Does this make you laugh?

Question

I have traveled to a Spanish speaking country this summer with a few non-Spanish speaking people. To my amusement, a couple of them thought they could add the letter"o" to the end of words in order to be understood. One woman learned the word vamos and used it for absolutely everything, even though it made no sense. And of course we had the classic...speaking really loud and really slow in order to be understood.

I'm sure many of you have experienced this whether your native language is English or Spanish. I would like to hear some of your funny stories.

• This is an old question from September. - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009
• geeeeeeeeeeez, I was just going to delete it...I remembered the old one!!! jeje, good job nicole!! - Heidita Nov 20, 2009

Answer 1

A smile and laughter is understood in every language and I think that is a great thing!!!

Of course it is, Nicole

And Quentin, I think you are looking at things from a pure American point of view. In Spanish countries, we laugh a lot at others and about others and with others and nobody gets mad, normally anyway.

So a good humoured young waitress being teased somehow by some good humoured young Americans...I can see nothing wrong with that, it is in our nature to laugh that off and we actually tease back

I mean, just look at my thread Yo Leonor, this woman is teasing the Royal family as a whole!! And some things might be considered rather...rude or at least out of place...and I am just as sure the Prince has a good laugh at that, so does the King, if they get to read that well known for his good sense of humor. I guess this would be impossible in the Japanese culture or even closer home the British.

Why be so serious about how we look to others?

• I wish I could vote for you five times in a row!! Quentin almost scared me away from the site, but I stuck around. Now I know he's a good guy!! - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009
• seeeeeeeeeeee? I am saying that all the time...grumpy guy but a good heart, jeje, he once sent me a letter I almost fainted and he was just joking...:p - Heidita Nov 20, 2009

Answer 2

Haha I do like telling people this... to say something in Spanish you just put 'os' after each word... Italian it's 'a' or 'la' after each word... and of course for German, you just shout everything

• Wouldn't it be great if it was that simple!! - Nicole-B Sep 10, 2009
• For German, try to sound like you are trying to gargle Listerine while you talk. Then they will all understand you fine. - webdunce Nov 20, 2009

Answer 3

I deliberately seek out opportunities to enjoy a good laugh when in Mexico. And because Mexicans (is this a stereotype?) love laughter, it's easy.

Here's a recent example: I often stay at one motel in the mission region of northern Sonora, and, over the years, have come to know some of the staff. But I so easily forget names, so the last time I went, we all re-introduced ourselves as some of the women were sitting around a table in their work room eating lunch. (I was invited to join them for a taco, of course.)

I made word play with their names. To Carmen, I asked her where her "Carmen Miranda hat" was. Whereupon, she rose from the table and did a short "cha-cha-cha" dance. To Guadaloupe, I asked her if she'd been behaving "saintly" since we last met. She gravely nodded and blessed me. Which drew raucous laughter. To "Laura," I sang a few bars of the song in English. She knew the song and sang back in Spanish.

They also teased me - again - about my name. For some unknown reason, my Anglo name translates into what is considered a rare and ugly name in that region. "Llameme justo, Señor Feo," I said. (And predictably, they call me "Señor Guapo.")

All in good fun, so much so, that I am looking forward to another stay there, soon.

• Sounds like fun! - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009

Answer 4

It is funny. People are funny when it comes to language.

I remember my high school French teacher relating a story of a college professor teaching a class on Ancient Egypt. Apparently, a student asked if the Ancient Egyptians wrote in English. To which, the professor responded, "No." Then the student asked if they spoke English. Again, the professor responded, "No." Finally, the puzzled student asked, "Well, how did they communicate?"

• Dunce corner for him!! - sunshinzmomm Nov 20, 2009

Answer 5

I went to a party with a spanish speaking friend of mine, everyone there except for about 2 people were hispanic. I ran in to one couple that asked me a quesion in spanish. When i told them that i didn't understand they just repeated the question slower and slower. Finally i just kind of nodded my head and tried to go along with it. I got a good laugh out of that one, who knows what i was agreeing to!

• Thanks for sharing Wintergirl. Apparently, someone has answered this question from September in a negative way, but I am thankful that you understood what I was trying to say. - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009

Answer 6

I was surprised and find it amusing that this question from September has resurfaced by someone who finds it necessary to be mean spirited to the people on this forum.

I shared this awhile back because I was curious to hear about funny situations that others have encountered in their travels overseas. I guess not everyone finds these sorts of situations amusing, but at least in my experience, the way some of my non-Spanish speaking friends tried to adapt to the new culture enabled us to all laugh at ourselves. It actually brought us all closer together (both the Americans and Dominicans). They in turn said some things that made us laugh as well. We all shared a special bond and relationship on this trip as we shared in the common language of "humor". A smile and laughter is understood in every language and I think that is a great thing!!!!

