Don’t Be Such A Dummkopf

I’ve moved to the USA from Germany to start school. I fly in a whole year ahead to travel the country, get to know the place a little, and take up some part-time work.

Since I am a qualified mechanic back in Germany, I got a weekend job at an auto shop. 

As I’m helping a customer diagnose some issues with their car:

Customer: “What accent is that? Are you British?”

Me: “German, actually, although I do try to speak in a neutral accent when I can.”

Customer: “German, eh? You sure you’re qualified to look at my car?”

Me: “You’re asking me, a German, if I am qualified to look at your BMW?”

Customer: “Yeah.”

Me: “I think I’m okay to look at your Bayerische Motoren Werke AG manufactured car.”

Customer: “Don’t be speaking that foreign stuff!”

The manager of the shop comes by.

Manager: “[Customer’s Name]! Stop being an a** to the new guy!”

Customer: “Hey! How do I know they got nice cars in Germany, eh?”