Lack of Communication an Advantage

[english grammar man]

Not Knowing the Local Language

At times, living overseas and not knowing the local language can certainly have its benefits.

Last weekend I had a big night out drinking, and took the first train home at about 5am in the morning. As I sat down in the train, within minutes I was out snoring! My intoxicated state probably didn't help either.

When I finally came to it and sobered up, it was 3 hours later. I was now in some country town after having changed 3 trains and riding each train to the very end stop.

On my return trip to suburbia, the ticket inspector came asking to see everyone's tickets.

I politely showed him my ticket which didn't cover my fare. He asked for more money, but my wallet was practically empty. He was speaking in Korean and I was speaking in English. Within a few minutes, I suppose he was just fed up and left me to return to my miseries.

So there you have it, a lack of communication in a foreign country can indeed be of benefit at times.

There are many other incidents I know of foreigners rorting the system and just playing dumb when and if ever caught. Not that I condone this type of stuff though.

Carlos J.Md.
(English Instructor - Pusan, Korea)