Thoughts

Quick blog while in the library rushing to do my practical. Had lunch in the union today, a baked potato with cheese and chilli. Weird combination I know but I like it, as much as I like Bailey's with milk and rice with cheese.

Anyway I'd ordered my potato from the middle-aged woman and was queuing up behind a slightly plumpish blonde, when this Oriental-ish guy (who was serving people as well) asked me "Watta you wantt?" and I said politely, "I've been served thanks". He looked puzzled and said "Solly?" and I repeated "I've been served". He cocked his head in bewilderment and I said, "I've been suuuuhhhhhved" with an English accent and he said, "Potato?" "Ahh've bin suhhhved, cheeeuhs." Finally comprehension dawned on him and the blonde in front of me shook her head when he left and turned towards me and clucked her tongue in sympathy with an impish smile. I smiled back, but in my heart I felt a little bad for having made fun of my ethnic fellowman.

It's not his fault he can't really speak or understand English, and it's not his fault that he's helpless here in England. He can probably speak English better than most English people can speak Chinese, but hearing his misplaced, halting accent in a predominantly English country makes me feel bewildered and a little annoyed at him as well, even though I know he can't help the way he looks or speaks. And then I start feeling guilty, but then I can't help the way I feel (the annoyance and the bewilderment, and oh heck it the guilt).

Enough ruminating for now, I'd better get on with my practical.