The best thiefs in the world....

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:33 pm

Only experience we had of 'thieving' there ..and partly our own fault...left window slightly open...he /they ..left our 'small change' and papers etc...just stole a 'Tape measure' !!!
The mind boggles

P. S. I like the 'drunken fool ' image Peter...youve given me a laugh this cold wintry morning ..TA !

PeterJ · Post by **PeterJ** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:37 pm

Cold??? clear blue skies temp about 17c lovely he! he!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:44 pm

I was just going to log off..when I saw your post Peter......you rotten

you.....blimey..Im looking out the window this minute..and its really coming down!!...huge great flakes of snow ..the cars disappeared underneath it.......

Should I have made that crack about buying a 'sledge & huskies' !!!
Maybe not

S O S ....M'aidez

Bet you're laughing your socks off --yeah?

P.S. just realised..I had logged off!

......Ellie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:10 pm

We're on the other side of Pennines Ellie. Yesterday glorious sunshine, windows open and a fly flew in and the talk is everyone wondering where this Arctic weather is?

Today 4 degrees but windy and rainy now.

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:41 pm

Weather here has been fantistic ,all year if we known that this was what global warming was like we,ed have gotten rid of that bloody ozone layer years ago

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:52 pm

Brilliant sunshine but freezing here - great walking weather (not for me of course, I mean why would I have car but for people who do the walking sort of thing

). The sort of crisp, sunny winter's day that I like - sets the colours of nature off beautifully and makes for a gorgeous sunset.

Maddi

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:53 pm

I value your opinions Gambrinus, but maybe you have misunderstood some of mine.

My point about tourism being there mian form of income was a general statement, i.e the tourism sector provides a large chunk of Portugals economy, and yes it is the state who share it out, but none the less the countrys income is largely provided by the holiday makers.

I dont think it is right to compare GNR wages to the expenditure of countries like the UK. There wages should be compared in terms to other wages in Portugal, the minumum wage being E406 per month (compared to E1,124 of the UK) the lowest in Europe. Portugal unfortunatly is a Semi-perifory country, unlike the core countries of the UK, meaning it is impossible to compare UK expenditure to Portugese incomes.

Finally, my complaints of the GNR were not of their lack of deploying search teams across the country to find our missing valubles- but more towards their general attitude and unhelpful nature. We kept things in perspective- nothing major was lost and we were all in good health having a nice holiday, but for others who maybe might lose more than we did, it could be very distressing especially when in a foreign country. Attitudes they presented to us in a situation like that would be simply unacceptable-no matter how much they were being paid-which at E600 per month (?) is definatly enough for the service they provide and their working enviroment.

Matt

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:56 pm

I value your opinions Gambrinus, but maybe you have misunderstood some of mine.

My point about tourism being there mian form of income was a general statement, i.e the tourism sector provides a large chunk of Portugals economy, and yes it is the state who share it out, but none the less the countrys income is largely provided by the holiday makers.

I dont think it is right to compare GNR wages to the expenditure of countries like the UK. There wages should be compared in terms to other wages in Portugal, the minumum wage being E406 per month (compared to E1,124 of the UK) the lowest in Europe. Portugal unfortunatly is a Semi-perifory country, unlike the core countries of the UK, meaning it is impossible to compare UK expenditure to Portugese incomes.

Finally, my complaints of the GNR were not of their lack of deploying search teams across the country to find our missing valubles- but more towards their general attitude and unhelpful nature. We kept things in perspective- nothing major was lost and we were all in good health having a nice holiday, but for others who maybe might lose more than we did, it could be very distressing especially when in a foreign country. Attitudes they presented to us in a situation like that would be simply unacceptable-no matter how much they were being paid-which at E600 per month (?) is definatly enough for the service they provide and their working enviroment.

Matt

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 5:17 pm

Matt,

I was unaware of the minimum wage in UK (or most other european countries for that matter). The point I was trying to bring across (without spewing out senseless drivel as I am prone to sometimes), is that the GNR staff are working for people (houseowners and their guests/clients) who spend as much on their gardens in Carvoeiro as they earn in a month. They cannot afford most commercial establishments in Carvoeiro either.
Add to that, that most burglars, if they catch them, are out in a heartbeat or are too young to detain in the first place and it becomes clear how frustrating that job can get.

I dont disagree with you though - They have a job to do, and they could sometimes show a bit more interest and understanding.

The attitude towards foreigners is a problem, not only with the authorities, but also when it comes to dealing with the local council.
One example is the reaction of the town hall when we requested that they re-surface some roads around Carvoeiro Clube and Clube Atlantico - "you people (foreigners) have enough money to buy those houses, you should have enough money to pave the road infront of them."

Me thinks some of those folks have to work on their people skills before they are let loose on the public.

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 5:31 pm

Couldnt agree more Gambrinus. I have often noted on occasion attitudes towards foreigners ( although most are normally great). If you ask me, it all comes from economy as you point out, e.g the majority of nationals dont have the luxuries that ex-pats and tourists enjoy in their home country-their frustration is understandable when looked at from their point of view-but unfortunatly that is, at the moment, how the world is, the rich dominating the poor. Maybe one day it will all be different, the current world system, in my opinion, needs to be changed-at the end of the day there is enough resources in the world to go around equally!

Damn this is getting pretty deep! World sociology in the forums-its good to see!

Matt

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:09 pm

And there is a great place for you to have this deep, sociology discussion, as much as I am enjoying here on cvo.com, if looking to put the world to rights try here . . .

http://www.sociopranos.com/forums/category-view.asp

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:18 pm

maddi, just clicked onto that url and read someones profile,now thats one mean website

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:18 pm

Mads dear ?
good one--I think--which one d'you think would suit me best

Or isnt there anything there..to cater to my needs

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:41 pm

Whose profile did you read, Gerry? Love to see it as you did!

Ellie, I will find a forum especially for your needs - I have several that I am testing for you!!!!!

biffa · Post by **biffa** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:01 pm

Re that bloke who stole Ellies tape measure - Lagoa Police told me that they have got the measure of him now and are within an inch or two of getting him.

Also a girl in the Alentejo recently had her virginity taken and can't give any description of who did it.

Watch this space for more CrimeWatch news.

The best thiefs in the world....

Thief