Starts to Conversations I Never Thought I’d Have May 25, 2016

I have added many conversations into my blogs; however, there are some that just made me pause and question what is going on. All of these were asked as I wrote them in English, so I wonder what is being missed in translation or understanding. Whatever the reason, they are always a reminder to keep on my toes and be ready (or as ready as I can be) for the unexpected. Some of them have been asked multiple times and I’ve yet to develop an answer I really like. How would you respond to some of these?

“What is a hip-oh-pa-tah-mus?”

“There are no dirt roads in America.”

“Where is Califoria?”

“What happens when a man and woman stop being married?”

“You are Protestant?”

“You are from Washington. So is Obama.”

“All cars in America are cheap.”

“Sex is a basic need…according to psychology.”

“There are no black people in America.” (When asked about Obama: “Okay there is one black person.”)

“Do you go by bicycle or ride bicycle or drive bicycle? What is grammatically correct?”

“I want to marry you…so we can have a hybrid!”

“Jessie you don’t have a boyfriend?! Not even in America? But you are sexy!”

“Jessie you are beautiful! Yesterday you were 75%, but today...WOW!”

“What is the difference between shit and sheet and shoot?” (Note: With Ethiopian accent this is tricky!)

“You didn’t eat a snake today?” (teacher friend meant “snack”)

“I’m the best smasher, but you are the best digger.” (referring to playing volleyball)

“Why didn’t you come visit me in jail? It’s part of our culture to visit colleagues in jail.”

“What jobs in America could I have?” (asked by a completely blind teacher)

“Why are you white?”

“White hair is not caused by genetics.”

“Do you accept my idea to love you?”

“What is brat warts?”

“How is life being single? It is difficult for me.”

“I don’t think Uruguay is a part of America.”

“Hot weather is best for women and cold weather is best for men” (When asked why: “Because women are bigger in places where it is hot and men are bigger in places where it is cold.”)

“Do you agree that if Ethiopia wants to stop poverty it needs to improve education?”

“What do you call white hair in America?”

“Which is better red or black?” (referring to light and darker skin tones)

“Are there illiterate people in America?”

“Are there beggars in America?” (When told yes: “No, you are lying to me.”)

“I know the states of America: Texas, Los Vegas, Hollywood, Ohio and Washington D.C.”

“How are Americans Christian if they eat meat before Easter and celebrate on a different time?”

“Jess, do you know WWE? Is it real or fiction?”