Recently I had some work done in my house. The men that came to do the job did not speak English fluently, one not even at all. Prior to the workmen arriving at the house another gentleman came out to measure my counter tops. He could not speak English either. The only thing he could say was “ok” and “right.” My salesperson was a Caucasian gentleman and I thought he might do the measurements, but that was not the case. After I made the agreement to do business with the company I asked if the people who were going to install the countertops could speak English. He said one of them will be able to. Well he was right one could speak some English, enough to ask for water and where the bathroom is and what did I do for a living. We were able to communicate and hold a limited conversation. I guess the important issue was that he understood what he was supposed to do. But having two adult men in your home and they are speaking Chinese the entire time was, for me, a little bit unsettling. The job turned out well thanks to a lot of hand gestures and them knowing exactly what they were to do.
Word up!
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)
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