Answer 7

One time my brother and I were eating at a Mexican restaurant in Texas and the young lady didn't speak English. She did however know one word, the word "maybe". Naturally the more Margaritas we had the more we picked at her. She was cute and good natured and the three of us had great fun. I think when I go back to Mexico for fun I'll just answer every question "quizás".

Answer 8

My favorite is when you hear guys use the term "estoy embarazado" thinking they are saying "I am embarassed."

• Hearing a guy say "estoy embarazado" is a scary thought! jeje - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009

Answer 9

This is related to a comment about "The Ugly American" and stereotypes.

As I noted in a comment above, the book actually is about a man whose mission is a sensitive understanding of a fictional Far East country and her people.

It is amazing (though not surprising) that when the "ugly American" is cited, it's used as the exact opposite of the book's theme.

You might enjoy checking out "The Ugly American" on Wikipedia for a more detailed analysis.

Answer 10

You know? I was going to make a loooooong comment and then thought again about it and decided not to.

I understand that this is already an old story going on here in the forum BUT felt the need to say one thing, which everyone that has been to a Spanish speaking country already has experinced: people will not think bad of you or think you're stupid if you make a joke like adding 'o' to everything if you mean it as a joke. Now, people will take it as an insult if you mean it as an insult.

In the same way you can make all sorts of jokes with all sorts of languages, you are entitled and it is fun to make them when speaking Spanish: joking will tell your friends you have a sense of humor to begin with, that you can take yourself not so seriously, but if you actually ask how to say things it will tell your friends you also want to learn. There are moments for everything, you know?

And let's be honest... who doesn't make jokes about language and words? We all do!!!! So next time try to relax and if you want to crack a joke do it (as long as you're not being insulting or demeaning) and you will see how it can help you around.

Enjoy language and communicating.... and remember we all make mistakes!

ps: just keep in mind: if you wouldn't want a certain joke told to you, you probably don't want to tell it or make it.

Answer 11

This really made me laugh.

My neighbor and I live in a town less than 18 miles from the US border with Mexico. (85% of the population here arises from Spanish-speakers. Most are bi-lingual.)

He refuses to drive south to shop in the border city on this side of the border. Because "Those people speak Spanish! Even most of the clerks!"

And so, to shop, he drives his new Ford Fusion north to a retirement community which is inhabited by mostly retirees from the Midwest. Where English is virtually the exclusive language.

We enjoy a friendly relationship, good enough for a little teasing. So, when I bought a Honda Odyssey, he razzed me about buying a "Jap" car.

"No, I didn't," I replied. "My car was built in Birmingham, Alabama, using 75% US-made parts."

"No kidding!"

"!n fact, my car is even more 'American' than yours."

"Whaddya mean?"

"Well, your Fusion is built entirely in Hermosillo, Sonora out of only 35% US-made parts."

"No kidding?" he exclaimed, eyes widened with disbelief.

"No kidding!" I replied, while suppressing a chuckle.

Answer 12

It doesn't make me laugh. Just the opposite. Perhaps you've never read the novel or seen the movie The Ugly American. What impression do you think these people left behind as ambassadors of our culture? Don't forget that you were "guests".

.

• I would add something, but I would just be echoing what you have already said - Izanoni1 Sep 10, 2009
• Yes, of course we were guests, but our hosts found this more amusing than we did. I guess when I used the word "laugh" I meant it in a more sarcastic manner. I just find it hard to believe that educated people still make those same mistakes. - Nicole-B Sep 10, 2009
• I read "The Ugly American," and the title is deliberately ironic. The protagonist is actually an ideal American, one very sensitive and appreciative of the different culture he's living in. - 0057ed01 Nov 20, 2009

Answer 13

Sounds like the same thing i did!

Answer 14

I think you guys are stupid. Just reinforcing the American stereotype even more. Thanks!

• I'm sorry you feel this way and that you felt that it was necessary to answer a question from way back in September, in such a negative way. - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009
• oh, and I am leaving this comment on, jeje, after all this guy has given us a chance to talk some more about this nice thread;) - Heidita Nov 20, 2009
• Thanks Heidi. I can't believe he had to dig back so far just to be cranky! jeje - Nicole-B Nov 20, 2009
• Aw, he's only 19! Just a mere child... And, anyway, stereotypes can be helpful. I know I use the negative one about Americans all the time when in foreign countries to counter it. - 0057ed01 Nov 20, 2009
• Besides, he's obviously a "troll," given that he's made no attempt to use the intended purpose of the site. Seems a candidate for deletion... - 0057ed01 Nov 20, 2009

Answer 15

Did you catch the enticing ad on these pages for a nice, new Jeep offering interest of "up to 0%?"

Does that mean that the offer also includes interest of, say, "-2%?"

Funny ad!