Friday, April 13
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Office, Dr. Vu
I've recently begun to occasionally answer the phone when I think my father is too busy. My Vietnamese listening comprehension is high, but my verbal ability is a patchwork of grunts, yes, no and, if the caller is lucky, nouns.
My greeting translated is "Office, Dr. Vu."
The following are a few conversations thereafter.
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"Am I speaking to Dr. Vu?"
"No. OFFICE, Dr. Vu."
"I'm sorry. Wrong phone number"
She hung up before I could even attempt to explain it was the right number. She must have thought I said, Not office of Dr. Vu.
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"Are you Dr. Vu?"
"No, OFFICE Dr. Vu."
"Can I speak with Dr. Vu."
"No."
Very long expectant pause because I don't know how to explain why he is busy.
And nothing happened next -- nothing verbal at least. I only very gently hung up the phone with my index finger after what seemed like 5 days of climatical silence. He probably expected me to say something all CAPS worthy like "HE'S DELIVERING A BABY WITH HIS BLOODY BARE HANDS AND A KITCHEN BUTTER KNIFE!"
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"Are you Wendy?"
"No." (Do I have a female's voice?)
"Who are you?"
"Ummmm (I'm thinking about how to say secretary, but I'm almost sure they wouldn't understand, instead I settle for something I thought, at the time, resourceful) not-Wendy."
"Who?!?"
"Ummmm Secretary" (but to them, it probably sounded like Sika-tarr-y
"Who?!?!?"
I gently hung up with my index finger.
I guess the only thing you can take from this entry is, wouldn't it be nice to gently hung up on people in real life?
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