Another epiphany...
Apr. 23rd, 2007 09:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alexpgpGalina and had an appointment this morning with a financial planner, and our session went over by a few minutes, causing the next client to have to wait. As we came out of the office, I murmered an apology to the gentleman in the waiting area, and he said it was not a problem. Galina picked up on his Hispanic accent and echoed my sentiments, adding "How do you say 'I'm sorry' in Spanish?" directed at me, to which I replied "Lo siento."
This led to a short conversation where Galina actually used some of the beginning phrases she had heard on the Coffee Break Spanish podcasts that I've been feeding her, and we chatted a bit with the gentleman (and, as it turns out, our financial planner, who also speaks Spanish). I took the opportunity to ask about one of the first phrases introduced in the Coffee Break Spanish sessions, "¿Qué tal?"
Was this a more casual way of saying, essentially, ¿Cómo está Usted? Yes, it was, came the reply. I then wondered why (aside from simplicity) would one want to teach someone the casual expression instead of something more formal, when meeting strangers, for example.
The man looked at me for a couple of beats, and said "But I'd never ask such a question of someone I've just met."
Pop!
You see, we Anglophones are wired, so to speak, by the customs and history of the language to ask this question at the outset of meeting a person.
We say, "How do you do?"
Since this is actually a greeting and not an actual question to which an answer is expected, there is typically either no reply or a curt, "Fine, thank you."
This is something that distinguishes Russians from Americans. Ask an American how he is, and chances are, the reply will be "Fine," even if said individual has acquired a body cast since you last met (a subject I touched upon - using almost the same words, as it turns out - here). Ask a Russian how he is, and you'll get an answer! (Galina recalled how, back when we lived in New York in the days before children, I landed a one-shot gig interpreting at a 7th Avenue fashion show, where - while I worked - Galina had the opportunity to chat with Elsa Klensch, who apparently, after a few moments, gently informed my bride that "How do you do?" was a greeting, not a question.)
And so, as they say, it goes.
Cheers...
This led to a short conversation where Galina actually used some of the beginning phrases she had heard on the Coffee Break Spanish podcasts that I've been feeding her, and we chatted a bit with the gentleman (and, as it turns out, our financial planner, who also speaks Spanish). I took the opportunity to ask about one of the first phrases introduced in the Coffee Break Spanish sessions, "¿Qué tal?"
Was this a more casual way of saying, essentially, ¿Cómo está Usted? Yes, it was, came the reply. I then wondered why (aside from simplicity) would one want to teach someone the casual expression instead of something more formal, when meeting strangers, for example.
The man looked at me for a couple of beats, and said "But I'd never ask such a question of someone I've just met."
Pop!
You see, we Anglophones are wired, so to speak, by the customs and history of the language to ask this question at the outset of meeting a person.
We say, "How do you do?"
Since this is actually a greeting and not an actual question to which an answer is expected, there is typically either no reply or a curt, "Fine, thank you."
This is something that distinguishes Russians from Americans. Ask an American how he is, and chances are, the reply will be "Fine," even if said individual has acquired a body cast since you last met (a subject I touched upon - using almost the same words, as it turns out - here). Ask a Russian how he is, and you'll get an answer! (Galina recalled how, back when we lived in New York in the days before children, I landed a one-shot gig interpreting at a 7th Avenue fashion show, where - while I worked - Galina had the opportunity to chat with Elsa Klensch, who apparently, after a few moments, gently informed my bride that "How do you do?" was a greeting, not a question.)
And so, as they say, it goes.
Cheers...
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no subject
Date: 2008-05-13 01:56 pm (UTC)And, yes, in Russia a question «How do you do?» mean whole long answer with news from last meeting :) If you answer just «Okey, everything is fine» you can make your friend discontent because it means you do not like to share your news and some secrets with him :)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-13 08:55 pm (UTC)What I understand the phrase to mean is a couple of "beats" in the rhythm of what's going on, which is to say neither the time it takes for the heart to beat nor for the eye to blink, but a gap in the "rhythm" of the conversation. Musical beats, if you will.
Hope this helps. Thanks for the confirmation.
Cheers...