Lost in translation. by Mathpyramid

Well I don't know if he was Asian or not... and what is Asian? I mean technically Chinese people are Asian. He wasn't Chinese... He could be English, born here but of Asian ancestry. I'll start again.

A few nights ago at work a guy who may or may not have been Asian...

Well, if I'm going to be vague and open ended about it this doesn't really matter. It's not even as if his nationality is integral to the story. I'll start again...

A few nights ago at work some guy came over to the self service counter where customers can help themselves to coffee, tea, softdrinks. I was there refilling the shelves with cups and glasses; I saw the man waiting so I stepped aside to allow him to use the machine.

He did, and as his drink was pouring into his cup he looked at me.

"You're welcome" he said with a smile.

Obviously he meant to say thank you but I didn't say anything... I just smiled back, finished what I was doing and walked off.

For the rest of the night I kept bumping into this same man. Everytime I allowed him to pass, opened a door for him or whatever, he looked at me, smiled... and said...

"You're welcome".

This went on ALL NIGHT.

Finally as I was nearing the end of my shift he once again "thanked" me in his own confused way.

"You're welcome" he smiled at me.

I couldn't remain silent any longer, I had to correct him.

"Thank you" I said, pointing at him as if to say "you mean thank you".

Looking back I should have made this more clear to him, as he replied whilst walking out the door...

"No need to thank me, I didn't do anything..."

WHAT?

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Comments

mature gent

22 December 2009

We are a multi cultural society; at times do feel we are being over- run this little observation helps us to see the humour at least your example was one of trying to help even though this person seems to have had more understanding than he was prepared to display

mature gent .

bobchoi

23 December 2009

Math,  please tell me this is actually a true story... because if it's not... if you actually made this whole thing up, you're even crazier than I thought you are!  This is the funniest thing I've read for a long time!

Mathpyramid

23 December 2009

I assure you this is a true story. Working at a casino in Manchester I meet alot of strange characters:) Thanks for reading.

Also see: Turning small events into epic ones. (Mathpyramid) • Carter and Byron are ganging up on me! (Mathpyramid) • Cervantes' gift. (Mathpyramid) • Scots to the left of me, Russians to the right; here I am... (Mathpyramid) • Lesson 1. (Mathpyramid) • The magic number. (Mathpyramid) • The crazy world of animals. (Mathpyramid) • Making things a little better. (Mathpyramid) • The coffee metaphor. (Mathpyramid) • Book versus film. (Mathpyramid)

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Writer Mathpyramid	Total posts: 39
Roles: Writer

Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM

Description about me? Ok my name is Mathew, I'm 6'4" tall, I have brown eyes and dark brown hair. I'm sorry I don't know what to write. I thought this was a place to share writing not a dating service. ... (Read more)

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