How was your meetings (accidentally) with some foreigners?
By Juliyan23
@Juliyan23 (600)
Indonesia
September 12, 2012 6:34am CST
I must say - IT WAS SO HILARIOUS.
I admit that I'm not good active English. I meant I don't speak English fluently and I have a trouble on listening to English conversation . So there were a couple who walked down on a street and stopped by to ask me a question about direction to their hotel . Instead of giving a right direction, I gave them a direction to a gorge near to us . They - which had known I was giving a wrong turn - just smiled and tried to focus on my hand which was giving them the right direction (it seemed they tried so hard to ignore my words 
)
And a couple months ago I was on bus station , an exchange student from Germany was on a queue , he was right behind me . He saw a brochure of bus direction which was sticked on a wall behind my back and started humming . I didn't realize that was his way to break the ice between us until he looked like giving up and started directly asked some question to me and we were chatting for a while , he was so friendly and hospitable . But because of the accent - I was bit confuse about what he was saying actually . But I tried to be seemed understand - because sooner or later I would understand what he was saying (and I did! it always happens 
) . But unfortunately - I forgot to ask his email . I lost contact with him 
So , that was my accidentally meeting with some foreigners .. How about your experiences?
)
And a couple months ago I was on bus station , an exchange student from Germany was on a queue , he was right behind me . He saw a brochure of bus direction which was sticked on a wall behind my back and started humming . I didn't realize that was his way to break the ice between us until he looked like giving up and started directly asked some question to me and we were chatting for a while , he was so friendly and hospitable . But because of the accent - I was bit confuse about what he was saying actually . But I tried to be seemed understand - because sooner or later I would understand what he was saying (and I did! it always happens ) . But unfortunately - I forgot to ask his email . I lost contact with him
So , that was my accidentally meeting with some foreigners .. How about your experiences?4 people like this
15 responses
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
I usually communicate with foreigners because the nature of my work, so I'm a little used to them. It is pretty hard to understand a difficult accent. I remember one time, I was in a teleconference with my Project Manager and a few clients (key people to our project). They all had different accents, it was so difficult. My PM had this Indian-Singaporean accent. One of the clients had an Australian accent. Another had an Australian-German accent. And another had a (bad) Filipino Accent.
My mind was ready to blow up!
I also had this experience when my family and I went to Hong Kong. We were eating in this restaurant and the waitress wasn't really that good in English. My mum pointed at a dish in the nearby table and said she wanted that. It looked like fried chicken, and they had fried chicken on the menu. So my mum pointed and said 2 fried chicken. The waitress said, okay 2 Tah and 2 fried chicken. My mum just said yes, but all my experience hearing these foreign accents (and talking to people from HK) is telling me that "Tah" is something else. Not fried chicken. So I cleared it up. The waitress tried to explain what a "Tah" is. Made gestures and sounds. It was really funny (but exasperating during that time). I figured out she was saying "DUCK"! We had a good laugh about it!
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
13 Sep 12
OMG this was so hilarious
I was wondering what Tah was - I thought it would be some weird foods , and it was duck! hahaha..
It reminds me so much about running man - it is a Korean variety show. There are 2 members who always cross their hands when they get a mission while yell something that makes me 
: PILL - CHOKE - CLOSE . I wasn't sure if it was actually I heard about, there aren't subtitle availabe when they speak of those words .
Then I searched on some forum talking about that show , there were some missunderstanding too in there and a member was making it straight by saying the actual words yelled by them was FEEL - TOUCH - CROSS
I was wondering what Tah was - I thought it would be some weird foods , and it was duck! hahaha..
It reminds me so much about running man - it is a Korean variety show. There are 2 members who always cross their hands when they get a mission while yell something that makes me : PILL - CHOKE - CLOSE . I wasn't sure if it was actually I heard about, there aren't subtitle availabe when they speak of those words .
Then I searched on some forum talking about that show , there were some missunderstanding too in there and a member was making it straight by saying the actual words yelled by them was FEEL - TOUCH - CROSS 1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
Actually it's the accent that gives me trouble when it comes to communicating with other foreign people.
I don't have any problem with English speaking people thu sometimes when they speak too fast then I'll be lost.
I have trouble speaking with other Asians when they speak English using their native accents- that's where the problem starts and yes, funny things happened.
@michillii (3)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
Yes I agree with you girl..that my problem also..sometimes i talk to the malaysian or Indonesian people and it's hard to understand what they saying..
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
13 Sep 12
Ah yes - there would be some misunderstanding even between two native speakers . I'm an Indonesian but I found that hard for me to understand Indonesian and Malaysian when they are talking by English - sometimes 
Well, Jaiho, I also have a problem when people speaking with English and they start speaking too fast or when they are harping on one string which makes me hard to figure out the actual point - then I'll be lost
Well, Jaiho, I also have a problem when people speaking with English and they start speaking too fast or when they are harping on one string which makes me hard to figure out the actual point - then I'll be lost 
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
Ah I see.. I think foreigners are ubiquitous at your places - well, if they don't work in there - it must be tourists area, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
When I was still a student, whenever a foreigner would approached us for directions, my friends would always point at me. My British friend told me I sound like an American, Americans told me I sound a little bit British. So i don't know which is which.
