When I started to work for an American company, my English was more than rusty and only my 9 yrs long school english. So it was normal that in the beginning there were quite some misunderstandings !
Once I asked my collegue at 10 pm "Do you have some scotch for me ?" She looked at me with scandalized eyes and said "what ? scotch ? so early in the morning ?" I couldn't understand what she meant, I really needed it ! and why should I wait until later, I needed it now !
After some time, she and I still talking in different directions, I finally found out why she was so surprised ! She thought I wanted a glass of Whisky, and I was talking about an adhesive band to stick papers together which every french speaking person called "scotch" which in fact was the name of the company who produced it. We had a big laughter all together !
And then another day I had brought some cookies and offered it to a collegue : "Hey Simon, do you want to have it with me ?" Useless to say that he burst out in laughter and said "yes of course" I was happy that he took some of the cookies, but couldn't understand at all, why everybody around was shaking of laughter. Later they explained to me what I had said. Yes sometimes the best jokes are created in real life !
9 comments:
He, he, very good, Gattina!! I can totally relate as English is not my first language either!!!
Very funny! I thought you meant the tape, but sometimes I could use "scotch" in the morning :)
Just moseying around the Over 50 blogroll. Love your stories, especially the Scotch incident.
Good story about communication and linguistique complications. I remember I told some Danes a sad story and I hade to "grine" (weap) about it. The Danes looked at each other, shooked their heads, but said nothing. "Grine" in Danish means "Laugh".
=^.^=
Hi Gattina,
Another funny story! I am enjoying your tales. (and your comics too)
Lisa
I speak English and don't understand half of what people say to me, ha,ha..
Hello - at least you had the excuse of the language barrier.... I was listening to my Brownies tonight and not understanding most of what they were mumbling to me. Lots of smiling and nodding from TC!!!
: ) Hi Gattina!
Loved your post today....
Have a good evening...
It is sooooo true! I knew where you were going with the scotch! But it was funny anyway! LOL! And in the second instance - you're lucky your boss was a gentleman!!! Hehehehe...
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