Oh, and by the way
I forgot to mention that I’m sitting in an internet outfit run by Pakistanis for Pakistanis, because my wireless-only laptop has been rendered redundant in this wifi-free zone and – hey, guess what? – the computers don’t take USB drives. So I can’t even get my work done in the hotel, then bring it here and dispatch it. No, I actually have to do it here, in these uninspiring surroundings.
And in case you’re wondering why a Pakistani place, it’s because the others are full of Sicilians. Say what you like about Pakistanis, but they see a woman alone and they leave her alone. They don’t harass, they don’t pester, they don’t ask WA YO FRAMMMMM, and when you ask them where the apostrophe is on this damned keyboard, they show you without accidentally brushing against you, and then they go back to what they were doing before. Thank God for Pakistanis and the fact that they’re everywhere.
To tie in with our little debate about pronunciation, English, communication, and so on: there’s this magnificent example of the problems caused by mispronunciation leading to miscommunication, on a great big poster ad at Fiumicino airport: GENOA BOAT SHOW. THIS IS THE TOWN. AND THIS IS THE SEATY. I stood there and read it. And read it. And read it again. Had they spelt city wrong? No, that would be too much. The words ‘this is the town’ were emblazoned on that part of the aerial photograph showing built-up Genoa, while ‘this is the seaty’ was printed over the bay. So I chewed on some banana sweets while considering this conundrum, and finally, I worked it out. It was a pun, except that the pun doesn’t work because only Italians pronounce city as SEA-TY, while everyone else says SITTI.
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I forgot to mention that I’m sitting in an internet outfit run by Pakistanis for Pakistanis, because my wireless-only laptop has been rendered redundant in this wifi-free zone and – hey, guess what? – the computers don’t take USB drives. So I can’t even get my work done in the hotel, then bring it here and dispatch it. No, I actually have to do it here, in these uninspiring surroundings.
You can work using google documents. The documents you write remain hosted online, and you can retrieve them when you’re back home.
(Daphne – The point is that I don’t have a line. But never mind. And it turns out that they’re Bangladeshi.)
Quote: “say what you like about Pakistanis, but they see a woman alone and they leave her alone. They don’t harass, they don’t pester, they don’t ask WA YO FRAMMMMM, and when you ask them where the apostrophe is on this damned keyboard, they show you without accidentally brushing against you…”
Ever considered the fact that Pakistanis might find you unattractive? ;)
(Daphne – Actually, the opposite is the case, because I remind them of the nice girls back home. And it turns out they’re Bangladeshi. They come from a culture where you pester women at your peril.)
Daphne, have you ever been up in some Sicilian mountain village?
(Daphne – Yes, and it taught me the meaning of ta’ minn wara l-muntanji.)
Now, I am sure that if you went to Sicily and the Sicilian men ignored you, you would be very upset and offended! :)
(Daphne – The last time men ignored me, Holland, I was probably 11 years old.)
(Daphne – And it turns out they’re Bangladeshi. They come from a culture where you pester women at your peril.)
write to the people hosting this site then http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41738.htm and inform them.I am sure it will be news to them.
I imagine they are still living godfather style “Hey Salvatore, never take sides against the family” and following courting couples for their windy walks :)))