On Being a Foreigner

I cannot say I anticipated this particular learning experience, though I should have expected it. Think back to when you have interacted in some depth with a person that barely speaks english. Perhaps you struggle through the conversation and in the end just give up and stop trying? Or maybe you smile and nod- not understanding and not trying to clarify? If anything the interaction will be very shallow.

Well today, and for the next 4 months, I am that foreigner. Yes I have studied french for 8 years and in a classroom I understand everything- this does not at all mean I understand everything I overhear on the sidewalk, or the colloquialisms used by shop keepers.

The thing is- I'm intelligent. I'm in college. I'm a mostly A student. To be looked at, after a few words, as if I'm an imbecile who can't conjugate her tenses and therefore MUST be not worthy of common courtesy is insulting and hurtful. It is the lack of patience or willingness to try to understand that saddens me.

"I AM smart!" I want to yell. "And that Beyoncé you're playing over your shop's radio comes from MY country and YOU don't even know what she's saying!"

Just because a person lacks knowledge of a language does not make them stupid. You could be speaking to a nobel prize winner for all you know.

All people deserve the same respect and patience. Lesson learned.