Quote:
Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina
When I lived in Italy (Napoli) I used to think that my grasp of Italian was pretty darn good. I learned I was wrong on a trip to Rome. I was driving around the city trying to find my hotel and was hopelessly lost. I decided to ask a gentlemen "Scuzi Senor, dove Albergo Royal Palace" (Sir where is the Royal Palace Hotel.) He pointed left and said "Sinistra." I thanked him and was on my way to a street called Via Sinistra. Drove about 30 more minutes and could not find Via Sinistra. Asked another gentlemen "Dove Sinistra" and he looked at me strangely and pointed left. I am getting closer I thought to myself. After asking two more people which way Sinistra was and getting the same answer I finally decided to break out my Italian/American Phrase book to learn that sinistra means left. So I spent about 3 hours asking Italians which way is left. I finally did find my hotel and had a wonderful time. Later my grasp of Italian was so good that I had a job calling Bingo at an American and Italian club. B two, B DOO-eh I could say with confidence.
|
brilliant story madam b.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mores
I guess they wish to "reward" you for your efforts. Then again, maybe your german or french is so bad they feel you will probably not understand them 
I appreciate it when someone tries, at least, to speak in my native language, but sometimes, when I reply and get a blank stare, I offer to switch to something we both understand better. No use giving directions when all the other guy understands is the general direction you indicate with your hand. |
i usually switch to english if a tourist seems not to speak much french (but did make the effort) for the same reasons.
Quote:
That said, I went to france 2 weeks ago and was at one time pretty annoyed when the french lady in the store tried to speak english to me. My french is pretty good, and I was asking for a "thingie for an allergic nose". I mean, doesn't it count for anything that I can say "thingie" in french?
|
well, i'm very impressed, if that makes you feel better.
