It is fun to talk to someone
in his/her own language. It brings a sense of closeness. I am always eager to
learn at least a couple of words in different languages.
At a restaurant in New Delhi, a group of Europeans were finishing their dinner and
we were waiting for our turn. When they got up, I told one of them “Auf
Wiedersehen” (Good-bye
in German). Surprised, she shook hands saying “Danke” (Thanks).
When we entered the Forum mall in Bangalore, I
noticed a European promoting a hair-straightening product for women. My
daughter looked at it with excitement and I asked him the price. He mentioned
it, and thankfully, I did not faint.
I asked him where he was from and he replied Hungary.
My daughter and I chorused, “Bochanot” (Hungarian word for Excuse me). We had heard
the word in a famous English serial.
He was so touched he gave a
free demonstration and my daughter was thrilled with her new look.
Talking about looks, you
might have heard this joke.
A woman leaving a beauty
parlour tried to dial her hubby, “I am ready, come and pick me up.”
“Wrong number, ma’am,” came
the reply. “This is a cemetery.”
:) too good :)
ReplyDeletelol..
ReplyDeleteGood one!!
LOL @ The joke! and familiar language breaks so many barriers na?
ReplyDeleteYour posts also truly global...:)
ReplyDeleteGood one and 'nanri' for this post.
ReplyDeleteWhen visiting other countries I think its really important to at least master the basics - please, thank you, where's the toilet? etc.
ReplyDeleteVannekam saar :)
ReplyDeleteVandhanam Nanbare!
ReplyDeleteAgree!
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteThe tricky part is when they start conversing in the same language ! That joke was to good :)
ReplyDeleteYou have a great personality. Don't change for the world needs more happy people like you.
ReplyDeleteYes, knowing a language is an added advantage. A Telegu auto driver once charged me half the meter just because I knew a phrase or two. An Orissa man wrote up all alphabets for me once he discovered I could read some words!
ReplyDeletewww.anucreations.blogspot.in
It was a good one. You seem to know a little of many languages.
ReplyDeleteloved ur article. Excellent one.
ReplyDeletelove this article. Excellent one
ReplyDeleteha ha...funny at the end!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, people love it when you speak in their language, its difficult to learn further into most of the widely spoken languages but simple greetings are easy to catch up!! :)
I am an andhraite studying in Bangalore. My college is dominated by gujjus with a very few kannadigas. I learnt kannada as the librarians and lab technicians yield to us only when we speak in local language. I would plead in Kannada to the librarian and that's how I used to be excused even if I was overdue on books.
ReplyDeletemother tongues strikes a chord in people!