We also moved into our new apartment. It's about 15 minutes outside of the center of the city and we'll be traveling by Metro to get everywhere now. The reason we moved is because our bed was broken in the other place and it took this long to get a new place that was big enough for us and the Goldens when they arrive on Sunday. This new apartment is so large and beautiful, it's perfect! There is a grocery store right across the street that has everything (even diapers and toys) - and it's SUPER cheap compared to the last place we shopped.
The playground right outside our apartment; you can see it from our living room window.
The only downside is nobody likes it here when we ask if they speak any English. This is the part of town where people live, not tour, so we are cramping their style I guess, lol. I got scoffs, talking back in their language with laughs, rolling of the eyes, and just plain rudeness today. I can say hi, thank you, and goodbye in their language, and we really are trying, but we can not carry on a conversation without some English. It's been typical that we can point at what we want, and they'll put the prices on a calculator and show us... so when I asked for the calculator today, the woman was frustrated. Another woman literally tossed our yogurt at me. I was flabbergasted. Oh well... they'll get to know us around here, so they'll have to get used to us, or vice versa.
It puts a new meaning on accepting others who don't speak our language at home. I did not come to this country expecting people to know English or for them to embrace the fact that I did. But there is a language barrier nonetheless and up to now everyone has done their best to communicate without anger or disgust. I see in America how many people will get very angry if visitors to our country do not speak English. I've heard "go back to your own country if you can't speak our language." English is an international language, but it is not the "national language" of America. America is a melting pot and people speak many different languages. There are people here in Micah's country visiting from Germany and France that we've run into on the streets, and they speak English because it's a universal language. They laughed because not very many natives here speak English, even though they teach it in the schools. But none of us expect them to speak our languages of choice or knowledge. Now I'm on the other end of the spectrum and people are expecting me to speak their language. I don't think I've ever done that to others in my adult life. I really wish others wouldn't as well. This would be my only complaint about anything really so far... and it's only in this new area. Perhaps not visitor-friendly, but one woman did ask us if she could help, and that was very comforting... something I will take with me when I go home and hear someone struggling to communicate in English.
Talk to you in a few days!
5 comments:
Okay, you are one of the nicest people I know! Seriously, your attitude about the woman who threw yogurt at you! Joanne and I were talking today about you and we were saying how sweet you are :-) You are getting a true taste of their culture! Can you load an app on your ipad that will help you with more basic phrases?
In college, I took French from a woman visiting from Paris.
Someone in the class asked if it is true if French (particularly Parisians) hate Americans; she answered yes. When asked why, she answered that they find it offensive that when we visit, we immediately go straight to English instead of attempting French first. She said if we'd just start off trying in French, they'd consider it respectful, then be happy to carry on in English instead.
Perhaps you are encountering similar mindsets here. Even though you don't know much of the language at all, maybe just a starter sentence will get a better response. I hope so, because that does NOT sound fun!
Soon, it'll all be just a memory, though. :)
Sarah
Sarah, it's funny you said that because I went to bed thinking the same thing! We did learn, "Hello or excuse me, do you speak English" all in Ukrainian, so I will try that more today. Thank you! or Merci :) I took French in high school, and it's all been coming back to me as I've tried to learn this new beautiful language.
I got confused and thought it was already Thursday there and ws wondering how your appt. went. , lol. Attempt to converse in their language and be very humble over your linguistic deficiencies. This semms to work with Americans who are intolerant with those who no si habla so it might work there in reverse. Don't let it get to you, I know its irritating, but you are in that country for a bigger purpose.
Many of the younger children are learning English and I found it helpful to ask the preteens if they spoke English and was surprised to find many who did and were more than willing to attempt to translate!
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