Silent Relationships
Only knowing a few words in the entire Czech language, I certainly can’t rely on conversation to communicate with people. I have become quite good at pointing, and I have relied very much on my facial expressions to convey thanks or gratitude. Let’s consider some of the people with whom I have “silent relationships”.
First, there is the cafeteria lady. Every day I walk up to the counter and greet her with my, “Dobry den” (Good day). That, unfortunately, is where it ends. She always hands me my meal with a big smile; I say, “Dekuji” (Thank you), and off I go. One day was different, however. I went up for my meal, and as she was getting my food, she stopped and looked at me, pointed to my earring and said, “Gold!” Well, it didn’t take a genius to figure out she was complimenting me, so I said, “Ano” (Yes) and “Dekuji”. Let me be honest and say my earrings were by no means real gold, but she was trying to pay me a compliment in what little way she could, and to me it was very special.
Then there is the snack bar lady. Once or twice I week I come in the snack bar and point to my standard sandwich and say, “Syr (Cheese) Prosim (Please)”. Unfortunately, it doesn’t rhyme in Czech like it does in English. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to count my money correctly at this snack bar, and she has several times had to grab my attention after I’ve started to walk away so she could give me back my money. I laugh and she does too.
There are also the one-time visits with kind people. On one wintry day I walked into my apartment building, and as I stood waiting for the elevator, a lady said something to me in Czech. I whipped out my slick line, “Nemluvim cesky” (I don’t speak Czech.) It was interesting, because most people simply look away when I say that. She, however, was so cute. She pointed outside, folding her arms together (like when you are cold) and said, “Brrr!!!” Now that is a language I understand! “Ano!” I said, and we laughed.
I remember when I was leaving Prague to go home for Christmas this past December. My suitcase was so heavy, I struggled dragging it all the way from my flat to the airport, which is about an hour’s worth of distance on public transportation, maybe more. I came to a staircase, and panic ran through me as I had no idea how I was going to lift it. Tossing a quick prayer up to heaven, I proceeded to lift my suitcase with both hands, one step at a time, and letting my arms rest with each step. A nice man came along and said something in Czech, grabbed one end of my suitcase, and helped me carry it up. Without him, I don’t think I would have been able to do it. Since I could only say, “Dekuji” instead of “Thank you so much! I couldn’t have done it without you,” or whatever other words I would have been inclined to express, I could only give him an intent look and a big smile to let him know I really appreciated it.
I am glad that smiles and laughter are a universal language. I rely on them to convey gratitude, respect, and appreciation.
First, there is the cafeteria lady. Every day I walk up to the counter and greet her with my, “Dobry den” (Good day). That, unfortunately, is where it ends. She always hands me my meal with a big smile; I say, “Dekuji” (Thank you), and off I go. One day was different, however. I went up for my meal, and as she was getting my food, she stopped and looked at me, pointed to my earring and said, “Gold!” Well, it didn’t take a genius to figure out she was complimenting me, so I said, “Ano” (Yes) and “Dekuji”. Let me be honest and say my earrings were by no means real gold, but she was trying to pay me a compliment in what little way she could, and to me it was very special.
Then there is the snack bar lady. Once or twice I week I come in the snack bar and point to my standard sandwich and say, “Syr (Cheese) Prosim (Please)”. Unfortunately, it doesn’t rhyme in Czech like it does in English. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to count my money correctly at this snack bar, and she has several times had to grab my attention after I’ve started to walk away so she could give me back my money. I laugh and she does too.
There are also the one-time visits with kind people. On one wintry day I walked into my apartment building, and as I stood waiting for the elevator, a lady said something to me in Czech. I whipped out my slick line, “Nemluvim cesky” (I don’t speak Czech.) It was interesting, because most people simply look away when I say that. She, however, was so cute. She pointed outside, folding her arms together (like when you are cold) and said, “Brrr!!!” Now that is a language I understand! “Ano!” I said, and we laughed.
I remember when I was leaving Prague to go home for Christmas this past December. My suitcase was so heavy, I struggled dragging it all the way from my flat to the airport, which is about an hour’s worth of distance on public transportation, maybe more. I came to a staircase, and panic ran through me as I had no idea how I was going to lift it. Tossing a quick prayer up to heaven, I proceeded to lift my suitcase with both hands, one step at a time, and letting my arms rest with each step. A nice man came along and said something in Czech, grabbed one end of my suitcase, and helped me carry it up. Without him, I don’t think I would have been able to do it. Since I could only say, “Dekuji” instead of “Thank you so much! I couldn’t have done it without you,” or whatever other words I would have been inclined to express, I could only give him an intent look and a big smile to let him know I really appreciated it.
I am glad that smiles and laughter are a universal language. I rely on them to convey gratitude, respect, and appreciation.
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