More Drink?

Its funny how two separate events can trigger a random memory.

Earlier today I read something that referenced the upcoming summer olympics. I remembered where I was for the last games. I watched all of it from my hotel room in New Jersey while working on a building out there. Hard to believe it's been that long since I was on the road.

Tonight I went to China Wok to get my General Tso fix. The lady there didn't speak the best English. They never seem to. Probably try not to, as the accent might be most of the allure.

Then I was transported.

Its a hot summer day. I'm in an unremarkable town in North Jersey doing the same work I always do, regardless of the State or weather. I love it. It's time to break for lunch so we head to the plaza closest to the job site. We always explore to find the closest mini-mall joint to the site for eats and stick to it. Now for the duration of the job we are either on-site, at the mall, relaxing at the hotel, or at the closest bar.

This sweaty day everyone else opts for the deli in the mini-mall. Its either that, the $7 extra value meal, or a chinese place. I go chinese because I'm really feeling an egg roll.

I walk in to the strangest conversation I've ever had to witness. The chef, whose native language is mandarin and has no english skills outside of the menu and a little currency, is trying desperately communicate with an arab man whose mastery over english is only slightly superior, because he works in the the convenience store trade. Theres a state law in New Jersey that all gas must be pumped by an attendant, and most of these positions are dutifully filled by these first-generation immigrant types.

There are no words to describe their accented, fragmented conversation, and their mutually rising frustration with one another for not comprehending. English is the toughest language to communicate in when neither party really "gets" it. Finally, after some textbook "if i speak slower, you'll understand me" mixed with pointing at the menu, then at picture illustrations hung on the wall, some compromise is reached. I realize I might have served well as arbiter and helped the situation, bonding "far east" and "mid-east", but thats an ethnocentric view. I'm just happy to live in America, and wonder who'll win the hundred meter dash.