Friday, December 19, 2008

Frohe Weihnachten!

(This is what Walker thinks of Christmas =))

Frohe Weihnachten!--that means Merry Christmas in German. We went to the T-mobile store downtown to change our "handy" plan and try to save a little money. There were lines in the little store. There always are, and you never know if your salesperson speaks english until you ask so sometimes you end up fumbling through a conversation in German. Languages aren't my strong point. I can speak them, but I have a heck of a time understanding them.

Yesterday we had a beautiful young woman. Long dark hair. Long eyelashes. I wondered in my head why she was working in the handy store when she could have ruled the world.

"Sprechen sie Englisch?"
"Ja, I speak some."

On with the conversation about adding internet to the phone. Or at least e-mail and blackberry messanger. four euro ninety-five. Awesome. On we continue. Both our phones done. All set.

"Danke and happy holidays," I say.
"Tschüss. Frohe Weihnachten!"

For a second as we left the store I translated in my head. Then it occured to me that she'd said Merry Christmas. I looked at my husband and told him how thankful I was to be in this awesome country where people can still say Merry Christmas. It was wonderful.

On another note I found "mahogany" hallmark cards today in the store. While I am no means a bigot or racist, I was floored. If someone made a brand of cards called "caucasion" or "someother term meaning white," there would be an uproar. I just found it odd and slightly offensive. I will probably be yelled at by someone for that. Well opinions do seem to cause trouble occasionally.

2 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas, to you! Is it snowing in Germany. OMGoodness. We have 7 inches of snow here, so far today and we are expected to get up to a foot! The kids are in hog heaven!

    Are you doing okay being away from family for Christmas? It probably doesn't help much, but I'm sending you hugs from the US with a very joyful, "Merry Christmas!" to you and yours!

    Love, Amy

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  2. Merry Christmas to you as well! It has snowed a couple times where we live but it hasn't stuck for very long. We're planning on driving down to the Alps to get our fix of snow. =D I like to think of it as my first "grown up" Christmas. Where I don't wake up and go to church with my parents. I have a life and family of my own. It helps me keep it in perspective. Thank you for your well wishes and joyful greetings!

    Love Mary

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