I don't have problems with listening to native English speakers be it British, American or Australian accent. I got used to them for I had once taught IELTS to some Asian students.
I have difficulty listening to Asian speaking in English though because of their accent.
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
You must be a best student in English class before
Yeah - I found that I could easily listen to British, Ameran or Australian too. But beside I have difficulty listening to Asian either, I found that Germany had a grumbling-like accent that made me hard to understand too
Yeah - I found that I could easily listen to British, Ameran or Australian too. But beside I have difficulty listening to Asian either, I found that Germany had a grumbling-like accent that made me hard to understand too 
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
12 Sep 12
I live in a country full of foreigners, I think there are more foreigners where I live as dutch people so I am used to it. Used to the fact they have other habits and most of the time not very willing to speak dutch. Dutch people try to speak every language so I guess it's our mistake as well. I also travel a lot and meet foreigners everywhere. To be honest I like them more as the people of my own country I mostly try to avoid them.
2 people like this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
13 Sep 12
Hi WakeUpKitty
Actually I do admit that foreigners in here are more welcome than average people of my own country too. I found that I could talk easily and feel comfortable to foreigners. The foreigners didn't differ us as a rich ones or a poor ones , they talk to many people here. You know what I mean, rite?
Actually I do admit that foreigners in here are more welcome than average people of my own country too. I found that I could talk easily and feel comfortable to foreigners. The foreigners didn't differ us as a rich ones or a poor ones , they talk to many people here. You know what I mean, rite? 
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
13 Sep 12
I was behind this Indian lady in a Jakarta shop when I heard her asking some questions to the sales girl in English. The girl tried her best to understand and answer her customer but I could tell right away that the conversation was not going anywhere. Having understand a little bit of Indonesian, I ended up interpreting for them...
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
Ohh
I have seen a scene like that .. So what have you intrepreted from both of them ?
I have seen a scene like that .. So what have you intrepreted from both of them ?1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
14 Sep 12
The Indian lady was asking where she could find a specific item, but the sales girl was having a hard time understanding the question. So, I asked her: "Dimana tempat permen berbentuk ular?". Then I told the Indian lady to follow the girl because she will show her exactly where she put the snake-shaped candy in that shop...
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
wow , IMHO you are good at Indonesian. I bet you have been here for several times, rite?
Well, I think it is bit ashamed that Jakarta ,the second place being foreigners spot, doesn't have enough workers who be able to speak English fluently . Meanwhile the language is utterly important to promote their shops . Nice to know that you know Indonesian Language 
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
12 Sep 12
My home country has people with many different accents. The funny accents are from Birmingham and Liverpool. I was always found a very broad Scottish. My friend's mom had come from Glasgow and it was hard to understand what she was saying.
I was talking to a European man that was learning English and he was in Australia. He asked me what does "How are you going?" mean. I told him it was the Australian way to ask how are you. He wondered what "mate" meant and I told him it was the Australian for friend. He had a hard time following an Australian person's word as they spoke so quickly.
I had been working in Finland and other foreigners had been working in that and other jobs. At the end of the international program we met up. My mother tongue language is English. English had to be the common language of all of us. The foreigners spoke English at different standards. Some were advanced and a few were novice. There weren't any beginners. I made friends with a man from Germany and a lady from the Netherlands.
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
13 Sep 12
I haven't heard any kinds of British accent , I only heard some from movie (I heard it a lot from Harry Potter) and from BBC Channel . And I must say that I'm too fond of British accent!
And I'm curious how Birmingham and Liverpool accent sound
I ever met an Australian too , my and some of my friends were having a school project to interview some tourists at Prambanan Temple . He talked so quickly and we were lost , fortunately he brought a tour guide
In Finland? They speak Finnish and Sweden, rite? It's good to have a job that you could meet other people from around the world . I wish I could get a job like that somday
I ever met an Australian too , my and some of my friends were having a school project to interview some tourists at Prambanan Temple . He talked so quickly and we were lost , fortunately he brought a tour guide
In Finland? They speak Finnish and Sweden, rite? It's good to have a job that you could meet other people from around the world . I wish I could get a job like that somday 
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
13 Sep 12
Mine isn't about accidentally meeting them. I actually came across foreign students in the class I was teaching several times. Most were Koreans, Americans, Indonesians and occasional Europeans. I would usually find it difficult to understand them at first but sooner after several times in class, and a lot of keen listening skills, I would understand them.
The best compliment I got was from one of my foreign students when he approached me one time and told me that I was really great with the English language. He understood all my discussions with ease and had no problem with how I pronounced words. He said that my voice was loud and clear. It made me smile.
Anyhow, for the "accidentally" meeting. There was one time when I didn't know that the client would be accompanied by a foreign person and when they came over, I felt I panicked and wasn't "natural" for the first few minutes of the discussion. But when I felt comfortable after a few minutes, it was smooth. But heck, I felt like my English words escaped me that instant! hehe.. Thank God they didn't notice.
Have a great mylot experience ahead!
