A Sheet Understanding Of Languages

(An elderly customer comes in with a manila folder filled with paper.)

Me: “Hello! Can I help you?”

Customer: “Yes, I need copy of… How do you say?”

(It’s clear English isn’t his first language, so I get closer to listen.)

Me: “What was that?”

Customer: “Do you say…’piece of paper?’ or ‘sheet of paper?'”

Me: “You can use either of them. Both are okay.”

(The customer seems to understand, and hands me a sheet from the folder.)

Customer: “This. I need five pieces of sheet.”