Thursday, October 28, 2010

the wrong words

One of the joys of living in a foreign land is the communication confusion. Pants. In Korean English, pants are underwear. I was complaining to the man who sits next to me, Martin, that my pants were too big. He looked shocked, then figured out what I was saying and told me to say trousers. Then there was poke. I asked a little boy, "Did I poke you?" He thought I said f**k you. (these kids know all the naughty words) And then there was yut. Pronounced yoot, like root, it's a traditional game played during the Korean thanksgiving time. Said yut like rut, it'd the f-word. My face was red. What will be my next fox pas?

3 comments:

Bethany Grace Martin said...

hahahaha!

Lisa said...

Hi Natalie,

I saw your dad today, at the Kuma Stoves shop, which inspired me to find you and say Hello! I am going to try and keep up with your blog. I like to read them, but would never write one. There's not enough noteworthy to others... I spose lots of people feel that way. Funny work mix ups! I have been enjoying recollecting times spent with you in H.S., and I think you are blessed with just the right temperment to get through stuff like that. Why, I'd just hafta crawl under the floor. Hoping you are well and happy in Korea (so far away!) Bye for now...

Lisa (Freeman)Franey

Lisa said...

P.S. I didn't recognize your dad quite at first, and when he started to introduce himself my brain was jumping ahead and I heard him at first as saying "john lennon", so I was scrambling trying to figure out how to respond to this mr. funny guy who was pretending to be a deceased musician. I figured it all out in time, though. I'm such a dork! :o)