User talk:Dr.Poison

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Its a bit late, but ...

Welcome!

Hello, Dr.Poison, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically produce your name and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or place {{helpme}} on your talk page and someone will show up shortly to answer your questions. Again, welcome!  Elf-friend 13:08, 7 April 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] New User

My pleasure. :-) A lot of newcomers do get welcomed but unfortunately some good newcomers, such as yourself, sometimes "slip through the cracks". I would be happy to chat about any aspect of South Africa, of course. :-) I have never been to Finland but I have visited Sweden. Kindest Regards, Elf-friend 08:21, 10 April 2006 (UTC)
I have been to Sweden twice, once as part of a general tour of Europe when I was six years old (that was in the 1970s) and then on a business trip to Stockholm a few years ago. My impressions of the city was that it was quite attractive, orderly and clean. It is going well here in South Africa; I spent five years living in the Netherlands but returned quite happily to SA after that time, because it is a fantastic country, despite having its ups and downs. The weather here is a bit cold and rainy (winter approaching). In fact, we have had an abnormally high amount of rain this year. Kindest Regards, Elf-friend 11:19, 10 April 2006 (UTC)
Oh, yes, soccer is the most popular sport in South Africa, actually. Rugby comes a distant second. Cricket, gholf and road-running are some other popular sports.
Well, it is going well with the economy of South Africa, and the relations between the races are fairly good. However, crime is not at an acceptable (low) level yet, and corruption has also oocuured more often than we would like. In addition, there is lack of proper maintenance of some infrastructure in some areas, which has led to power outages and polluted water.
On the other hand, we have a beautiful country with fine weather, and (speaking for myself, anyway), a nice standard of living.
So, all things considered, South Africa remains one of the best countries in the world to live in (and believe me, I have visited quite a few). Elf-friend 07:58, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
No, I think to say that "it is not safe to walk the streets" is an exaggeration. Certainly, there are sections of South African cities where I'd rather not walk alone at night. But the same is true of many other cities, such as Amsterdam, The Hague and Paris (to name but a few). I guess that some people just like being negative about their own (or other people's) countries ... which is sad.
An anecdote: An Italian friend of mine lived in Pretoria, South Africa for 5 years without being the victim of any crime. He then moved to London to study his MBA, where his flat was burgled. He now lives in The Hague in the Netherlands, where he was pulled of his bike, assaulted (including a kick against the head) and robbed last year. So, where would you rather live?
And the reason that one would probably rather use a car is that the public transport system is not as good as those in Europe.
Are there people dissatisfied with the state of South Africa? Well, most people are probably dissatisfied in a minor way, because they feel that things could be better or different. I'm probably one of those. But then I'm sure you think Sweden and Finland aren't 100% perfect either.
I think that people who are extremely dissatisfied are usually from the more extreme left or right wings and are only a small minority (I think User:Alcatel is one of those) ... most people would just like to get on with their lives and make do the best that they can.
Kind Regards, Elf-friend 10:59, 21 April 2006 (UTC)
"Do white South Africans find it hard to talk about the past, as many of them where positive to apartheid?" ... I don't think so, I certainly don't find it hard. But then, it isn't really a nightly dinner-table topic of conversation either. However, although many (but not all) White people will admit today that apartheid (or aspects of it) were wrong and hurtful, the funny/strange thing is that they will not admit to being supporters of apartheid when it took place (even some ex-government ministers). How is the weather there in Sweden/Finland? Regards, Elf-friend 09:00, 25 April 2006 (UTC)
I have e-mailed you a reply. Regards, Elf-friend 10:12, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
Rhodesië gee oor = Rhodesia surrenders, basically. No real newspaper named "Die Uitkyk" (The lookout) as far as I know. Regards, Elf-friend 14:37, 4 May 2006 (UTC)
Hi, thanks for your message and sorry for still not replying to your e-mail ... I'll get to it, I promise. Thanks also for your input on Dewet's RfA, although my "spamming" has drawn some criticism ... :-(
Anyway, below is the text of the "proud to be" sign - I hope it is helpful:

{{userbox|green|gold|[[Image:wikipedia_flag_south_africa_large.png|40px]]|This user is proud to be <br>'''[[South Africa]]n'''.}}

Kind Regards, Elf-friend 12:31, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Referendum

I have read through it and it is a fine article. I have made a few small edits. Kind Regards, Elf-friend 08:09, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Please vote

Hi, if you have not yet done so, we could sure use your input on Wikipedia:Requests for adminship/Dewet. Thanks! Elf-friend 10:26, 19 May 2006

PS: Thanks for your e-mail, I have unfortunately not had time to give it the attention it deserves, I hope to send a reply to you early next week. Kind Regards, Elf-friend 10:37, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Unsourced statements

I wouldn't worry too much about it if I were you ... everybody contributes according to his or her abilities and sources ... there is nothing like doing something stupid or violating something (except, of course, things like a neutral point of view and civility).

That being said, it is a good idea to cite a source in the text of an article (like this: [1]) when you make a really specific statement (such as x% of people voted for this or that party). The source does not have to be electronic, of course, you may also say (Source: Beeld, 18 May 2006), although that is not so easy for other people to check, of course.

When you use a source or sources for a whole article, you may also put a separate sources section at the bottom of the article, see my Battle of Italeni article, for example.

I hope the above helps.

Kind Regards, Elf-friend 11:30, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Congratulations

Congratulations to winning Eurovision.Europe love Lordi :)--Givern 22:24, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Joo, niin tais. :) Eipä tullu ikinä mieleen et vois oikeesti kiinnostaa joskus jotkut euroviisut. :D - ulayiti (talk) 22:53, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

  • Kyllä! pidetään hauskaa! Dr.Poison 23:23, 20 May 2006 (UTC)
    • Bileet! --Kizor 23:28, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Congratulations! The UK's been a bit naff in it for a while - What's Helsinki like at this time of year? Anthropax 01:24, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

even more congrats!--Greece666 03:50, 21 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Thanks

Just wanted to drop a note of thanks for all your great contributions to South African articles... I see your name popping up all over my watchlist now! ;) dewet|✉ 01:02, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Bush Telegraph

As an honourary South African ;-), maybe you'd be interested in this ... Wikipedia:WikiProject South Africa/Bush Telegraph. I hope to respond to your e-mail(s) early next week. Kind Regards and have a great weekend! Elf-friend 13:12, 26 May 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Professional level of English?

Hi Martin. Er. This is a bit awkward. I happened upon your Userpage for general looking-about reasons and noticed you claim a professional level of English. I've corrected the grammar, punctuation and spelling: some of the errors were rather basic and although the style likewise does not reflect an advanced level, I've let it alone. The Babel box is untouched too. I'd say that Intermediate seems a more accurate description of the level demonstrated. Of course this is really none of my interfering business but I mean well, would be happy to help out with any polishing anywhere if you want and suggest you edit this off your page! All the best. Plutonium27 00:22, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your well-cool reply. I'm not unfamiliar with your favourite UK TV programmes and I hope you'll find lots more to enjoy. I spent 6 months in Helsinki while studying law at the University via an EU study thingy and was delighted to find that the national TV stations were more interested in quality shows from the UK rather than USA action-bullshit. Of course action-bullshit has its place (McGuyver rules) but not on when you are trying eat your dinner and learn better English and that. Anyway, I'm about and still willing to offer anonymous assistance with a London accent. Plutonium27 22:17, 25 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] You still here?

Hi Dr P. I was just checking through my Talk page and thought I'd drop by to visit with you and see how you're doing. Noticed there wasn't much activity lately here (though I haven't checked out your contribs) so I was wondering if you're still about. Hope you are. All the best Plutonium27 (talk) 22:38, 14 March 2008 (UTC)