Wednesday, January 12, 2011

You Don't Know Me

Or do you?

Today, for the second time this week, someone I had never met before, at least in person, came up to me and knew who I was.

Both knew me from the blog.

Darn it folks, aren't you paying attention? I am anonymous!

Or not!

Anyway, both of them had to suffer through my unsolicited two cents worth, only because I really like to try to help people. Of course, take free advice is sometimes worth what you paid for it! :)

Today, my poor classmate came in looking exhausted. He normally is tired anyway because his wife, who is also in our class, just gave birth to their second child. So now they have a two year old, a two week old, and two full-time careers (she is on maternity leave at the moment). And now they have visitors. And last night, they lost their power.

For four hours.

With snow, two small children and two houseguests.

So he was tired.

Our teacher can make a teaching opportunity out of just about anything.

So she had him call the electric company (me).

And as good as our teacher is about making a teaching opportunity out of anything, I am even better at making a smart ass opportunity out of any teaching opportunity.

So he "calls."

I answer.

"Thank you for calling the electric company. All of our lines are busy. Please wait."

Cue musak.

I come back. "Thanks for waiting. How can I help you?"

"As you know, it snowed last night."

"Yes, I can see the beautiful snow from my nice warm office."

"Yes, well I don't have power."

"Let me check our computer. Please wait."

More musak. Teacher at this point is rolling.

"No, I don't see that your power is off. Are you sure you have no power?"

"Yes, I am sure."

"Oh, did you pay your bill?"

"Yes! Where are you located?"

"India"

We finished with me saying workers would be there in six hours, hopefully, and for him to call back if they hadn't arrived.

Okay, but it is really being a smart ass if I was just doing an accurate call?

8 comments:

Jill said...

Lady if it was India, they'd say that they'd be there within 24 hours... after they send someone to verify that the power is really out ... then they'd possibly send someone the next day to attempt to fix it. Without tools or anything.

Then again, you'd be lucky if you were able to get someone to actually commit to fixing it...

Brandee said...

I love it!

MLC said...

SO impressed by your ability to conduct a practical (?) and realistic conversation in the language you are learning without having to resort to NATO, ASEAN, arms control or terrorism. Your teacher deserves a gold star - as do you and your classmate. Very funny entry.

Digger said...

My teacher is a rock star. Every time I talk to folks in other languages, I think about how lucky we are to have her. She is VERY good at teaching language.

Archaeogoddess said...

LOL!

Sadie said...

I can absolutely picture you doing this. and enjoying it greatly. it makes me laugh :-).

Tom said...

there's nothing quite like some random guy in my A-100 suit coming up to you in the FSI parking lot is there? Sorry for frightening you, but you're like a celebrity! =)

Digger said...

No worries Tom!