"TRAA DY LIOOAR" IS A TAXING MATTER

A small group of people on the Isle of Man have just dropped their coffee, croissant, bacon butty, or whatever their preferred choice of breakfast is, why? They are the ones who understand the title and have just realised there is something they haven't done yet. Don't worry that's what this gentle reminder of a post is for. I will explain to our non Manx readers.

"Traa dy liooar" means "time enough." It's one of the first Manx saying you learn when you arrive. The pace of life is slower here and this saying is a gentle reminder, an affirmation of that fact. Why tear around? It isn't city life! Things will get done. Pour yourself a coffee, take a break, rest a while then do what needs to be done. If it's Friday night and the business you need to contact is not open again until Monday, why worry. It takes a while to get used to, but it certainly is a lot more relaxing than the stressful breakneck speed of like in the UK.

Speaking of Monday, this Monday 6th October that's the cut off date for our tax forms to be in.
Hence the dropped bacon butties. Time enough, now becomes needs to be done. Really need to.
We complete our own tax returns yearly here. We've had months to get them in, but with "Traa dy liooar," over it's one of those chores that has a definite deadline. So there's you gentle reminder to those stragglers. You have the weekend to complete them and the Tax Office will be open at 8.am on Monday for those who will be working, you can drop your forms in before you start work, otherwise it's a £50 fine for late returns.

I hope that didn't scare you too much over your cornflakes. To balance the tone of the text we have Ramsey Beach. There will be time enough to walk the dog, play with the kids or just look across to the UK and be thankful you aren't rushing around. You may spot the odd passing seal,
practise your photography, or just sit and watch the waves lapping or crashing against the shore, but not until you've settled your tax affairs. I promise the beach will still be there.

Do you have to complete the dreaded tax returns in your part of the world and do you have a quaint saying like Traa dy Liooar?