I’ve noticed something a bit upsetting about myself lately. I’m a liar.
This morning, Guadalupe was here cleaning the house. Lately we have been chatting for a few minutes here and there. I told her my son Adam and his wife Martha were coming to visit tomorrow and she said I must be very happy and we went back and forth like that for a little bit. We’d bought some beautiful gladiolas Sunday at the flower market on our way back from the Open Malecon rally and Guadalupe asked me if my son sent them. I said yes! Why did I do that?
Then this afternoon, Paul had a dentist appointment. Since we had to buy a bunch of heavy things at Sam’s Club, I decided to tag along with him and then we’d shop together after. (Get it? Otherwise I’d have to lug all the heavy stuff…) So I took out my knitting and proceeded to wait. A woman came in a bit early for her appointment and sat down.
We exchanged a few pleasantries and then got into the knitty-gritty of our families, what I was knitting, etc. I did pretty well, and she helped me with a few new words (daughter-in-law is nuera) and told me about her son and the lingerie store he manages. But for some reason when she asked me if it was my first grandchild I said yes! And that’s a lie! Why did I do that?
I think something happens to me when I’m speaking Spanish where I start to nod agreement before I have fully processed what the person said. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just a liar.
(with apologies to The Castaways)
Jonna
October 14, 2008Nope, I do it too. I’m always kind of surprised when i realize I’ve just agreed to something that isn’t true. I do think it is the answer coming out before the brain processes the whole question. Luckily, it has never happened when it was important, which may be part of it, that I only do it when I’m having kind of superficial social conversations and I’m not thinking as much about the answers.
islagringo
October 15, 2008Join the club! I do it too and I’ve noticed B does too. I think we are just nodding our heads, acting like we understand to be polite. Then, BAM! We finish processing what was said to us and realize we just admitted to an untruth. I don’t think it’s being a liar. It’s just being overly polite until it’s too late!
Nancy
October 15, 2008I’m glad that is what it is, I was beginning to wonder about myself.
1st Mate
October 15, 2008Sometimes it’s just easier to nod your head and say “Si.” The Mexicans do it all the time.