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Off topic: Christmas crunch? Thread poster: Tina Colquhoun
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Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a tightening of belts on the Christmas front?
I seem to remember physical Christmas cards from clients plonking through the door in previous years, Christmas puddings, even 'real' presents. Now everyone just seems to be sending out round-robins by e-mail.
Or perhaps they are just too busy firing staff...
Bob Cratchit
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Angela Dickson (X) 
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:25
French to English
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I've had a few cards (physical ones) from regular clients, as in previous years, but no presents - I did get a couple of wedding presents earlier in the year, so maybe they don't want to spend any more on me this year
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| Christmas email, but no offer! | Dec 16, 2008 |
I am receiving Christmas wishes by mail from agencies that never gave me work!!! I would rather have nice projects offered to me than being on a stupid wishes list!!!!
[Modifié le 2008-12-16 17:35 GMT]
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liz askew
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:25
Member (2007)
French to English
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| I am receiving the same Christmas cards as usual | Dec 16, 2008 |
No change here....
Never received presents from ANY employer I have ever worked for!
Sad isn't it??
I shall survive
Liz
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| Things as usual | Dec 16, 2008 |
We are usually the ones who love to share some Spanish Christmas goodies around. But this year we are quite happy as we already have three boxes of fine chocolates from customers and friends. Lovely!
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| Funny you should mention this ... | Dec 16, 2008 |
I returned home from the notary this afternoon, rather irritated after what was a rather long-drawn-out affair, as most bureaucratic things tend to be here in Portugal, to find a present on my doorstep - yes, that's right, in my small town the postman just leaves it on your doorstep if you're out!
Anyhow, I eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper to find a lovely crate of quality wine, cheese and crackers from one of the agencies I do a lot of work for in the Netherlands.
... See more I returned home from the notary this afternoon, rather irritated after what was a rather long-drawn-out affair, as most bureaucratic things tend to be here in Portugal, to find a present on my doorstep - yes, that's right, in my small town the postman just leaves it on your doorstep if you're out!
Anyhow, I eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper to find a lovely crate of quality wine, cheese and crackers from one of the agencies I do a lot of work for in the Netherlands.
This same agency pays excellent rates, never haggles about CAT discounts and the like, and if I submit an invoice at the end of the month, it's paid by the 5th of the following month. Like clockwork.
On top of that, the staff are full of fun in their emails and over the phone, quick to respond to emails and great when it comes to providing reference material, glossaries and general support.
I thought it was a lovely gesture - one I was very used to in practice as a lawyer, but haven't experienced much of since taking up full-time translation - and just wanted to share a good-news story for a change, particularly after all the doom and gloom that's been going around the forums lately.
Now, where's that corkscrew ...?
[Edited at 2008-12-16 21:56 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 20:25
Member (2002)
French to English
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MODERATOR | No presents so far... | Dec 17, 2008 |
...but lots of cards.
Gotta get busy myself! Last year I simply did not have time. This year, again, not really...
Best wishes to all for a fruitful 2009!
Nancy
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Silvia Barra (X)
Italy
Local time: 02:25
English to Italian
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| The same for me | Dec 17, 2008 |
Josée Desbiens wrote:
I am receiving Christmas wishes by mail from agencies that never gave me work!!! I would rather have nice projects offered to me than being on a stupid wishes list!!!!
[Modifié le 2008-12-16 17:35 GMT]
It's the same for me. Many cards, even from agencies that never gave me a cent of work, but no work
Best wishes
Silvia
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| Do they need more translators? | Dec 17, 2008 |
Lawyer-Linguist wrote:
Anyhow, I eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper to find a lovely crate of quality wine, cheese and crackers from one of the agencies I do a lot of work for in the Netherlands.
This same agency pays excellent rates, never haggles about CAT discounts and the like, and if I submit an invoice at the end of the month, it's paid by the 5th of the following month. Like clockwork.
On top of that, the staff are full of fun in their emails and over the phone, quick to respond to emails and great when it comes to providing reference material, glossaries and general support.
