Workmen, trim and language.

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1. Two men from the council bickering about the best way to mend a bench.

2. The Malaysian lady who cut my hair didn't speak English so well, and I ended up getting more taken off than I normally would. I just said 'yes' to everything - she seemed to know what I ought to have. I like it. I keep smirking every time I pass a shop window. I think that when her English improves, she won't stay long with a cheap-chirpy walk-in hairdresser.

3. Plus, despite the difficulties communicating over the hair, we had a good hair-cut conversation about travelling and mosquitoes. I always feel shy about chatting to people with whom I don't have a common language (i.e. anyone who doesn't have much English) so it felt like a good achievement.

Comments

  1. MinkaMonday, October 18, 2004

    Language is such a trivial, yet so important thing. WE take it for granted because after beinng born we learn it very quickly and use it from then on daily without even thinking about the huge ability we are displaying. Things get even rougher when two people meet that do not speak the same language, but there is always a way to communicate to an extend without language itself. Sounds, face expressions, and body gestures and movement. We are indeed an amazing species. And here I am posting on your blog, but my native language is German! I am glad I made the effort to learn to understand other people.

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