Patient, handing me a tiny ceramic pot filled with elaborately beaded miniature trees and butterflies: "For you. Gift. Thank you for everything!"
Me, genuinely touched: "Thank you! That's so kind of you!"
Interpreter: "It's bonsai. Handmade out of beads."
Me: "Oh! Well, that's good because I can't kill it, then. Did you make it yourself?"
Patient, nodding proudly. "For you hit husband."
Me: "Pardon me?"
Patient: "For you throw at husband."
Me: "To throw at my husband?"
Interpreter: "That's what we do in Mexico. Throw stuff at our husbands. You know, pots, pans, whatever is handy."
Me: "Well, good thing this is a small object. It won't inflict more than a minor wound."
Interpreter, curious: "You don't usually throw things at him?"
Me: "Not usually, no."
hahaha! love the title...
Posted by: nicolien | Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 10:55 PM
What a riot!!!!
Posted by: Erica Feunekes | Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 11:25 PM
That's hilarious!
Posted by: The Other Pete | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 05:35 AM
Too funny!
Posted by: Amy Hoogstad | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Ha! Just something else to watch out for.
The word "bonsai" has so many uses. Was at a Japanese restaurant for a, um, business lunch a couple weeks ago and we decided to share a bottle of saki. We didn't know what you say in Japan before you tossed the shots back and the server was not of any help. We settled on "Bonsai!". As you can imagine, this became quite hilarious.
Posted by: Pete | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Now just think.
If you had been given that earlier then you would of had something to throw at Pete when he walked into the hospital, Starbucks in hand.
Now that would have made for a good blog story.
Posted by: celeste | Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 06:28 AM
:giggle:
Posted by: Sheri | Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Hi,
I am new, just discovered your blog and have been reading a bit through your archives. I just want to say that I am Mexican, and have never ever thrown anything at my husband. Also, I don't really know anyone who has. I hope you don't think all Mexicans do this...
Clarification aside, I think it's hilarious!
Posted by: Dynamita | Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Not only do I not think all Mexican women pelt their husbands with household objects, I'm not even sure that particular patient ever had.
With the language barrier it's sometimes difficult to determine what's stated as fact and what's tongue in cheek. Either way, the exchange made me laugh.
Posted by: Martina | Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 01:54 PM