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My communication pattern is very different from that in Vienna. Or simply: I talk less! There is no business conversation, no after work wine sipping chats, no phone sessions at night. Here, in the mornings, my first complete sentence is often formed at Duboce Park Café: „One single cappuccino, please“. – However, America is the country of ultra-friendly, standardized shopping language. And as a customer, one is actually prompted to respond in many ways: „yes, thanks“ – „no, thanks“ – „It’s to go“. That gives opportunity to communicate, also for those like me, who browse the city without company. So, which words were spoken today, in my little anonymous life abroad? Below is a list of the questions I was asked today. It incluses an eating scenery (lunch), one coffee trip, and some store hopping downtown.
- Which size, honey? (Ordering a sandwich for pick-up)
- With everything? (same scenery)
- For here or to go? (Buying a coffee at Duboce Park Café)
- How are you doing today? (Asked about 25 times today when entering the store)
- Credit or Debit? (Paying for earrings at H&M)
- Do you find everything alright? (Browsing far too expensive summer dresses at Nordstrom)
- Do you want to buy a second shirt for only 10 Dollar? (buying a t-shirt at American Eagle)
- Do you want to save 20% with a membership card of Barnes & Noble? (buying the new book of Armistead Maupin: „Michael Tolliver lives“)
- Do you want to have coupons instead for your next purchase at any Barnes & Noble? (same guy, not giving up)
So, basically, the words I have spoken today, were those:
- Medium, please
- Yes, please
- For here, please
- Fine, thanks (25 times)
- Credit
- Yes, thanks
- No, thanks
- No, thanks, I am not a resident
- No, thanks
After all, this is not so bad, is it?
