21 June 2012 / by Radmila Gurkova

Potatoes with your car wash?!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Vs-KMuqjI

Attracting business is extremely TOUGH in today’s world but it seems that one Madrilenian car wash owner will go to any extreme to get your money.

He is offering to wash your car and you can take away a bottle of Rioja, three kilos of potatoes or he will buy you a beer in the bar across the road.

His business – The Garaje Espronceda - is in the Chamaberi district of Madrid. Segundo Martin said “We have been some time now with FEWER customers and we were cleaning only 15 cars a day to the PREVIOUS 20. We had to do something as five families live from this business” Segundo is the manager who has worked there for almost 30 years.

He told El Mundo that they all put their heads together and DEVISED with a plan that would revitalize local businesses with offers that could change daily.

They have negotiated with local businesses on discounts so as when clients go to collect their free wine etc they may also do their local shopping – or PARTAKE in a beer or meal.

The garage is surviving and it has brought SOLIDARITY to the district.

What do you think to this business idea? Could you do something similar with your business?!

30

November 2011
HAKE HOAX? - Get Your Teeth Into This Topic!!
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwyQC71vfxA Consumers in Spain trust the mild-flavored white flesh of hake, which is the most popular fish in a country that eats more seafood than almost any other in Europe. Hake is considered safe for pregnant women, and kids crunch into the cod-like fillets as fishsticks. “There’s trust because of the cul...

30

November 2011
A Cutting Story for a great Topic
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28jvlBA0RMk&feature=youtube_gdata_player Here is something to 'highlight' your day!!!! A documentary movie showcasing one of the best known names in global hairdressing to date - Vidal Sassoon. They say that Vidal Sassoon is more than just a hairdresser - he's a rock star...

29

November 2011
English tips #15 Brother-in-law. PLURAL?
by Radmila Gurkova
What is the Plural Form of Brother-in-law? The most common mistake made in English. What is the plural of brother-in-law? My brother-in-law's or My Brothers-in-law? The co...

29

November 2011
Happy and You Know it
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ2aEF337tY And what about starting the new week with this funny song with easy vocabulary. Pay attention to the musical instruments and the words related to likes and dislikes. And if you've listened carefully... ... you'll be able to ans...

28

November 2011
English tips #14 I and Me
by Radmila Gurkova
The two pronouns are often wron...

25

November 2011
Friday Fun: 'Romans Go Home'
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIAdHEwiAy8 Seeing as it's Friday I thought it would be time to post something for a bit of fun! Hopefully you've all seen the excellent 'Life of Brian' by the Monty Python guys. This is an excellent excerpt from the film where 'Brian' is having difficulty with his Latin grammar and conjugations! Hopefully yo...

25

November 2011
English tips #13 Good and Well
by Radmila Gurkova
GOOD and WELL (Often confused by native and non-native speakers) Good is an adjective - It describes nouns ...

24

November 2011
English tips #12 Tag questions
by Radmila Gurkova
Tag questions can be difficult, can't they? A tag question consists of two parts: 1. a statement and a short yes/no question. 2. the two parts are separated with a comma. ...

24

November 2011
Spain's Lost Babies
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Hf-woEDeg How much are children worth to you - especially your own child?! In recent news..... Spanish society has been shaken by allegations of theft of thousands of babies by nuns, priests and doctors, which started under Franco and continued up the 1990's. More then 900 cases are being ...

24

November 2011
Who is your Hero or Heroine?
by Radmila Gurkova
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGt5iiEsThk What is a Hero or Heroine and what is the definition? A hero or heroine is......."A man or woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities" or "A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities o...