There are only
so many ways
that one can say
"Cut through
your steak."

With language
then a different
language
(hopefully theirs)

then
body gestures
followed shortly
by
oh well
I give up.

It is that
miscommunication
that happens
so frequently

and if
you are their waiter
the enduring begins

taking a drink order:
"Gene y toanic"
"I vant vine"

proceeds to
taking a food order
"Fill-it Mig-none"
"Stripe"
"Prime Rib-AYE"

to:
"How would you
like that prepared?"

"Medio"

"Ok, so medium
is a
hot, red center
pink to edges"

"..."

"RED and PINK."

"Yaes, eh, pink."

or

"Yaes, cooked."

And if all goes well
through all that
there is always dessert:

"Cafe Americano,"
which simply means
black coffee,
the American way
apparently,
using the beans we get
from another country.

10/15/2008

Posted on 10/15/2008
Copyright © 2025 Jeffrey Parren