airINDIA
3rd August 2007, 03:03 AM
...as in problems experienced during a new venture in life, metaphorically speaking!
I am just amazed at the amount, level, and especially the properness of English being used in India now. It wasn't the case back when I was in India 9 years ago; atleast not in the rural parts of India where I lived my life. Take FZ for example. Even if this site was available back then, or any other sites for that matter, I couldn't have participated for two reasons; first I didn't know the difference between computer and radio, and two, I could hardly say few English words like "Thank you" and "Sorry"...
...That said, it was so hard for me for first few years in US with the lack of English knowledge. To this date, I laugh at myself with my friends/family re-visiting those days and painfully funny mishaps that resulted. Wish to share those here with my friends on FZ:
1. It started with no later than me arriving at the Dullas Airport. Me and my mom came together. I guess according to the rules of Agriculture Dept. you cannot bring any food from out of country into US without being screened. Entering customs, we were then asked if we have any food in our hand luggage. Zoned in on the word "food" because I couldn't understand anyother word, I remember saying to my mom, "Mummy, ye hume puch raha hai ki hume bhukh lagi hai?" and I said, "YES"...that was it...they took us to one of those glass cabins, where they did an extensive search of all of our luggage. :angry:
2. I was in Baltimore for 1st year of my life here, working at a Dunkin' Donuts my cousin owned. Working an overnight shift (intentionally placed in that shift, so I won't come in contact of his precious American customers, and ruin store reputation), I would talk to a few customers who would come for late night coffee. After having picked up a little English, I was always eager to start and carry on a conversation with anyone I got a chance with. When we were talking about India, one of the customers asked me one day, "So, how's India, is it cool over there?" I didn't understand the slang "cool" and said something like, "You must be outta your freakin' mind, it's so damn hot over there..." not in so many words, of course... :blush:
3. Same Dunkin' Donuts. We were 5-6 Indians working that night-shift. 3-4 months into US, and I was the only one there who could answer the phone (Yeah, Imagine the mishaps the other co-workers created if they came in contact with customers). One early morning, a local elementry school representative called the store and put in an order for 120 dozen donuts. I asked, "What kinds?" she said, "Anything but Jelly". So, she wanted just mixed order of donuts of all kinds but "NO JELLY". How would I know that? I thought the lady meant she wanted all 120 dozens donuts to be JELLY donuts. As is we were pressed for time, because the order came at a short notice for the same morning delivery. The night crew was responsible to fill all the orders for the next day. So I went to the backroom and told my "Fellow Indians" to make 120 dozens of Jelly Donuts. I left the store at 7am. When I was sleeping at 10am, my phone rang. It was my cousin, and other store managers chewing me out...rightfully so. Because the lady over there was freaking out because she was looking at 120 dozens of donuts that she perticularly ordered me not to make! :o
Anyone else go through any kind of Teething Trouble? It doesn't have to be about language barrier!
I am just amazed at the amount, level, and especially the properness of English being used in India now. It wasn't the case back when I was in India 9 years ago; atleast not in the rural parts of India where I lived my life. Take FZ for example. Even if this site was available back then, or any other sites for that matter, I couldn't have participated for two reasons; first I didn't know the difference between computer and radio, and two, I could hardly say few English words like "Thank you" and "Sorry"...
...That said, it was so hard for me for first few years in US with the lack of English knowledge. To this date, I laugh at myself with my friends/family re-visiting those days and painfully funny mishaps that resulted. Wish to share those here with my friends on FZ:
1. It started with no later than me arriving at the Dullas Airport. Me and my mom came together. I guess according to the rules of Agriculture Dept. you cannot bring any food from out of country into US without being screened. Entering customs, we were then asked if we have any food in our hand luggage. Zoned in on the word "food" because I couldn't understand anyother word, I remember saying to my mom, "Mummy, ye hume puch raha hai ki hume bhukh lagi hai?" and I said, "YES"...that was it...they took us to one of those glass cabins, where they did an extensive search of all of our luggage. :angry:
2. I was in Baltimore for 1st year of my life here, working at a Dunkin' Donuts my cousin owned. Working an overnight shift (intentionally placed in that shift, so I won't come in contact of his precious American customers, and ruin store reputation), I would talk to a few customers who would come for late night coffee. After having picked up a little English, I was always eager to start and carry on a conversation with anyone I got a chance with. When we were talking about India, one of the customers asked me one day, "So, how's India, is it cool over there?" I didn't understand the slang "cool" and said something like, "You must be outta your freakin' mind, it's so damn hot over there..." not in so many words, of course... :blush:
3. Same Dunkin' Donuts. We were 5-6 Indians working that night-shift. 3-4 months into US, and I was the only one there who could answer the phone (Yeah, Imagine the mishaps the other co-workers created if they came in contact with customers). One early morning, a local elementry school representative called the store and put in an order for 120 dozen donuts. I asked, "What kinds?" she said, "Anything but Jelly". So, she wanted just mixed order of donuts of all kinds but "NO JELLY". How would I know that? I thought the lady meant she wanted all 120 dozens donuts to be JELLY donuts. As is we were pressed for time, because the order came at a short notice for the same morning delivery. The night crew was responsible to fill all the orders for the next day. So I went to the backroom and told my "Fellow Indians" to make 120 dozens of Jelly Donuts. I left the store at 7am. When I was sleeping at 10am, my phone rang. It was my cousin, and other store managers chewing me out...rightfully so. Because the lady over there was freaking out because she was looking at 120 dozens of donuts that she perticularly ordered me not to make! :o
Anyone else go through any kind of Teething Trouble? It doesn't have to be about language barrier!