45 minutes to buy a flashlight…
Hi all,
I heard recently that power outages are not uncommon here in Greece and in Thessaloniki (not uncommon in Jamaica Plain in Boston either), so being the planner that I am, I thought it was prudent to buy flashlights for myself and my staff. I went to a local electronics store owned by two brothers who have names that I can not understand. There I met an assertive customer of theirs, Maria. Maria and the two brothers began talking with me in English that was as bad as my Greek… They asked me to sit with them and talk… they pulled out a huge plastic map of the world and I learned that I am from something that sounds like Bostonia. We discussed U.S. politics that boiled down to Obama Neh! and Bush/McCain Ohe! Or yes to Obama! The conversation ranged from Hitler to extremist Islam and back to where my parents are from. I could pick up names and cognates only, so I’m not sure what I was listening too…
Throughout all of this, the brothers had me sit in a chair. Many customers came and went and continued smiling at each other, talking shop and I was told that I’m a nice boy by Maria, who was maybe 80 years old and spoke halting english.
Eventually, I said Entaksi, which means “ok” and I bought my flashlights. Greeks like to take things slowly…and their pace of life has its merits. I’ve heard culture-shocked students say “I hate how slowly they walk” and “they don’t do anything.” So, you can imagine how buying two simple flashlights can take the better part of an hour.
The funny thing is that I need 4 flashlights. I couldn’t get them to see if they had any more in the back.
I guess I’ll be back for another visit with Maria and the two brothers.