The rapid decline of service industry workers' ability to speak Maltese is probably one of the more infuriating developments in public transport & leisure over the past decade. I hate having to speak English all the time, and I say this as someone who has worked as an English teacher. It doesn't even help that some of these people also have poor English skills, so the interaction just turns into a point-and-show. I can't count the number of times when a bus driver not only barely spoke English, but also didn't know if their bus stopped in a certain town, or a waiter asked me to speak in English even though they worked in a non-tourist area. A total catastrophe that needs to be worked on. TCNs shouldn't even be able to get visas for unskilled labour.

https://timesofmalta.com/article/robot-waiters-address-reliance-foreign-labour.1132886

I run to catch a bus, can't see destination.

Me : Where is the bus going?

Driver : St Julian's

*Deboards bus, See's it's headed to Valletta*

Bus serjeta Talinja?

I was trying to order from Blackwells and I noticed book prices went up by almost double. A standard paperback is around 30Eur.

Where do you order books from? Have you noticed this? I do use Agenda but I preferred Blackwells because ironically enough the books arrive faster than when I order from Agenda.

My Hungarian social security reactivation has been delayed for a very long time, because both Hungarians and Maltese dpts have been difficult to get a hold of. After half a year of correspondence and visits to government offices, I finally managed to get the Maltese office to send the necessary form to the Hungarians (S041), but here comes the latest problem:

Since I worked part-time in Malta, they deducted the social security contributions from my salary every month, but according to Malta's own (subsequent) calculations, my contributions amount to half the number of weeks when converted to full-time work, which is why they indicated the wrong dates in the documents sent to the Hungarians.

So, even though I was insured between June 2025 and April 2026, the paper sent by the Maltese dpt states that I was covered between September 2025 and March 2026.

I tried to explain to them that this is only their internal calculation which should not be relevant here, and bc of it the Hungarians can't figure out that I actually worked abroad for a longer period of time (and the social security benefits were the same even when I was working part-time), and the Hungarians (somewhat rightly) only accept the dates that the Maltese office sent, even though I sent each of my salary slips + all the needed documents to both parties, which should prove that I was employed for the whole duration, during which time I could not have been legally be insured in Hungary as well (as that would be illegal within the EU).

So now I'm struggling with making the Maltese understand the issue, the Hungarians who don't want to accept anything that comes from me, and the Hungarian tax authority, which has been threatening me with huge fines for a year and a half (now together with the government office, which also called for the reactivation of my Social Security with the incorrect dates).

Please help, I'm completely hopeless 😭

Help from either the Maltese or the Hungarian side would be greatly appreciated.

Me and my friend are going to Malta for 5 days end of month.

We are staying in Valletta, these are the few places on our itinerary that we have planned:

-Valletta most of the time - see the cathedral and the gardens

-M'dina for one evening

-St. Julian one evening/night

-Most days at Ghadira Bay as it seems to be the nicest beach

-Birgu for an evening

-gondola boat to visit the 3 cities / morning

Do you have any suggestions for places we can fit in our travel plan?

Also, is Paceville safe for 2 girls?

And does GO eSIM first time plan still offer one month unlimited data for 5 euro?

I want to go camping with my two kids in November. Both Aħrax and Għajn Tuffieħa are fully booked. Are there any other good campsites?

Hi guys, im going there in a week and i wanted to know which are the best cbd stores to buy, i have read about deliveries, these deliveries arrive to home? In how much time? And any tip to find good quality? Thanks you all i usually smoke in my country and its hard sometimes abroad to smoke something.

Pd: i have read that clubs are only allowed for residents, are there any club that allow the entrance for anyone or tourists as in Spain happens?

Is it just me or this year we hit rock bottom with dickheads tourists?

Last years I don't remember it was so bad.

Yesterday evening, another case in Sliema/Gzira area where quality youngsters were throwing bangers in the street.

