2008-04-13 "Oh, er... hi!"
Sometimes I ask a kiwi questions that native speakers don't have to ask ("sweet as what?"). In that case, I usually let them know I'm from Germany. It's completely unnecessary, of course, because people can tell I'm a foreigner after the first three words I say. Literally. Here are two lines from a very real conversation I had the other week.
Marc: "Oh, er... hi!"
Kiwi: "Oh, where are you from?"
Marc: "D'oh!"
Today I called this free phone number because I had questions about a brochure. It didn't have a price on it, for example. So I give the guy my usual line "Sorry for bothering you, but I'm from Germany and I don't understand a few things on your leaflet." Before I can continue he interjects "but your English is excellent!". So I say "Thank you! And you're an excellent liar!" When I realized what I had just said to a complete stranger I was a bit shocked about myself, but he started to laugh and the ice was broken.
Hm... the moment it happened it felt like an interesting story, but now that it's written down it seems a bit dull.
Oh well, if you had problems with dull stories, you would hardly be here anyway, right?
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Tip: If you want to know how many Watts the only light bulb in the room has, find it out during daylight. Don't wait until it's dark to stare at the number until your eyes have adapted. It will keep you from blogging for a good five minutes.
2 comments:
I do think that was an interesting story! And to be honest you're English reads very well, so I'm sure you speak it well as well!
Mindy! You're an excellent liar, too!
The other day I was in a shop and asked for the best phone card to call the Philippines. The Indian there was like "oh, are you from Germany?"
It's a thin line between complaining and compliment fishing, but I like complaining too much, so I try not to cross the line too often ;-)
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