Yeah, I hate the travel delays, the bureaucratic idiots and the bad weather, but there are times when I love this job!

[DFW]

I had to be down here in Barcelona, Catalunya (Spain) for 3 days--heading back up to Düsseldorf tomorrow. I used to live and go to school here when I was a teenager, so I speak both Castilian and Catalan.

The hotel I usually stay at is in the heart of the old town, across from the cathedral. I'm only here maybe twice a year, and just for one to three days. But, I'm their only regular American guest who speaks Catalan, so not only does most of the staff know me, but I get a box of local pastry waiting for me in my room when I arrive. If I'm short of time (and I'm always short of time), there is sort of a touristy tapas place across the plaça that really does have great tapes (tapas in Castilian). Most of the staff is Filipino, and I'm the only white guy who regularly greets them in Tagalog, so I get great service there. This time, there was a new young woman server, bright blond hair, and struggling with both Catalan and Castilian. She knew some English, but wasn't fluent. I asked her where she was from, and she said she was Ukrainian. I then asked her if she'd be more comfortable speaking Russian? BIIIG smile of relief, and attentive like I was a long-lost relative.

Sometimes, there are just those few working trips that remind me why I'm still working at my age. They're still willing to pay me to do this? Bring it on!

[elleng]

1. Sounds like the right place for you!

Spent a few days in Barcelona w family, while on a trip 'around' France, 20? years ago, and found some terrific tapas (of course.)

[DFW]

3. This place does sink deep roots into you in a very short time

I know a guy from New York who got a job representing an American firm in Switzerland. He had a Swiss girlfriend, lived outside of Zürich, was having a great life. Then he had to come down here for some meeting or trade fair or seminar, or whatever, was here maybe five days. He and his girlfriend packed up, looked for an apartment, a residency permit, a work permit, and never looked back. He knew some Spanish (Castilian) from growing up in New York City, and is taking courses in Catalan. He was almost 50, but he said THIS is home, and doesn't want to live anywhere else. I had told him of my time here as a teenager, and he says NOW he understands what I meant. Barcelona is definitely in the top five of my wife's "nice place to visit" list (like Cape Cod and New York City), is always glad to come here, but speaks neither Castilian nor Catalan, and would never feel at home here as I do. Still, she comes down with me at least once or twice a year, and we always enjoy our stay. It's just a two hour flight from where we live, so it's not a huge burden to pop down here on short notice.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. What a great story, my dear DFW! And even better, 'cause it's true!

I am quite sure that she didn't expect you to suggest conversing in Russian! It must have seemed like a miracle.

[DFW]

4. She was obvioulsly having a stressful time keeping up with both locals and the tourists

So, being able to speak Russian with a guest was an immense relief for her. Her big smile was reward enough for me. I could see it "made her day."

[2naSalit]

5. You have the job...

I used to dream of having! Kudos that you found your calling, it still has an energy to it, a sense of fulfillment.

[DFW]

7. Very perceptive assessment.

It's the energy and fulfillment. The money's OK, but governments (USA and Germany) grab over 65% of it between them anyway, so if it were to come to pass that I were to stop feeding them involuntarily, I could probably handle the reduced income. I have some retirement funds stashed away. Let the EU find someone else to underwrite their bureaucrats' huge tax-free pensions and chauffeur-driven limousines. What I would miss most would be the people I work with, and run into.

[gopiscrap]

6. that is so cool

I am from Germany and I remember how pleased I was when I first came to the US and some one knew German. What kindness you bestowed on her you may never know. I too, travel all over the world singing, peaking, teaching and consulting for my work. I always love it when I know just a bit of language to nmake a connection with whom ever, where ever I can Michael

[malthaussen]

8. IIRC, Otto von Bismarch joked that fluency in languages was a useful trait for head waiters...

... but I have always wished I were a polyglot. Bismarck was probably just jealous.

-- Mal

[DFW]

9. Any head of state in Europe these days who knows only one language is a jerk.

This place is way too small to think the earth revolves around their own country (look what happened to Germany after Bsmarck, e.g.). The only major head of state I can think of like that right now is Orbán of Hungary. And of all languages to have for a native language, Hungarian is like nothing else, so a Hungarian who speaks only Hungarian is a nobody without a translator. Even Tony BLair and Boris Johnson spoke French, and Macron's Enlish is impeccable. Even Putin speaks fluent German--which he should since he was high-ranking KGB office in East Germany during the socialist era. I saw the villa where he lived--just a few houses down from a bullet pock marked wall where "inconvenient" prisoners were executed. Merkel spoke some English and passable Russian, having grown up in East Germany, where Russian was the first foreign language taught in school.

One of the reasons I wished Pete Buttigieg were president, aside from his obvious other qualifications, would be that we would FINALLY have a president who would have the linguistic erudition that the vast majority of our allies do. I long for a president who will open a NATO summit with "Also, Freunde, womit wollen wir anfangen?" or "Alors, mes amis, avec quoi voulons nous commencer?"

I want a president who can adress the Diet in Tokyo, opening with "Ohayo gozaimau. O genki desu-ka?" or visit Nairobi, and greet the nation with "Jambo! Mimi nejué Kiswahili kidogo!" Etc. Etc.

Nothing blares respect for another culture more than greeting it in its own language when you are there. I want an American president who will get off the plane for his first official visit to Itlay, get in front of a microphone with cameras from every Italian news organization rolling, and say, "Buon giorno, Italia! Come stiamo? Tutto à posto?"

Just for once, how about NOT strutting the attitude that all any American speaks is American English, and we are completely ignorant of, and uncaring about the cultures of the 200+ countries on this earth that are NOT the USA. After all, that IS all but one! I once mused about an individual major in college involving multiple European languages, and the professor responsible snottily told me "we are not running a school for tour guides." Well, as far as I know, none of the graduates of my university are tour guides, including me, but the languages I learned there helped me into one very cool job that pays well, gives me close to unlimited vacation, and pays for all of my travel. The brief encounter did make clear to me that I also didn't want to be a university professor. I don't thnk I'd want to be president, either, but if I were forced into the position against my will, I'll tell you one thing--the other countries of the world would definitely know that WE know they are out there.

Nem igaz (isn't that so?), Viktor Orbán?

[Hekate]

10. Everything you said

[steve2470]

11. Hey DFW, so glad your job is still rewarding

I hope your wife and family are well !

Steve

[DFW]

12. Hey Steve!

Wife and family hanging in there, thanks!

Job got a little crazy last week--had to suddenly take off for Dallas Tuesday morning, and then leave Friday afternoon back for Düsseldorf, ditch the old clothes, grab some new, run down to southwestern Germany for about 20 hours, then get back up here, so I can be in Sprout City tomorrow. Never a dull moment!!

What's up on your end, aside from trying to dodge the awful news coming from the papers, the radio and TV?

[steve2470]

13. Coping with it as best as possible

My poor older brother worked his butt off for Harris in both GA and FL, so he was really disappointed. Oh, we'll get them in 2026!

My son is now 28, and works as a cook on a cruise ship line on the MS River. He might move to a company servicing wind turbines near RI soon, same kind of job.

All the best to you and your family !

Steve