1/29/09
“Maybe … he’s foreign,” that’s what I say when someone is acting different or dressed unusually. I give foreign people a lot of leeway to basically get away with anything they want. This is not because of any generous or understanding attitude on my part. I say this because I would like the same courtesy if I am ever in their country.
Some of these “I’m foreign” moments are endearing and you can smile and shrug. Sometimes, you can use these moments to get out of trouble, play the ignorance card, and talk in English. Other times, these moments are frustrating for both parties or just embarrassing for yourself.
The bus in Buenos Aires provides ample opportunity for foreigner gaffes, due to a very confusing system. The price of the ride depends on where you are going. The first day, we didn’t know exact change was required. The bus took off, I fumbled around, tried to pay the driver in bills, looked frantically at James when the driver shook his head no and finally another passenger waiting to pay stepped in with change. All I could do was say muchas gracias and shuffle away.
Another mix up led to us closing out a restaurant. People eat a late dinner here, 9:00 PM or even 10:00 PM is normal. We decided to eat in a place that looked like it was full of locals. When we sat down, James looked at the clock above my head and asked me if 10:55 PM was the correct time. I looked at my watch and it said 8:55 PM. I asked the waitress what time it was, and she said that the wall clock was correct. The past two days we had thought everything we were doing was two hours earlier than it really was. (I had been so proud of us for getting up early that day and getting out the door, but in reality we were having breakfast at a coffee shop at 11:00 AM.)
The restaurant closed its doors at midnight. Most people in Buenos Aires linger for a long time after all meals, but we were the last ones in the restaurant, finishing our meals while the staff cleaned. Finally, the staff set a table and sat down for a meal. I explained the situation to the waitress and apologized. It’s daylight savings time here, so that explained being one hour off, but I’m not really sure how to explain away the other hour.
Some of these “I’m foreign” moments are endearing and you can smile and shrug. Sometimes, you can use these moments to get out of trouble, play the ignorance card, and talk in English. Other times, these moments are frustrating for both parties or just embarrassing for yourself.
The bus in Buenos Aires provides ample opportunity for foreigner gaffes, due to a very confusing system. The price of the ride depends on where you are going. The first day, we didn’t know exact change was required. The bus took off, I fumbled around, tried to pay the driver in bills, looked frantically at James when the driver shook his head no and finally another passenger waiting to pay stepped in with change. All I could do was say muchas gracias and shuffle away.
Another mix up led to us closing out a restaurant. People eat a late dinner here, 9:00 PM or even 10:00 PM is normal. We decided to eat in a place that looked like it was full of locals. When we sat down, James looked at the clock above my head and asked me if 10:55 PM was the correct time. I looked at my watch and it said 8:55 PM. I asked the waitress what time it was, and she said that the wall clock was correct. The past two days we had thought everything we were doing was two hours earlier than it really was. (I had been so proud of us for getting up early that day and getting out the door, but in reality we were having breakfast at a coffee shop at 11:00 AM.)
The restaurant closed its doors at midnight. Most people in Buenos Aires linger for a long time after all meals, but we were the last ones in the restaurant, finishing our meals while the staff cleaned. Finally, the staff set a table and sat down for a meal. I explained the situation to the waitress and apologized. It’s daylight savings time here, so that explained being one hour off, but I’m not really sure how to explain away the other hour.
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