I have wonderful friends from Philippine. And it happens that I have learned some Filipino words. So lately, I decided to practice these words… My plan was just memorizing few words and phrases that would make me shine when needed.
Last night, the work team in a fast food restaurant were from Philippine, and this is what happened:
I greeted the cashier “Magandang gabi”, which means ‘good evening’… With a frown on her face, she doesn’t respond at all… I understand that work load could make us tired by the end of the day…
Finishing my order, I thanked her “Salamat, ikinagagalak kitang makilala”… I was just trying to say nice to meet you. One of her friends then repeated loudly “hmmm, maqilala…”. I could immediately tell that there was something wrong. He approached me, telling me with an angry tone “Sir, what do you expect when you ask to meet my friend?!”
…
It turned out that I was telling her in some way (Due to vowel mistakes): ‘You’re a beautiful lady and I want to meet you!’
Her friends were around…
A policeman was at the corner…
My wife was on a near table…
Don’t worry, I’m still alive! Hehehe
Sometimes meanings are lost in translation! Good thing you were able to work things out. 🙂
Thank you, Morgaine. Learning languages isn’t easy but it’s fun sometimes. As we go there often, they know me and things were fine. I was a little bit exaggerating for the story purposes 🙂
Oooooh, that COULD have been trouble! Glad you’re okay!
Thank you, Jan. I’m okay… and the ladies are fine too. Thanks God that they know me 🙂
Hmmm. I am a Filipino and I don’t see anything wrong with the words you used. I don’t see any vowel mistake as well. I’m assuming ‘they’ are assuming you are hitting on her… which is sad if that’s truly the case. Don’t give up on learning Filipino/Tagalog and keep on practicing! Happy weekend!
Thank you, Pinayhakawati. I’m not sure; discussing this with my Filipino’s friend, she said that the tone of voice and vowels could convey a wrong meaning. Not to mention that your point is somehow valid – they believed in someway that I was harassing her. After all, they know me so this didn’t escalate it 🙂