Thursday, August 28, 2008

And I Thought Being Bi-Lingual Was A Good Thing

So I have to say, I never expected this conversation. Usually, our Hispanic communtiy loves finding out that there is a person who can speak Spanish to them. Many of them still appreciate speaking english to me, but the like knowing that if ever there is something they can get across in english, they can ask me and they'll get taken care of.
Well, today, I found the Anti-Lingual Man. I was the only one at the librarian's desk and a half drunken man came to the desk. I have helped this man a few times now, but this time he stopped me and said, "I don't want any Bi-Lingual people helping me out! Everywhere I go, people are always sending bi-lingual people to talk to me. I don't want to speak to Bi-Linguals!" So I said, "Well, sir (and I want you all to understand, I have never spoken Spanish to this guy), I am the only one here right now. You can wait here until someone else comes, or I'll gladly come and help you." He grumbled the same sentence about not wanting help from bi-linguals and then I followed him to his computer to help him send an e-mail.
I looked at the screen and everything was in Spanish. he then asked me how to send an e-mail. I almost laughed my head off. How was anyone going to help him if they don't know Spanish. he even asked me what one of the phrases said...! So I told him what it meant and I showed him how to send his e-mail and I took off. If he didn't want my help, I didn't want to give it.
Well, he actually came up to my coworker a few minutes later and told her, "I don't ever want to a bi-lingual person." I just smiled. Finally, one less annoying person that I have to smile pretty for. I think I may have to do a happy dance or something.... wait, maybe not. I don't want to crack a bone.

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