Friday, September 12, 2008

Language and the bargaining experience

Yesterday, after the world stopped spinning, I took the world out for a spin.

I took mom to see an physical therapist because her legs hurt. The
therapist was a N. Indian, Hindi-speaking person. The conversation
that followed is one reason I think India is just so cool.

Mom: నా కాలు నొప్పి పెడుతోంది.
Dr.: कहाँ पे?
Mom: My knee.
Dr.: మీరు ఇక్కడ ముందు వోచ్చారా?
Mom: No.
Dr. Aunty, आपको treatment compulsory అవసరం.

And so on ...

-----

Later in the day we went shopping for fruits and I was made to realize
once again how utterly inadequate I am at bargaining. This is a skill
I need to develop if I am to survive India.

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