Feb 18
(source: Google Images)
In the 1st installment of my new feature “Moral Dilemma Day”, I have stumbled upon the following scenario and request, nay, DEMAND your input . . .
You go to the Mall, and enter a jewelery store. Not a fancy jewelery store but rather a costume jewelery store where they sell many sparkly everyday baubles.
You are approached by a young (20-ish?) sales girl. English is clearly not her first language. Both her accent and her appearance make that obvious immediately.
English, however, IS your first language. In fact, you don’t even know any other languages.
This young sales girl says to you;
“Dis fings ah half-a price”
HALF-A price???
Do you;
- Politely nod and continue browsing while silently chuckling over the amusement of her error?
- Kindly correct her by pointing out the word is actually “half” in the hopes of helping with her English skills?
- Become annoyed and impatiently say “What?! What are you saying?! “Half-a” is not even a word! I can’t understand you!”
- Knock her to the ground, pin her down, and make her repeat the word over and over till she gets it right.
- Some other response that I haven’t thought of.
Come on now Bloggies. What would YOU do?
15 Responses to “Yay – It’s Moral Dilemma Day!”
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February 18th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Well, I would be saying, What? What are you saying? I cant understand you, but I would be yelling it really loud, because thats just what you do when someone dosen’t have a great commant of the English language!!!!!! And then I.d walk out of the store shaking my head saying WTF is half a price any-way!!!!
February 18th, 2010 at 10:30 am
I’m not sure what I would do…all depends on my mood. I am capable of all of them. :0
Mary
February 18th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
I would probably be nice about it, but it would bug the crap out of me on the inside. I only correct people that I know and, even then, they sometimes get defensive.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
bahaha it’s like when I get my nails done, i only go to salons where they don’t speak in their language ALL THE TIME because i think it’s extremely rude!
I’d nod and smile, then BUY EVERYTHING!!
xoxox
ps I knew you’d love the pink boa pic from mardi gras!
February 18th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I’m a smile and nod kind of gal myself unless I REALLY can’t understand what someone says.
Interestingly enough, I just returned from such a jewelry store. The clerk’s first language was definitely English though.
February 18th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I’d say “you might think about taking another ESL course”. Not really….I wouldn’t ’cause I’m Canadian and we Canadians are a polite bunch
!
February 18th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
I kind of like “half-a”, and if it wouldn’t make me look like I was mocking non English speakers, I’d say it myself.
It’s cooky. And fun.
Cher
Replied:
February 19th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
You’re cooky. Not so sure about fun.
February 18th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
I would ask her if that is some kind of new latin, along the lines of “egg-latin”, like do you put an “a” after certain words, perhaps those ending the letter “f”?
Seriously, I wouldn’t do that. I would mostly definitely politely nod and continue browsing while silently chuckling over the amusement of her error.
February 18th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I would nod and continue browsing. I’m a-scared of confrontation.
February 18th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Easy. Option three. Get annoyed and question what the hell she said.
And then I would shake my head and mutter profanities in Spanish.
Or maybe this scenario would happen in my head and I would really just smile and say ok, because I am fake like that.
February 18th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Stare at her blankly, then frantically launch into sign language. Just to see what happens.
Thanks for stopping by my blog on my SITS day. And what a great day it was! I don’t do giveaways often (they make me crazy) but I am doing one now for a really cool kids book. Pop by and enter to win. thanks bunches!
February 20th, 2010 at 12:12 am
I would definitely knock her down, then walk away in disgust!!!
February 20th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I’m non-confrontational so I would just ignore her and blog about it later. : )
April 19th, 2010 at 2:21 am
I would get over it because at least that person is trying to learn another language and is working the best they can. How superior to assume people should not make mistakes in English.