Rambling. That is what I’ll be doing here now. I generally like to string my thoughts, make sure they are tuned and then put them out. I have noticed sometimes that what I say comes out totally wrong. When I speak without thinking, my words are mixed, and my thoughts are mixed, so what I say, doesn’t quite make sense.

This of course has nothing to do with my moments of nervousness. I sometimes become nervous and say completely irrelevant things. This has happened in quite a few occasions and I usually can spring out of it. I can be witty sometimes, other times I use diversions and other means to distract people from my faulty words of meaninglessness.

Posted in Miscommunication, Personal 44 Comments »

I intend to make this heading a more common type of post. Occasionally I get a kick out of misunderstandings, ones that don’t involve any ill feelings or deep emotions. Here is an example of the AoM a while ago.

Me (to the guard): Salaaaam Alikom! [Peace be upon you!]
Guard: Alikom el salaaam. [Peace be upon you.]

I sign the sign in sheet and walk to the door to wait for guard to open the door since I have not yet been given an access key card.

Guard (giving me the key card): Khaleeeh 3andak. [Keep it with you.]
Me (Surprised): Oh..

I used the key card to open the door, and asked the guard.

Me (placing the card on the access box): Akhaleeh 3endi? Wela akhaleeh ehne? [Should I leave it with me? Or leave it here?]
Guard: Aywa, Khaleeh 3andak. [Yes, leave it with you.]
Me (taking the key card): Akhaleeh 3endi? [Shall I keep it with me?]
Guard: La, Khaleeh 3andak. [No, keep it there.]
Me: Ahaaa, Mashkoor. [Thank you.]

I placed the card above the access box. Now, if this wasn’t the simplest for of miscommunication then I don’t know what is! For those who do not understand the arabic version, I’ll explain. In the Egyptian dialect “khaleeh 3andak” can either mean “leave it there” or “leave it with you”.

Why I assumed he’d say keep it with you, I do not know. Maybe I felt he was being generous.

Oh and by the way, the access box is about 3 meters away from the guard’s desk. Just to give you all some perspective on the situation.

Posted in Miscommunication 21 Comments »