It isn't so easy if you do not speak a language

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A recent post with a word nobody understood because the person using it was not English reminded me of an incident I had while in Iraq. I never could learn Arabic and in Iraq there are also differences from other Arabic speaking countries.You also have to remember that spoken language and hand movements often go together. I was in a market and wanted to buy knitting needles. I had no idea what the Arabic for knitting needles was and was trying to demonstrate by using my hands to explain the act of knitting. The market trader got very angry indeed and I had, it was later explained to me, just confirmed that I cemented the view common in many Arabic countries that all white people are promiscuous. It seems whatever I did with my hands was in Iraqi Arabic, a proposition for sex..... Let's be patient here on Mylot when the wrong word gets used!