Here is where we answer the most frequently asked questions...
So... you're interested in challenging yourself and putting your knowledge of English or Spanish to the test, huh?
You're at the right place!
Answers to the newest questions first:
Why are you changing to a new platform?
The app for the former platform left a lot to be desired for us organisers.
What if I decide not to register and show up anyways?
We always appreciate if we know in advance how many people will be showing up. Not all bars provide as much room for large groups as we would like, and they want to keep the rest of their regulars happy, so we need to know what to expect to see if we're going to need to split the group in more than one bar or even consider changing venues in upcoming gatherings.
I am a smoker, will I be welcome?
For as long as the covid crisis is ongoing we'll appreciate to have smoke-free gatherings, as we can't separate tables and seats as much as we would like to avoid second-hand smoke.
Older questions:
How does the group work?
The groups or events don't follow a certain structure. The only rule is to have fun and be willing to chat with everyone. For those who are shy we've got a "Magic Topic Box", from which anyone can pick a topic and choose someone to talk to randomly. So you don't need to be an extrovert expert in communication skills to have fun.
Do you speak English all the time?
If all of the attendees are Spanish speakers chances are that we'll chat in English 100% (or most) of the time. However, we usually have foreign members present and we always switch to Spanish every 10 minutes or so, to make of this a true language exchange. The goal is to balance the use of each language so that no one is left behind.
Remember, if you're chatting with a foreign member, you'll want to make the experience more enriching for the other person by allowing them to speak in Spanish with you.
What if I speak other languages?
If you speak other languages don't hesitate and tell us about it in the comments for the event you're interested in. All languages are welcome, though English-Spanish exchanges are our priority, and what most people come for.
What do I have to do to attend?
You'll see the meetups posted in the calendar.
To attend our gatherings, select the meeting of your choice to take a look at more information about it (day, time, location).
If you like what you see in the description, just book your place to reserve a spot.
Is it for free? Do I have to pay?
You don't have to pay for attending our gatherings, though we kindly ask you to order at least 2 drinks at the bar. We're not a business, but the venues that are kindly offered to us are, and the patrons will only be happy if we order a few drinks or even something to eat.
But you do earn money for this, don't you?
No, we don't currently earn any money from our members or from the venues we choose. We don't receive discounts either, and are not affiliated or get compensation from the venues in any way. We consider that our gatherings benefit us just as much as they benefit you. We make good friends and get to brush up on our language skills as well.
As a bonus, we polish our general communication skills (in any language) and improve our own use of the English/Spanish language, which is our main passion and hobby.
How will I know if the group is ideal for me or not?
We're a bunch of people of all ages, and 99.9% of the time you'll only find people over 18 years of age. We keep the topics suitable and engaging for everyone and we do our best to keep the conversation going smoothly and friendly.
Members are always encouraged to bring up whatever topic they want to discuss/talk about, we just kindly ask you not to engage in a heated political/religious/sports argument. Basic etiquette is a rule everywhere, here it's no exception. That way we're all happy
Come and try our meetups, no strings attached!
How long do the meetings last?
They last officially for 2 hours or as stated in the event page. There will always be an organiser /host during that time making sure everything goes according to plan.
How come you don't make the information about the meetups more public? I had to sign up to check out all the details!
We don't allow people who don't belong to the group to view the details of our events for security reasons. Only those who sign up are able to view the information about each event. (this may change with the most recent group updates)
Can I bring my friend to the group?
Please get your friend to book their place so that we know how many people will be attending.
Can I bring my child to the meetup?
Bringing children is allowed, though we don't encourage it. They get easily bored with so many grownups and some topics aren't suitable for their young ears.
In a future we might start some morning meetups more family-oriented.
Needless to say, anyone below 18 years of age MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times
How do I know how to get to the venue? (section under construction)
You'll find the location and a link to Google Maps in the description. I must warn you however, that we've received several reports from our members stating that the iOS Maps app doesn't load the Google Maps accurately. So always check you're at the right place.
Can I advertise my company/services with you?
Spamming the group with advertisements is forbidden, it's a rule we make sure it's followed by everyone since it keeps the overall mood free of the hassle of spam messages. We also make sure all of the activities that take place during our meetups are free for all of our members. If one day there is a need to pay for a special event, we'll make sure it is stated clearly in our event description, with all the due details.
Being a company or a member with the sole purpose of advertising is not allowed either.
We only allow real people in our group list.
We hope this "FAQ" page has cleared up some of your questions about our group. :)