Xpat Interview: Neal James Davis
- 18 Dec 2006 11:00 AM
Neal James Davis, Managing Director of Alternative English School, Hungary ( now not just English and not just languages), was born on 24th May 1959, is married to Csilla, no children, but have a son in England Matthew 24.
At work responsibilities include, financial planning, advertising and marketing, devising and implementing training.
Graduate from University of Kent, Canterbury, and also a Graduate from LCP Elephant and Castle, London. Leisure time: Squash, fitness club, collecting postcards, reading and listening to music.
1.When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I first came to Hungary for a holiday November 23rd 1990. The reason I came was to meet the girl who unbeknown to me at the time would become my wife. Our mutual Polish friends brought us together. I had made friends with a Polish girl in London who had a twin sister, who was a pen friend of my wife’s.
I came to Hungary several times for holidays and my wife came to England. In the June of the following year I came to live in Hungary the plan was for about a year. In the August of 1992 we got married and the rest as they say is History.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No I have never been, but sometimes I dream of trying new countries I’m especially interested in Asia.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
On the positive, how friendly and hospitable most Hungarians are, say compared to the British. In Britain there are people I’ve known who’ve never invited me into their homes. In Hungary there have been people who hardly know me, have invited me into their homes.
A good example a friend of mine was visiting from England and we went cycling. We stopped at a village called Agasegyhaza I wanted to show him the church. While we were there an old lady gave us cherries and a neighbour who could hear what was going on invited us in to his home to drink Palinka and to eat some sausage (Kolbasz) with salami and paprika (fantastic hospitality). I could tell other stories but this is a good example.
On the negative, bureaucracy is still a nightmare, and customer service is still a hit and miss affair.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Buda Castle and any of the baths in town.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
This is difficult but I tell Hungarians my favourite meal would be Halaszle (fish soup) Libamaj (goose Liver) Turos palacsinta (cottage cheese pancake) all washed down with a Korso sor (a large Beer). Lovely Jubbly.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
The Lamp. (we’re very bad at maintaining food levels at home)
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Vasút Állomás. I told some students that this was my favourite word (s) and that szeretlek was a really bad word. I suggested these words should be transposed with each other, much to the mirth of the students. When we parted company they all bade me Vasut allomas. A priceless memory to keep and take with me.
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Custard tarts, steak and kidney pie, Cornish pasty and Sunday Roast. Oh and a really good curry.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I worked for a time in the media in the production end and sometimes I think I would like to give it a try again especially as I know I’m behind on the technology.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
There are many, basically I don’t want to be in a job where it’s repetitive where all the days merge into one. I want to think. I want to be challenged. I want to interact.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
I spent 3 weeks in Japan, which was fantastic. Customer service perfect, cleanliness perfect, food brilliant (I’m an addict now for all things Japanese). Highlight reaching the top of Mount Fuji.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Well I’m hoping to buy a new car in the next 10 days a Christmas present from me to me, a Volvo C70. So my next year’s plan is Croatia. I’d like to feel the air blowing through my hair (I have none ) a beautiful girl sitting next to me if my wife would let her .
13 What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favourite band was and I think still is Pink Floyd. Favourite film ‘On the Waterfront’ with Marlon Brando. Hobby collecting picture postcards, which I still keep adding to.
14. What can't you resist?
CHOCOLATE. I’m a chocoholic I have to stand up and confess.
15. Red wine or white?
Red, I really enjoy the Villany wines
16. Book or movie?
Not a fair question I’m really torn. Holidays reading, work days a movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
Night person for 2-3 years I worked night shift in England, I loved it.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog, no doubt. I don’t have a dog now as I feel with my lifestyle it wouldn’t be fair on the dog but I miss not having this type of company. In England I had Heinz 57 it broke my heart when he passed away. I loved walking him on a Sunday stopping at the pub for a lunchtime pint meeting other guys with their dogs in the pub.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
I have an apartment in Pest so I know it better. Before moving to Budapest I thought Buda but the practical aspect leaves me with Pest. I also have a home in Kecskemét so I think I have the best of both worlds. Monday – Thursday, Kecskemét, Friday – Sunday, Budapest.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Enjoy and get as much out of life as possible but not to the detrement of other people.
