What could be the worst line you could learn to speak in any foreign
language? No it is not curse words. It is also not the Joe’s “How you doin?”.
The worst like you could learn from any foreign language is to ask the person
can he speak some other language.
Well I was in Goa last week. And this time of the year Goa is full of Russians.
I mean really full. Well there wasn’t much crowed compared to last year, as
they say. But still you could see Russians more than locals.
I was standing in front of this ATM. In side 2 Babushkas (“Old lady” in
Russian) were staring at the screen. Screen was running add after add and they
were trying to read. Finally one of them open the door and spoke the only word
from English language they know. “Help”. Because I want to withdraw next I left
with no choice to help them. Not that I wouldn’t had otherwise. But I was desperate
to help them Even though I am little selfish.
So I entered in side. It was crowded place as 3 of us were there. There was
one lady with card. And this other lady double of her size. Thank god they
built big door. This ATM was new one (as far as India) It does not swallow your
ATM card. You just have to swipe in and out. To begin with, she was expecting
ATM to swallow her card. I showed her when “Light turn Green you press the
number” Thank god she understand that part. She wasn’t using normal ATM card
but some Insta Cash card of Visa. It was taking too long to connect server. We
tried to withdraw 2 times and failed. I ask them to check balance. “Blance,
Blance” the big lady prompted. That was new word of Russian I learned that day.
Failed again. They looked at me with question mark on their faces. So I tried to
explain. But they didn’t get my English.
I have seen a 15 minute long Video on Russian Language on Youtube. It was I
think about “How to get hooked up with Russian”. Because conversation lines
were addressed to young girl (Debushka). The first (and only) line I learned to
speak of Russian is “Vi Ponimayote Pon Englisia?” Which means “You understand
English?”
Now
why would you ask any Russian does he/she know English in
Russian? If she
understand English ask in English she will answer “Yes” if doesn’t she will say
“Niyed” (No in Russian.
But that the only thing I knew, and these ladies were not getting their
train on English track so I made blunder and did ask that silly question.
Looking at my skin colour which is lighter compared to most Indians and green eyes,
they thought I am one of them. They might have thought my skin colour is darker
due to tan. And they started bombarding me with their heavy Russian. Both of
them at the same time. And they weren’t speaking same words. I shook my in front
of their faces to tell them I did not get a word of what they are saying. Then the other lady asked me
something. Ending with the word “Pa Rossi” I knew she is asking something
regarding Russian. I shook my head negatively and said “Niyed” They thought I am
mocking them. Knowing Russian I purposefully denying to speak it. They went out
of ATM murmuring something in Russian which sound like “Spasibo” or something.
I don’t remember.
I replied “Das Vidaniya” (There was a Bollywood/Hindi movie by that name)
If someone Reading this and speak Russian please let me know how to say “I
Don’t know Russian Will you please speak English?” (I do not trust Google
Translator. It is awful while translating Indian Languages)
