New immigrants always have many difficulties with language.
Generally, when people go shopping, they need not say any words. They just need to pay. That is enough.
I read a story about difficulties with language in a newspaper recently.
A woman who was an immigrant wanted to buy new clothes for her daughter. In a department store, she found an article of clothing. She was quite satisfied with it. But she wasn’t sure if it was for girls or boys. While she was hesitating, a handsome young clerk passed by.
The shopper asked him, "Is this for boys or girls?" The young man replied, "Unisex."
The shopper heard, "You need sex?"
She was surprised.
The young man thought she hadn’t heard him clearly, so he repeated, "Unisex."
The woman felt that this was sexual harassment, so she complained to a manager.
The manager listened very carefully to explanations from both sides - from the woman and from his clerk. The manager knew what had happened and he explained patiently to the woman.
He told her that "Unisex" means one type which can be used by both males or females. After this explanation, the shopper understood the mistake she had made. Then she said she was sorry to the young man.
Actually, I never knew the word "Unisex" until I read this story.
1 comment:
Learning From The Live
New immigrants always meet many difficulties on languages.
Generally people go shopping, they need not say any words. They just know to pay. It is all right.
I read a story about difficulties on languages from a newspaper recently.
A woman who was an immigrant wanted to buy new clothes for her daughter. In a department store, she found a dress which she was quite satisfied on it. But she didn't make sure it is for girls or boys. When she was hesitating, A clerk who is a handsome young man just passsed by. She asked him: "Is it for boys or girls ?" The young man replied: "Unisex". She heard that he said "You need sex?" She felt surprising. The young man thought she didn't hear clearly, then he repeated again: "Unisex". She felt it was sexual harassment. So she complained to a manager.
The manager listened very carefullyto the speeches of both sides from the woman and his clerk. He knew what was happened and he explained patiently to the moman. He told her that "Unisex" means one type which can be used by both male and female. After explanation, she understood that was a misunderstand she made. Then she said sorry to the young man.
Actually, I never know "Unisex" until reading above story.
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