On Thursday I came to the flat a little earlier to unpack and clean up. The owners wanted to do the hand over at 6pm that evening and check that everything in the flat is ok and so on. So I was busy in the kitchen, making lunch actually when the doorbell rang. I was confused, wondering who this could be. I don't know anyone here. Anyway I open the door and give Herr F, the owner, a bit of a fright! He is such a dear man. Well it turned out his wife sent him to put flowers and a card in our apartment and told him to do it before we arrive. Unfortunately I was there already! Isn't it just so sweet of them. I never expected something like this.
Here's some close ups of our flowers and card.
They have also insisted that we call them on their first names. We were very honoured as this doesn't happen often here and they are MUCH older than us. Like they could be our grandparents. We call their son on his first name and they use our first names which I like but I'm not so sure if I feel comfortable using their first names... I think I'll stick to Herr & Frau F for now.
The flowers are beautiful! We get gifts from our Hauswart regularly too, its a lovely touch.
ReplyDeleteYou would, unfortunately, be insulting Herr u. Frau F more if you don't address them less formally after they'd 'allowed' you to. It would be like you're turning down their offer of friendship. Perhaps mention to their son that they were kind enough to offer but you feel you0'd be more respectful of them being more fomal and perhaps he could mention something.
Hope you're enjoying settling in to your new place!!
What a sweet gesture! Hey, I didn't get anything from my landlord and family...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, SwissTwist. I will check with their son if he thinks it's really ok for us to use their first names. Wouldn't want to insult them!
ReplyDeleteJuanita, sorry to hear you didn't get anything from your landlord! :-(
I tried pasting a flower for you here, but it won't work.. just keeps putting the link to the picture!
Yep we're settling in really well. I just got a call from Ikea to say they'll be delivering our couch on Friday. Yay! About 2 weeks earlier than they originally said they would. So our lounge will start looking more like a lounge soon! Also expecting our boxes that we shipped over from South Africa to arrive by next week.
Dit is besonders nice! BAIE anders as Landlords in Suid Afrika. HIer is jy gelukkig as 'n plek skoon is as jy daar intrek.
ReplyDeleteJa, hier moet die plek soos nuut lyk wanneer jy uittrek. Hulle kan selfs 'n skoonmaak company inkry op jou onkonstes (BAIE duur natuurlik!) om die plek skoon te laat maak. En enige iets wat nie soos nuut is nie word van jou deposito afgetrek om te laat nuut maak vir die volgende huurders. Ek het die kaste uitgevee voor ek goed ingepak het in die kombuis en badkamer en die wit lappie was nie eens vuil toe ek klaar was. Nie eens 'n stoffie in 'n hoekie gewees nie!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really VERY kind of Herr F. I have never heard of that happening before!
ReplyDeleteHappy unpacking and settling in to your new place!
We also heard yesterday that they have a BBQ at their house every summer when they invite the 3 families living here, renting from them. They say because we are like a big family! :-)
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