Graduate from University of Kent, Canterbury, and also a Graduate from LCP Elephant and Castle, London. Leisure time: Squash, fitness club, collecting postcards, reading and listening to music.
1.When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I first came to Hungary for a holiday November 23rd 1990. The reason I came was to meet the girl who unbeknown to me at the time would become my wife. Our mutual Polish friends brought us together. I had made friends with a Polish girl in London who had a twin sister, who was a pen friend of my wife’s.
I came to Hungary several times for holidays and my wife came to England. In the June of the following year I came to live in Hungary the plan was for about a year. In the August of 1992 we got married and the rest as they say is History.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
No I have never been, but sometimes I dream of trying new countries I’m especially interested in Asia.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
On the positive, how friendly and hospitable most Hungarians are, say compared to the British. In Britain there are people I’ve known who’ve never invited me into their homes. In Hungary there have been people who hardly know me, have invited me into their homes.
A good example a friend of mine was visiting from England and we went cycling. We stopped at a village called Agasegyhaza I wanted to show him the church. While we were there an old lady gave us cherries and a neighbour who could hear what was going on invited us in to his home to drink Palinka and to eat some sausage (Kolbasz) with salami and paprika (fantastic hospitality). I could tell other stories but this is a good example.
On the negative, bureaucracy is still a nightmare, and customer service is still a hit and miss affair.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Buda Castle and any of the baths in town.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
This is difficult but I tell Hungarians my favourite meal would be Halaszle (fish soup) Libamaj (goose Liver) Turos palacsinta (cottage cheese pancake) all washed down with a Korso sor (a large Beer). Lovely Jubbly.
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
The Lamp. (we’re very bad at maintaining food levels at home)
7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Vasút Állomás. I told some students that this was my favourite word (s) and that szeretlek was a really bad word. I suggested these words should be transposed with each other, much to the mirth of the students. When we parted company they all bade me Vasut allomas. A priceless memory to keep and take with me.
8. What do you miss the most from home?
Custard tarts, steak and kidney pie, Cornish pasty and Sunday Roast. Oh and a really good curry.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I worked for a time in the media in the production end and sometimes I think I would like to give it a try again especially as I know I’m behind on the technology.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
There are many, basically I don’t want to be in a job where it’s repetitive where all the days merge into one. I want to think. I want to be challenged. I want to interact.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
I spent 3 weeks in Japan, which was fantastic. Customer service perfect, cleanliness perfect, food brilliant (I’m an addict now for all things Japanese). Highlight reaching the top of Mount Fuji.
12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Well I’m hoping to buy a new car in the next 10 days a Christmas present from me to me, a Volvo C70. So my next year’s plan is Croatia. I’d like to feel the air blowing through my hair (I have none ) a beautiful girl sitting next to me if my wife would let her .
13 What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
My favourite band was and I think still is Pink Floyd. Favourite film ‘On the Waterfront’ with Marlon Brando. Hobby collecting picture postcards, which I still keep adding to.
14. What can't you resist?
CHOCOLATE. I’m a chocoholic I have to stand up and confess.
15. Red wine or white?
Red, I really enjoy the Villany wines
16. Book or movie?
Not a fair question I’m really torn. Holidays reading, work days a movie.
17. Morning person or night person?
Night person for 2-3 years I worked night shift in England, I loved it.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog, no doubt. I don’t have a dog now as I feel with my lifestyle it wouldn’t be fair on the dog but I miss not having this type of company. In England I had Heinz 57 it broke my heart when he passed away. I loved walking him on a Sunday stopping at the pub for a lunchtime pint meeting other guys with their dogs in the pub.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
I have an apartment in Pest so I know it better. Before moving to Budapest I thought Buda but the practical aspect leaves me with Pest. I also have a home in Kecskemét so I think I have the best of both worlds. Monday – Thursday, Kecskemét, Friday – Sunday, Budapest.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Enjoy and get as much out of life as possible but not to the detrement of other people.