Posted by BY J E SOLOMON
Never underestimate strangers and assume you can freely make slighting remarks about them in a language that’s not their own. The shame and embarrassment may be too much for you if you’re not lucky enough.
That was the big mistake two friends, Derrick and Jean, made at a local cafeteria in a suburb in West Africa. They had no idea that a small group of Koreans sitting next to their table were, in fact, “naturalized” residents of that West African country and that some of them understood and spoke the local languages as much as they did.
At a glance, you might think that the Koreans had been in that country only a couple of months long, but not so. In fact, two of them were in their 16th year as expatriates in that country and had embraced the lifestyle of the people. They enjoyed the local dishes more than those of the Western or foreign type of restaurants that have mushroomed in many towns and cities of West Africa. They could also speak some local languages more than one could think of.
The two friends were walking in the cafeteria with their trays of food and drinks looking for a table when Jean spotted the Koreans sitting around a big table. As he walked past them he spoke in his native language, “This people must be cheap. They can’t afford the costly foods at the foreign restaurants.” Derrick then remarked in the local language, “Look at how they’re sweating.”
Soon the two friends were seated. And as close to the Koreans such that everything they said was heard by the expatriates, as well as other locals sitting nearby. Some of the locals were not happy with the uncouth behavior of Derrick and Jean. One of them even wanted to confront the two friends, but he was restrained by his pals.
The cafeteria had open windows, no air conditioning, and only ceiling fans. It was really hot in there. As soon as the two friends started eating, one of the Koreans turned toward Derrick and, looking straight in his face, he spoke in the same local language Derrick had used, “Krachi, Aha ye shi papa” (Gentleman, this place is very hot). Another Korean responded in a rather funny and sly kind of way, “Ampa, Aha ye shi dodo” (It’s true, this place is too hot). Obviously, the Koreans had understood all that Derrick and Jean had been saying. And they wanted the two friends to get that clear in their minds.
Spontaneous laughter erupted in that section of the cafeteria. The locals who had earlier despised the attitude of Derrick and Jean couldn’t have been happier. Giggling with excitement, they walked up to the Koreans and gave them thumps-up. They also patted them on their shoulders. The Koreans then made room at their table and asked the friendly locals to move their plates and drinks to their table.
Derrick and Jean, ashamed and feeling quite uneasy, couldn’t finish eating their meals and decided to leave. As they wobbled out of the cafe, there were boos and jeers from some locals and the Koreans.
It was a lesson learnt the hard way by the two guys. To the Koreans, however, it was fun. They claimed that such incidents were a normal part of their lives as foreigners who had chosen to embrace a new way of life in an entirely different society.
The world is now a global village. More and more people and nations as well are fast becoming socio-culturally diverse. No language or dialect should be considered alien to any perceived stranger.