The other day I joined a couple of my coworkers for lunch. For some inexplicable reason, I asked one of the of the aides ( non-professional as per immigration standards) on which visa she came to the states. She explained that one of her family members petitioned for her. Then we talked about various visas, and I mentioned something about her and her home country of Ecuador. The conversation lasted a few more minutes and then lunch was over.
An hour or so later, I saw the aide again and all of a sudden it clicked. She was not from Ecuador but from El Salvador. Someone else in our lunch group was Ecuadorian. I pointed out my mistake to her and the Ecuadorian lady and asked why neither one of them corrected me. While they said that Ms Ecuador was smiling the whole time during lunch at my error, they didn't really explain why I wasn't corrected.
This incident reminded me a scene from Clueless where Cher told her housekeeper that she didn't speak Mexican. The housekeeper got upset and Cher's brother? had to remind her that the housekeeper is from Ecuador, not Mexico.
And though I found this incident amusing, I still ask myself - Why Didn't they correct me?
Politics is not the point
1 week ago
6 comments:
LOL, the housekeeper was from El Salvador! (Sorry, just showing off my remaining memory)
I gave up on explaining to people the different between Russia/USSR/Ukraine. They probably did too. Reminds me of another incident, but I think it's good enough for a post.
mission accomplished. post posted.
Barb-ROFL!!! I did it again! I knew that the housekeeper was from El Salvadore but wrote Ecuador.
KH- I think your cleaning lady just doesnt speak English.
Subwife- I actually knew where each one came from. But due to unforeseen circs I don't sleep enough and it shows...
I think they didn't correct me for a different reason.
Moshe- I happen to think that's exactly it, LOL!
(albeit sad, as they are unclear about 'my country' and my native tongue).
I don't doubt you know the difference between El Salvador and Ecuador. However, the majority of Americans don't.
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