One of the reasons I moved to Belize was because it is an
English speaking country. There's English and then there is English. After many
years here, you would think I would understand that and also the importance
of: "the unasked question."
I'm a slow learner. For instance I wear contact lenses. Using my last drop of lens solution one
morning, I realized I had not planned ahead and stocked up the last time I was
in Belize City or the USA. Knowing
exactly where to get the solution I needed, I called the store in Belize City
and spoke to a clerk.
Hello, I'm looking for contact lens solution. Do you still carry
any?
 |
no translation needed |
Yes, we do.
Do you carry brand XXX?
Yes, Ma'am we do.
Excellent I said and hopped on a water taxi with a short
list of other important items to buy in "the city".
I forgot to ask: do you have any in stock? Of course, they didn't.
I've learned to listen for the tiny pauses which indicate
that the person on the other end of the conversation is ready and patiently
waiting for me to ask the important
question in English.
Sometimes I forget and sometimes I think I'm speaking
another language.
