Will Be In The Desk Job Forever

(I studied Spanish for five years in school, but I am by no means fluent. One day while working the service desk, I get a Spanish-speaking customer. I decide to practice a little by chatting with him in the language. I want to be a writer, so I tell him this.)

Me: “Quiero ser escritorio.”

(As I say this, I make a “writing“ gesture in the air. The customer smiles and seems to understand. We finish his transaction, and he goes on his way. A few minutes later, I realize that I should have said “quiero ser escritor.“ What I did say actually meant “I want to be a desk.“ I’m sure the customer understood me anyway, but it was embarrassing nonetheless!)