Da
I had a friend over yesterday to take baby pictures. What I didn’t know is that there was a communication problem; she’s from the Ukraine and English is her second language. So I figured she’d be coming with the new baby and her two children. When I opened the door, I found her standing there in full make-up with her three children, her husband, and her parents (who speak NO English).
My first thought: CENSORED.
L & I have talked at great length about the differences in American and Ukrainian culture. She was raised with a deep sense of family, something that I can respect and relate to. But the way she communicates with her parents is a little different than the way I communicate with mine. Apparently it is acceptable in their culture to speak very loudly at one another. I stop short of calling it “yelling,” simply because I didn’t understand exactly they were saying to one another.
But the decibel level was definitely higher than I’m accustomed to.
So here I am, in my own home, with what appears to be a family meltdown; children screaming, toddlers climbing, mothers arguing, and in the middle of this chaos stands my easily excitable daughter.
Quick side story: anytime the dog barks, it startles her, and her first reaction is one that is learned behavior (learned from her mother, naturally.) So when Bear breaks out with a sharp bark, Alex immediately lets out a small yelp, turns with a very serious face and points her finger authoritatively at the dog, “SHUT UP, BUBBY!”
So I was extremely thankful that L’s family did not understand English, because as soon as their voices reached a certain level, out came the finger.
“SHUT UP, NICK NICK AMPA! HUSH HUSH NOW!”
NickNick’s father (an ex-Marine) cracked up. “I’ve been thinking that for the past five years!” he laughed.