February 16, 2007
Learning a new language can be very challenging, especially as we get older. When my fiancé and I decided to move from northeast Kansas to tropical Costa Rica, I began to purchase and stockpile workbooks, dictionaries, idiot guides, CD's and other various means to learn to speak Spanish.
With the aid of these items, I've been able to add to the basic Spanish I learned in high school. Somehow I wasn't able to retain much from my Spanish I and II classes taught by Mrs. Dysart. But, to be fair, I only took those courses to be able to go to Mexico on a class trip at age 17 (had a blast, by the way). How was I to know those lessons would be of great benefit to me 25 years later?
Now that I have studied those lessons again using "Spanish for Dummies," my biggest foreign language obstacle is that I don't get to practice my Spanish within conversations. On the Southern Pacific side of this tiny Central American country, we live near and associate with many English-speaking people, other expats like ourselves.
Our typical interactions with others don't provide many opportunities to converse in Spanish. When I am confronted with someone whose only language is Spanish they often talk too fast for me to understand. In these situations I have to resort to asking them to:
Slow down — "más despacio, por favor"
Repeat what they said — "repeta, por favor"
Tell me what an item is called in Spanish that I point to and say, "¿Cómo se dice en español?" (What is this called in Spanish?)
Or, what works well with me, just acting out what I want or need.
I put all my skills into practice when I was at the Panama border, stocking up on items we can't get locally. On my list that day were Q-Tips. I headed to the area of a store that sells shampoos, soaps, lotions, etc. I looked around for Q-tips but wasn't able to locate them. With other errands I needed to run that day, I didn't have a lot of time to spend looking around. I needed to find someone to help me so I could finish my shopping and go.
Normally, stores in Costa Rica have employees stationed in every aisle to assist you. Actually, it's more like they are there to breathe down your neck, push items in your face they want you to buy, while at the same time make sure you don't steal anything. It wasn't the case in this shop. Looking around I couldn't see any employees in the department I was in. Continuing my search I finally spotted a lady wearing a smock at the end of an aisle.
She didn't look up from the shampoo bottle she was studying when I neared her. Needing her attention and assistance I loudly cleared my throat. She looked toward me with a glare that said, "leave me alone. I'm not done reading the instructions on how to use this shampoo." A little leery of this woman, I gave her a smile that I hoped translated to, "I'm sorry, but I need your help."
I took a deep breath then made an attempt to speak in my limited Spanish, "¿Usted trabaja aquí?" (Do you work here?)
With just a slight nod of her head, she seemed to indicate that she did. Her face, completely void of any emotion, caught me a bit off guard. I have found that most Ticos (an affectionate term for the locals) are very friendly as well as helpful. Not this lady. She made me feel very unwelcome and a little nervous.
Maybe she was just having a bad day. Been there. Maybe she doesn't like foreigners in her country. Been there too. Maybe she was PMSing. SO have been THERE. If she was suffering from PMS, I could certainly understand, but if THAT was the case I wanted to tell her, "do your job or tell your boss you're sick, go home and eat a bag of potato chips. It works for me."
I didn't want to seem rude, or like a stupid tourist that I feared she thought I was, so I tried very hard to be pleasant. I wanted to attempt to converse in HER language. In America we seem more accepting of folks from other countries living among us if they at least speak English. Well it is the same here. The Ticos rather we at least TRY, even though it's botched up, to speak their language then expect them to understand what we are saying in ours.
I continued on my Q-tip quest by stating "Yo necesito una cosa para mí oído." (I need a thing for my ear.)
With no emotion from her that made me think she understood or even cared about what I was saying, I pushed through the awkward silence.
I admitted to her, "No se la palabra en español," (I don't know the word in Spanish) and even, "mí español, es no bueno" (my Spanish is no good). Still, I got nothing from her.
With my attempts to speak with her having failed, I resorted to acting out what I needed. I held an invisible Q-tip between my thumb and forefinger, inserted it my ear and exaggerated twisted it around, digging for dirt.
I then took out the invisible cleaning device, held it towards her and pointed at it with my other hand, and asked, "¿Usted tiene es aquí?" (you have this here)?
She nodded. She understood. She really, really understood me! I smiled with glee at my Spanish success. She however didn't seem impressed. By now I just wanted to get my item and exit the store. I eagerly asked her, "¿Dónde, por favor?" (Where, please?). The clerk coldly pointed to the lower shelf right where I stood. They were practically by my feet the whole time! Q-Tips!!! Whoo Hoo!
I picked up a package and told the communication challenged sales clerk, "Gracias, muchismo gracias!" (Thank you, thank you very much!)
Feeling like I accomplished a major breakthrough in my shopping experiences, I turned to take my prized item to the checkout.
But, before going on, I glanced back at the clerk and asked her "Como se dice en espanol?" (How do you say this in Spanish?) I wanted her to know I was trying to learn her language, but I also wanted to find out if SHE could, or would speak to me.
When she didn't reply right away, I thought I had used the wrong words. Not giving up easily, I gave her a questioning look along with a tilt of my head, just like my dog gives me when she's curious about something. The canine action seemed to have sparked something in her. The unhappy sales clerk appeared like she might actually speak to me.
But then she gave me a look that caused me to worry about what she might say. I was troubled that I might not understand her if she did reply.
She raised a bushy eyebrow, looking very annoyed with me for being in her country, let alone in her store, and announced that the Spanish translation for the item in my hand is called ... "Q-Tips." Oh, man ... I AM a stupid tourist!!
I've since realized that MANY "name brand" items are the same, all over the world. I just wished I had gotten that tip prior to this particular shopping day. Oh well, it was good conversational Spanish practice. Even though it was one-sided.
I am just glad I didn't have to act out a need for HEMORRHOID ointment! Imagine the look she would have given me for that?
It's a Jungle Down Here!
Este una jungla abajo aquí!
Comments
vivian46 (anonymous) says...
I have had almost the same experience when we lived in the Czech Republic. I was actually looking for Q-tips. The difference - the shop assistant was friendly and helpful. How about going into the grocery and ordering sliced cheese and ham and getting the correct amount, sliced to the perfect thickness without ever speaking a word. Yet, the clerk and I were both laughing and enjoying each other's pantomime.
February 16, 2007 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ronnasmom (anonymous) says...
I can just imagine you acting out your wishes - your bright eyes sparkling and all your gestures so fun to watch. Keep up the interesting stories.
February 16, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amyhastings (anonymous) says...
Oh Ronna! What a crack up! I am so glad that you conquered the Spanish Q-tip! Sounds just like a day out of my World!
Love ya! Amy
February 20, 2007 at 8:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rvonknorring (rvonknorring) says...
Hey Vivian46,
Your deli encounter (congratulations by the way) reminded me of when I had to request various chicken "parts" at the meat counter down here. I just pointed to MY legs, "wings", and breasts then said the number of each I wanted. How I longed for the prepacked chicken parts back home. But, I did take home what I wanted that day and had a few laughs as well.
February 20, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vivian46 (anonymous) says...
Oh Ronna, Thank you for the wonder laugh about getting chicken.
Let me share another quick story. On one of our trips from Litomerice to Prague, I carefully told the clerk in broken Czech that I wanted a "two day ticket" for the metro. It took me a few seconds to realize that the man responded in perfect English that the cost would be 60 kc.
P.S. - I have heard that Costa Rico is beautiful and that my traveling adventures are not complete until I go there. Is that really true?
May 16, 2007 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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