Tim Relf, writing in Farmers Weekly, has produced a handy guide to avoid misunderstandings between farmers and students seeking vacation work.
What students say and what they mean: "I've a wide range of experience. (I've broken something on almost every kind of farm machinery.) I can drive a combine. (I'd love to try driving a combine.) I played a lot of sport at college. (I drink too much.)" What farmers say and what they mean: "We've had some lovely students in the past. (I haven't been taken to a tribunal for years.) Last year's student still writes to us. (We're in correspondence with his solicitor.) We'll show you how the computer works. (Can you show us how the computer works?)"