Comments on: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED AT THE SHOPS

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 22:03:14 +0000

WOW, what a funny story! I’m so glad I found this site today!

By: Stephen King

Stephen King — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:29:16 +0000

I remember when John and I were in Thailand, and we were talking to a Thai friend over dinner. His comprehension of English was great, but his actual verbal communication was quite limited.
Anyway, apparently I have an extremely “British” accent and over dinner our friend looked at me and said, “You sound like Helicoptor.”
Helicoptor???? Myself and John were bemused and confused. We asked him to repeat it again, and again, and again, and he was still calling me Helicoptor in his strong Thai accent.
“Do I look like I have rotor blades coming out of my head?” I laughed.
Finally the penny dropped. Our Thai friend said, “You talk like Helicoptor, there is book and film about you in England.
Oh my goodness – he was saying I was like HARRY POTTER.
We laughed til we cried.

By: david

david — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:38:09 +0000

I got a good laugh from your story. I was in the Philippines for the first time and found simliar experiences in Davao as far as how I was treated by just about everyone, not only salespeople. I, too, wondered if this was only because I am a foreigner and my friend who is Filipina agreed that this is likely the case but generally they tend to be friendlier than Americans.

By: Klaus

Klaus — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:21:25 +0000

Hi John,

By: brian

brian — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:16:12 +0000

great post John…..lauged so hard this morning had coffee coming out my nose…….kinda enjoyed it…..

By: rob

rob — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:51:09 +0000

>talk about a red-faced experience! Ignoring the accurate answer to that question, what did you say?

I always start small, then request for the next larger size, hehehe.

I remember when we first had our UK engineering contacts visit us in the Philippines, I had to really listen closely to get a feel for the accent. There was also one time when we watched the British movie ‘Billy Elliott’ with my officemates and I joked to them that I wished there were subtitles so I could understand what the characters were saying.

By: Lea

Lea — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:17:00 +0000

John,

That was funny… talking about lost in translation. This reminds me of my brother’s experience when he went to Cleveland for an international conference. He told one of the guys he needed a bag. The guy was wondering why he needed a bug. 

Oh, and by the way John, it’s the accent too. I agree with what Ems said

By: ems

ems — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:29:22 +0000

i am laughing while i am reading your blog john. it is really funny and you make people laughed. yes filipino are really helpful and they make you always special. foreign people are special for us as long as they are kind. you really make me laughed about the adapter then goes to a doctor that was funny. well, as i can say, you can always say your word very clearly and loud. because even filipino can speak good english but some of us is still learning how to speak english…so…all you have to do guys is speak clearly and loud so that everyone can understand you…well, thats was great then…

By: rick b

rick b — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:25:38 +0000

John

You made me laugh here just hearing it all second hand, being in the malls many times i can imagine it happening very well described

Bob posted (and Klaus) recently about cultural and humour differences and it was an interesting post, this is an example where the delayed punch line (letting the sales staff comprehend the joke) helped rather than hindered

Just a funny story John, good humour and service as well

By: FRANK FEALEY

FRANK FEALEY — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:21:27 +0000

Hi john humour is agreat way to make people feel comfortanle with you.Glad to hear you and Steve have anew place of adode for Xmas.