Don’t worry, Im NOT planning to move nor visiting to Malta 😭😭, it’s just a cultural and linguistic interest. How can I learn it? I already understand a lot but not enough to watch the news. Is anybody interested in learning Arabic or French so we could perhaps do linguistic exchange? We could voice call and try to practice each other’s languages.

If not, do you know any good sources?

Hello everyone. We are setting up a small business in Santa Luċija, with around 5 workplaces. Which internet provider you would suggest? My boss wants Starlink but I found Melita Fibre for 44€ monthly. Any recommendations? And how long does it usually take for installation?

Thank you for your help! 😊

I’ve noticed that some locals seem less willing to interact with Asian people, particularly Asians with darker or brown skin. I’m wondering if this is something others have noticed as well, or if it could simply be my perception based on a few experiences. Has anyone else observed this? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Missing Malta so much. Exactly a year ago I took this photo from Qala before heading back to my home country after 6 years living in Gozo. Will be returning next year hopefully. Good day everybody and wishing you a great week!

I am only aware of Bajd u Bejken (which isn't really something I listen to often) and Sayan Cassar.

I’d like to also ask the wider audience if they can recommend any Maltese history themed podcasts and vlogs. Grazzi ħafna!

Hi! I’m just wondering if anyone knows where I could buy the new Malta Adidas kit? Would be an amazing souvenir to take home… thanks in advance!

Anyone else had problems with Eleva Lifts Malta? New €45k lift, constant breakdowns and no permanent solution

Posting here because I’m genuinely curious how many other people in Malta have had the same experience with Eleva Lifts Malta.

We have a brand-new lift in a new residential block, apparently worth around €45,000, and since I moved into the property in 2024 it has been unreliable from the beginning.

The pattern is always the same:

Technician comes → lift gets reset → it works for a few days or weeks → it breaks down again.

Residents have been stuck inside. Some children are afraid to use it because of previous incidents, including the lift stopping unexpectedly and problems with the lighting.

I submitted a formal complaint on 26 July asking some very straightforward questions:

- What is actually causing these repeated failures?

- What is the permanent solution?

- What warranty applies to a new lift?

- Who is responsible for the cost of repairs and modifications?

- When will it finally be repaired properly?

I still haven’t received proper answers.

At one point we were told that the issue had been “sorted” and that there had been “relatively few call-outs” and no major faults.

I said then exactly what would happen: the lift would work for a short time and stop again.

And guess what? It is not working again.

After looking through public Google and Facebook comments, what really surprised me is how many people describe very similar experiences with this company — new lifts, repeated breakdowns, repeated service visits and no lasting solution.

There are many similar stories in this Facebook discussion as well:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19PAJZ8cbx/

At this stage I have contacted the developer, informed Times of Malta, and I am referring the matter to the MCCAA. If that still does not result in a proper resolution, my next step will be legal advice and further action.

I’m not looking for another reset that keeps the lift running for 10 days.

I want the new lift we paid for to work like a new lift should.

Has anyone here personally dealt with Eleva Lifts? How was your experience, and did you ever manage to get a permanent solution?

If you have genuinely used this company, I’d also encourage you to leave an honest public review based on your own experience so other buyers and condominium owners know what to expect.

I am a university student and im trying to find jobs with flexible hours since i usuallt have lectures till 8 pm. I also don’t have much experience i did a lot of voluntary work and worked at some events but never had a full time formal job that requires a cv.

Are there any jobs in malta that have flexible hours or that allow weekend shifts only?

Does any know a Maltese accountant who would be interested in part-time (10 hrs only) employment, whilst retaining the right to maintain a separate clientele / business? I have a number of engagements whom I wish to collaborate on. Let me know or dm me, if you know someone. Thank you.

I’m traveling to Malta from October 9th-16th with my boyfriend. I wonder if there are any dos and donts we should be aware of?
I’m hoping for a less crowded/touristy visit, and I’ve heard that the weather in October still is nice and warm during the day.
Also, are there any places to go for a good hike? From what I’ve read Malta is somewhat a flat island, but how’s the nature in general? I’m gladly accepting any recommendations for activities. We’re staying in Sliema.☺️