[Edited at 2008-12-16 21:56 GMT]
Could you give them my contact details, just in case they need a EN-NL translator?
I've received some cards, but no presents (yet).
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Speranza
Local time: 02:25
Spanish to Russian
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| Some of my clients | Dec 17, 2008 |
are sending cards by email explaining they will donate the money saved on physical postcards to charities. That is what they did in previous years, too.
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Lawyer-Linguist wrote:
I returned home from the notary this afternoon, rather irritated after what was a rather long-drawn-out affair, as most bureaucratic things tend to be here in Portugal, to find a present on my doorstep - yes, that's right, in my small town the postman just leaves it on your doorstep if you're out!
Anyhow, I eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper to find a lovely crate of quality wine, cheese and crackers from one of the agencies I do a lot of work for in the Netherlands.
This same agency pays excellent rates, never haggles about CAT discounts and the like, and if I submit an invoice at the end of the month, it's paid by the 5th of the following month. Like clockwork.
On top of that, the staff are full of fun in their emails and over the phone, quick to respond to emails and great when it comes to providing reference material, glossaries and general support.
I thought it was a lovely gesture - one I was very used to in practice as a lawyer, but haven't experienced much of since taking up full-time translation - and just wanted to share a good-news story for a change, particularly after all the doom and gloom that's been going around the forums lately.
Now, where's that corkscrew ...?
[Edited at 2008-12-16 21:56 GMT]
I've also never received a present from a client in my life, save a pack of sparklers a few years ago. Maybe it's not such a good idea to send stuff like that through the post anymore though.
Even if someone did send me something I'd probably never receive it thanks to the Canarian postal service. Have had plenty of e-cards though.
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| do you send cards? | Dec 17, 2008 |
although I was complaining about not receiving anything, does anyone here actually send cards or presents to their clients (eg. agencies). Can't say I have ever done so.
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Justine Fischbach wrote:
although I was complaining about not receiving anything, does anyone here actually send cards or presents to their clients (eg. agencies). Can't say I have ever done so.
Yes, I do. I usually send cards to all clients that have sent me work in that year, even though if it was just one tiny job. Perhaps when they receive the card, they remember my name and that tiny job I did for them and will send me more work if anything in my pair and field comes up. Even if it has no effect, I still think it's nice to add a personal touch to a business relation.
I thought about sending chocolates to one of my best clients in 2007. However, that client is from Belgium and Belgian chocolate is waaaaaay better than Dutch chocolate, so it didn't make much sense and I only sent them a nice card.
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Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 20:25
Member (2002)
Spanish to English
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| Christmas cards | Dec 17, 2008 |
I send out cards every year (along with my business card).
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Mervyn Henderson (X)
Spain
Local time: 02:25
Spanish to English
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Like Debs, I was pleasantly surprised to find a huge hamper waiting for me on the steps the other day. It had Joselito ham, champers, red plonk, white plonk, rosé plonk, tins of foie, asparagus, turrón, the works. And a big thank-you note from my bestest bestest customer. "Thanks for everything", they gurgled. "It's a mystery to us how we get through life without you."
... How I chuckled as I eagerly informed my long-suffering other half. She rolled over. "Time to wake up, get the... See more Like Debs, I was pleasantly surprised to find a huge hamper waiting for me on the steps the other day. It had Joselito ham, champers, red plonk, white plonk, rosé plonk, tins of foie, asparagus, turrón, the works. And a big thank-you note from my bestest bestest customer. "Thanks for everything", they gurgled. "It's a mystery to us how we get through life without you."
... How I chuckled as I eagerly informed my long-suffering other half. She rolled over. "Time to wake up, get the coffee on, and earn some dosh for Xmas presents to other people," she told me, sighing a little ...
So no, no cards or prezzies yet. But that's like any other year, so it doesn't seem to have anything to do with battening down hatches in the post-Madoff era. ▲ Collapse
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