---snipped---
 (hee-hee)
---end snipped---

Above is the only portion of this last posting that is worth re-posting in a
reply.

I participate on a regular basis in the german VW Bus online forum, and my
german is NOT nearly as good as Fredrich's English.  I also receive the
occasional sacrastic "learn the language" type replies to my German
postings.

It does not make me feel very good to see these postings which mock me, and
does not give me the impression that I am being accepted into a community of
fellow VW Bus comrades (although I DO REALIZE that these folks just are
tossing around some light-hearted humor).

Ironically enough, while they all know that I am a native English speaker,
those making fun of my German, do so by writing their little "jokes" in
their own native German language. Hmmm.

The great thing is that there are many on the german list who will reply to
me via pmail, and give me detailed information, advice on where to buy
things, tell me how to make things, etc... and will do so in ENGLISH... yes,
at times, somewhat grammatically incorrect English... but they are being
really nice by taking the extra time and energy to write to me in a language
which is not their native one, putting themselves in a somewhat vulnerable
position in doing so.

I sincerely hope that the English Vanagon list maintains the diversity that
it has, and that the "humor" that some folks feel the need to post will not
be taken too personally.

Sorry for my little rant here... but I am just a bit sensitive to these
types of issues. If you are not interested in my posting, please just delete
it.

Merci,

RSF

IMPORTANT!!! In order to reply to me, you must have the word "FISH"
somewhere in the subject line of the email.  Otherwise it goes directly in
the trash.

<�)))>{   <�)))>{   <�)))>{   <�)))>{   <�)))>{   <�)))>{

Robert S. Fish
Salzburg, Austria
1987 Wolfsburg Vanagon 2.1 GL Weekender
1987 Golf Cabriolet
1991 Golf