|
|
|
#2
09-01-2010, 01:16 AM
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, very true about languages. I wish I knew more Spanish.
funny story... A black guy I knew in Chicago was very interested in German culture and language partly because of his German great-grandfather. He studied German all through college and became fluent. He was not at all a ghetto-type person...he was into fine wines, seashells, sculpture, classical music and other wimpy type stuff. (No offense, anyone.  ) But he was about 6'4" and muscular.One summer, he went to Germany to see the country and meet with distant relatives. When he was by himself on one of those gondola things that goes up a mountain, some locals speaking German were calling him a stupid ni**er and went on and on about black people. When they were dangling at the highest distance from the ground, my friend, in flawless German, started talking in a friendly way about how interesting the scenery was and that being from Chicago, he'd never been on a mountain before...how high up were they anyway? long way down... Sure wish I could have seen the looks on their faces! After that, they talked nice to him, but he said they looked more scared than anyone he ever saw. From going to summer school in France (French haughty? oh you bet!) myself in the same timeframe, I know Europeans thought of Al Capone when they heard Chicago. It had a rough reputation. And they were hanging in a car high up. Eeeek! In France I'd be some places where they claimed there was no one who spoke English so I would stumble along in my one year of college French, and lo and behold, I'd get an answer in English. They respected you more if you at least tried to use their language. But I wonder how many tourists in France thinking no one around speaks their language provide entertainment talking about the French or even private business. Last edited by Mea; 09-01-2010 at 01:29 AM. 
|
|
#4
09-01-2010, 07:24 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Of the pair I worked directly with, I was invisible to the Frenchman unless there was something he REALLY needed to communicate in arrogant, badly broken English. The French Canadian was far more approachable. I'm curious about foreigners and people from other parts of America. In one of our conversations I asked about the hard feelings between the French Canadians and Anglo Canadians - he said it was all true but it wasn't between he and I. True to many of the foreigners I have met who aren't fluent in English, he - unsolicited - began teaching me the names of tools and such in his language. One Sunday I was discussing all this with a Cajun friend. My friend suggested greeting the Frenchies with "Como Se Va?" the next time I saw them and see what happened, which I did. They all got big smiles and said "Tre Bien!". The ice thawed after that. A lot of Mexicans are like that. Some do have genuine trouble learning English, I believe many more just don't want to. There are many, particularly women (the men seem more of a sardonic or a cynical bent) who are aloof to anything beyond necessary communication. Some are afraid or distrustful, others are a-holes who want to work you around to accommodating them in their language. However, meeting the former half way with a little Spanish tends to open them up. If I think they are A-holes, I won't speak any Spanish with them unless I'm pissed off. On the other hand and sad to say, I believe that out of 20 who appear friendly to the point of close friendship only one genuinely will be a friend. I am sometimes baffled by the contrasting behavior of poor Mexicans who share everything with each other and the fact that no one can screw a Mexican like another Mexican. And I'm a gabacho, something "special" in the Mexican national consciousness.
__________________
Freibier gab's gestern Hay burros en el maiz RAP IS TO MUSIC WHAT ETCH-A-SKETCH IS TO ART Don't drink and post.  "A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." - Old New York Yiddish Saying "You can observe a lot just by watching." Yogi Berra Old journeyman commenting on young apprentices - "Think about it, these are their old days" SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. Never, ever, wear a bright colored shirt to a stand up comedy show. 
Last edited by ilbegone; 09-01-2010 at 07:40 AM.
|
|
#5
09-01-2010, 12:25 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
When my son was working at Egghead, (you know how long ago that was) a man came in trying to buy something and didn't speak a single word of English, only Spanish. He tried to get someone to help him doing all the familiar things, speaking slowly and carefully. Several sales people tried to get him to leave and come back with a translator. All he got was frustrated and angry. For some reason, it made my son frustrated and angry who got so mad he spoke to him in French.
The man broke into a huge smile, so happy to find someone who could understand him and answered in French. It turned out to be a large sale once the language thingy got solved. To this day, it reminds me of I Love Lucy.
|
 |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