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
Good for you !
Yes, you are rite. We need to get use to it if we want to be good at it. It is must be so amusing to teach the students from all over the world, rite?
Yup, the confident is great to recall the "escaping words" when we are panicked . I guess I need to interact more with foreigners to be able speak English fluently 
Yes, you are rite. We need to get use to it if we want to be good at it. It is must be so amusing to teach the students from all over the world, rite?
Yup, the confident is great to recall the "escaping words" when we are panicked . I guess I need to interact more with foreigners to be able speak English fluently 
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
12 Sep 12
I meta foreigner that speak Spanish and was in the city trying to get some where so he wanted to get somewhere and no one was understanding him . I speak little Spanish so I could see he was lost and I introduce myself to him and let my mother talk to him since she speaks Spanish fluently . I never though much of keeping in touch with him , I just wanted to help and be on my way .
I met lots of foreigner and I am mostly the foreigner away from home so I got that a lot, the people not knowing exactly what your saying .
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
Where are you living at, Silverfox09? I saw your profile , it said that you are from Jamaica, rite? Are you living in there or you are originally born in there?
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
It is really difficult to understand any English word if you are speaking with people who are from a different country. The accents and pronunciation of words could hardly be understood. I have also an experience with that. I met a foreigner in a mall and also, he was asking instructions on how to go to a place. At first, I could barely understand the word he was saying. I wanted to help him, so I asked him to write down which place he wanted to go. And then I understood him. Good thing he knows ho to write in English coz if he shows me Chinese characters on the people, how in the world can i be able to help him?
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
LOL
Fortunately he could write the right spelling . I found that spelling of English words written by Malaysian same as the pronounciation . My sister has a classmate and she is a Malaysian - sometimes my sister gets confuse on what she wrote on the notes
Fortunately he could write the right spelling . I found that spelling of English words written by Malaysian same as the pronounciation . My sister has a classmate and she is a Malaysian - sometimes my sister gets confuse on what she wrote on the notes 
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
12 Nov 12
hi,
i could say that i really hate an impromptu conversation to a foreigner because i don't know if my grammar would be correct or not,because i have an experienced when i was in college,two foreigner asked on how to go to Makati from SM manila,of course i need to answer them and i did but after that i asked my self if my grammar was correct.
@bhabycatch013 (9150)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
hi juliyan,
So far I don't have a hard encounter with them because I use sign language if I can't understand them
happy mylotting
happy mylotting
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
13 Sep 12
Hi Bhabycatch013
LOL - Yes I think the sign language is more universal one and it solves many problems between the people who speak different language
LOL - Yes I think the sign language is more universal one and it solves many problems between the people who speak different language 
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
12 Sep 12
That was years ago, when I'm not used in dealing with foreigners, particularly English natives. There was this American lady asking for directions, it was spontaneous, I pretend to be mute person, and so I make sign language. I find this funny back then , but now, I find it embarrassing. This served as a lesson to me that I need to express myself, be confident, not to be nervous when being asked.
I think, I'm better now and I want to expose myself with foreigners to know more about their language through interaction with them.
Thanks
1 person likes this
@Juliyan23 (600)
• Indonesia
14 Sep 12
Well - sometimes we just couldn't control ourself for some spontaneous scenes ,rite? Just like we were in a blank moment until we realized that the words were sneaking out and we were too panic to recall them back 
It's good that we have something that made us more aware - It helps us to understand what we really need in the next time, rite? I hope I could speak fluently and be good listener too
It's good that we have something that made us more aware - It helps us to understand what we really need in the next time, rite? I hope I could speak fluently and be good listener too 
@prakashsahni (185)
• India
18 Sep 12
I HAVEN'T MET OR HAVE A CONVO WITH A FOREIGNER YET. But once in my trip to eastern India I met a girl who was saying something I do not know from what country she belonged but I really did understand what she said. This is because (she might be from Europe or Americas) she was talking in hindi. And she was good at it. So she speak a few lines and I got it right as she was speaking in my mother tounge. I don't know but she must have learnt it somewhere.
And I don't know this either if I could understand her if she spoke to me in English or any other language.
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
18 Sep 12
your english is good..it will motivate you and me that Mylot is succesfully changes our english ability..maybe it`s not same with many journalist in Metro Teve maybe, but we should be confident that we can speak english...
I ever make some discussion with foreigner when there are english class by my germany lecturer..He and his wife (phillipines female) make conversation class for our department..thanks to God,iam one of the conversation class..
the class was in 2 or 3 weeks, i really forgot it...
in the conversation class, 3 times of foreigner comes as special guest in our class..actually our lecturer and his wife are foreigner too but the lecturer can speak Indonesian language..
The first guest is coming from germany..both of them are couple..
the second guest is netherland female.30 years old...she wants to visit Tanah Toraja, 8 hours ago from makassar..
and the last guest is from Everton, if iam not wrong she is still 18 years old..
The hard and difficult when conversating with them is Everton girl..of course because it`s her language...
My friend in that class always offer me the first questioner for that foreigner...
it will be good for our mentality when we speak to foreign..
Don`t be nervous...
