When it came to picking a foreign language class in college, I picked Español. My reason was pretty simple: Spanish is a hot language. Needless to say Spanish guys are muy caliente too. (And good lord just think what that tongue can do)
Most of my classmates took French and they asked why I did not choose the same. They said it sounds elegant, and I got no objection to that. Thing is, my first encounter with the French people was not particularly pleasant.
On a road trip to Amsterdam from London, I braved the unknown French territory of groovy cafés and slow people, knowing just the phrase 'Do you speak English?' in French. Being Chinese, I thought I was used to all kinds of rudeness and I firmly believed nothing could stop my shameless traveler ego from having a good time…until I felt the urge to pee and tried to ask people where the bathroom is.
'Bonjour. Parlez vous anglais?'
'Oui'
'Great. May I ask...'
And then he walked away, smirking. As he made his grand exit I stood there; puzzled, lost, and ready to wet my pants.
Watching him walk away in anger (and a sense of urgency), I decided to pee in the park.
Most of my classmates took French and they asked why I did not choose the same. They said it sounds elegant, and I got no objection to that. Thing is, my first encounter with the French people was not particularly pleasant.
On a road trip to Amsterdam from London, I braved the unknown French territory of groovy cafés and slow people, knowing just the phrase 'Do you speak English?' in French. Being Chinese, I thought I was used to all kinds of rudeness and I firmly believed nothing could stop my shameless traveler ego from having a good time…until I felt the urge to pee and tried to ask people where the bathroom is.
'Bonjour. Parlez vous anglais?'
'Oui'
'Great. May I ask...'
And then he walked away, smirking. As he made his grand exit I stood there; puzzled, lost, and ready to wet my pants.
Watching him walk away in anger (and a sense of urgency), I decided to pee in the park.
