyfriend was with her and said ''come on'' in a nervous voice. I don't want people thinking I'm a creep or something :(

stcirq - I doubt she's seen me, and if she did she'd dump her bf hehehehe :3

bilbo - That wouldn't work. The boyfriend introduced himself and said hello to me once. I got so nervous that I quickly said hello back and ran up the stairs to my apartment. The girl was with him but she was hiding behind a wall. I can't tell if she's afraid of me or thinks I'm a joke. :/

I vote for door number two.

Dobby - i think that this is all going on inside your head.

you need to get out more. Seriously.

and you STILL haven't told us what you've been up to besides surfing the net.

Generally British people can be a bit shy and those rushed first contacts can be off putting (you only get one chance at a first impression). All I know is that whenever I find myself in these sort of situations I have to force myself to go and chat, smile and get to know people. Yes it is scary, but the benfits so out way the negatives. I'd give it a go, they might be your best friends that you have never met.

I suspect she is shy and you are a bit unsure, so.... making friends is about making the first step.

"<i>The walls are thin, so she can hear me typing.</i>"

Oh-- COME ON!?! They can hear you typing . . . on a computer keyboard? Just boggles . . . .

I heard my upstairs neighbor snoring a few nights ago >____> So yes the walls are thin. Plus I was in front of a door when typing so she hears me. I don't care if you believe me.