Lost In No Translation, Part 6
At a bookshop I frequent, they pride themselves in having a large selection of books in other languages, but obviously, there are limits. One day, as I am browsing, I overhear this conversation.
Customer: “Hi. I’m looking for [YouTuber]’s book but translated into Albanian. Do you have any?”
Bookseller: “I don’t think we have it — or that it exists at all — but I can try to look.”
Customer: “I’m sure it exists. I saw it on [Website], and it said it was available in Albanian.”
Bookseller: “Then I’ll look it up and place an order for it.”
A little later, I go to the till. I see the bookseller furiously typing away and then sighing resignedly.
Bookseller: “I am sorry, madam, but that book isn’t translated into Albanian, or into any language; it’s only in Italian.”
Customer: “How’s that possible? [YouTuber] is popular in Albania, too. They must’ve translated it for sure!”
Bookseller: *Turns the monitor* “You’re free to take a look.”
The customer looks at the screen in icy silence for a long while and then stomps her feet before shuffling out.
Customer: “F****** [YouTuber], not wanting to pay for an Albanian translation…”
Related:
Lost In No Translation, Part 5
Lost In No Translation, Part 4
Lost In No Translation, Part 3
Lost In No Translation, Part 2
Lost In No Translation
Question of the Week
What is the absolute most stupid thing you’ve heard a customer say?