lundi 22 octobre 2012

Sorry for my English!

When I arrived in Los Angeles, I was surprised by the kindness of American people, especially about the English language. Actually, I knew only a few basic words and some famous expressions (it's true): 

"Where is Bryan? Bryan is in the kitchen!"



At the beginning, I did not want to be alone in the "dangerous" city of Pasadena. Do you realize that someone could talk with me about everything!? I was very worried about the supermarket, the post office, the fast food, or the shops in the mall. Oh my God! I thought that my liberty and my independence were in danger and shopping too!!!
I could not just wait for my husband and hope that he could give me some of his time. 


Fortunately, I discovered that Americans are very kind and understanding about foreign people who try to speak with them. I desperately tried to talk in English, thinking about the grammar rules, the place of the noun and the adjective, or matching with French. But every time, I met someone who gave me a helping hand to find the right word and to finish my horrible sentence. To crown it all, most of them told me:

 "don't worry, I understand. Your English is very good!"

At  the beginning, I was very touched by all of these kind of gestures. Seriously! When I was in administration office, I was less and less tensed about my English. Maybe, because I learned new words, but also, and I am sure about that, I was more comfortable with American people.

However, I would like to improve my English and sometimes I prefer that people tell me I am wrong. I often thought about that and also this behavior does not help people like me. But I realized we could not fight against that. It is a chance for us to meet this kind of person. 

We have to think about something. When we will come back in our country: what kind of behavior will you have with foreign people? Maybe American's kindness will be a good thing to keep with us. But, it is just my opinion!

5 commentaires:

  1. I agree with you. This is something that I'm gonna miss. This kindness, this social link. It's gonna be a shock for us when we will be back to France, with all the grumpy people.
    But I still make a difference between people in France, especially in huge cities like Paris or Lyon, and people in Reunion. There they still have this very traditional way to interact with each other and say hello when crossing other people, especially in small neighborhoods where everybody knows your parents or grand-parents and then, by extension,you. But this habit tends to disappear and it's our DUTY, Indrah, to make it live again when we'll be back. ;-P
    Like your little drawings by the way !

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    1. Thank you Pascaline for your message!I agree with you about Reunion people and the fact that this behavior started to change.But, you know, I'm sure there's still a lot of kind people like you and me!;)...For sure, I will act very nicely with foreign people!(even if their French is not really good).
      Thanks for the drawing! ;)
      See you!

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  2. Bravo Indrah, ca c'est de la progression ! De toute evidence tu pourrais maintenant conter la vie de Bryan en anglais et plus seulement le mettre dans la cuisine. Bises!

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    1. Merci Max!! c'est vrai que Bryan peut m'accompagner dans mes pérégrinations! ahaha..des bisous!

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  3. Julien Guillemoteau25 octobre 2012 à 08:57

    Trop bien! Découvertes et esprit d'enfance. Bises.

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