How Do You Say “I Don’t Speak French” In German?
(I have just started year nine of high school, prior to which we all chose what subjects we wanted to take for the last three years. I select German as my language, but somehow end up in the class with the French teacher I was trying to avoid. She is extremely stern and well known for refusing to listen to students. It should also be noted I’m well known for being impertinent and having a short temper.)
Teacher: *starts waffling about French class*
Me: *raising hand* “Um, excuse me, miss, I th—“
Teacher: *cutting me off* “No! You will not speak until I call on you!”
Me: “Okay, but—“
Teacher: *cutting me off again* “—be silent!”
(At this point I realise she isn’t going to listen so I shrug, put my hand down, and wait. Everyone else is taking notes or has their French books out; I don’t because obviously my book is German. After thirty minutes she finally stops speaking and asks if we have any questions, so I raise my hand.)
Teacher: “What is it now?!”
Me: “Miss, I was trying to tell you my timetable put me in the wrong class, I’m meant to be in German not French.”
Teacher: “Why didn’t you say so?!”
Me: “I tried; you cut me off and told me to be silent.”
(The class giggles.)
Teacher: “You shouldn’t be here!”
Me: “I know. That’s what I was trying to tell you.”
(She got very flustered, found out where I was supposed to go, and sent me on my way, though by now there were only 15 minutes left of my German class. I spent all of it regaling the group about my wasted period, and my German teacher was a very lovely woman who thought it was hilarious.)
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?