(Mis)Communication

As many of you know, I am a big fan of talking. I like the sound of my own voice and I’m not afraid to admit it. However, being in Thailand, talking has become pretty dang hard. No one understands me and I don’t mean in a melodramatic Simple Plan kind of way, I mean literally no one understands what I’m saying. Haha Yeah at my school very few people speak any English. I pretty much never know what’s going on but I’ve decided that’s overrated. I’m so good at smiling and nodding now. J

My host family doesn’t speak much English either. Pretty much every sentence I say in English causes a 5 minute team discussion in Thai trying to figure what the heck I just said. I get a kick out of it. I’m also getting pro at charades. J I’ve learned the bare necessities of Thai (I’m full, excuse me, I don’t understand, which way, etc) and the incredibly useful random vocab words I learn from teaching (geography, engineer, stagecoach) but I wish I knew a lot more. I’ll keep studying but I’m beginning to realize just how short 3 months is to try and work on a language.

Something that does amaze me is just how patient everyone is. I know that talking to me takes a lot of effort, but people are still so nice and always willing to try. It’s especially hard for them because I talk crazy fast. If you know anyone in my family you understand where I get it. Being here, I’ve learned to slow down quite a bit but when I get with English speakers, I go straight back to my auctioneer speed. I do miss having normal conversations. I also miss being funny as dumb as that sounds. I still think I’m hilarious but apparently I’m much less hilarious if you don’t speak English. I wish I had a laugh track to help people know when I say something funny. I’ll check ebay.

It’s a little hard sometimes too because I meet and work with so many amazing people but I don’t know very much about them because of the communication barrier. I wish I knew their stories but it is pretty cool seeing the way people get around that though. My strategy is mostly just smiling and that’s how a lot of the other student teachers do it to. I feel like on some level we’re still friends, even if we never talk. Kind of a silent friendship. It’s a new thing for me but it’s actually pretty cool. Kids are amazing at this! That’s one of the reasons I love them so much. To them it doesn’t matter if I speak Thai. They just want to play and a smile is more than a strong enough foundation for a solid friendship. It’s pretty much the greatest thing ever!

These pictures are loosely related. I mostly just liked them :)

Jaja and Piay! My little host sister is pretty much pro at the silent communication business

Bia! He's one of the other student teachers. We always smile at each other so I've decided that means we're friends despite our conversations never progressing past "Hello!"

Some of my new friends. :) We were walking around the community reminding people to vote, apparently. Those two little girls held my hands the entire time. The little girl on my right was having the hardest time holding the poster and my hand but she refused to let go of either one. haha So cute

Some more of my new friends. Like I said, speaking is completely unnecessary in their book. Love these kids :)