My Somone-talking-about-you-doesn’t-know-you-understand-them moment
It’s a normal day on site. I walk into the control room, stand behind my workstation and get busy. Behind me, an operator, a nice gentleman I torment occasionally, is chatting with a lady I don’t recognize. I’m not listening, but they’re close enough for me to hear every word.
So, I’m scrolling through screens, minding my own business when the lady blurts out:
“Na wei )y3 )baa anaa barima?”
(Is this a woman or a man?)
Man. I don’t need to be told she’s talking about me.
The guy starts to stutter, because of the awkwardness and, I suspect, he’s thinking the same thing I’m thinking:
She knows I can hear her. They’re right behind me. Why did she not whisper her inquiry?
See, on this site, there were a number of nationalities, including Nigerian & South African. A couple of people on site have mistaken me for either of these. Apparently, I don’t look Ghanaian.
We both realize what has happened.
I laugh. He laughs.
“Herh,” he says, still laughing ” )te twi oo,” (She understands Twi.)
“Ei!” I can only imagine the look on her face.
I try to stifle my laughter, in order not to worsen how she must be feeling, but I can’t help it. I do wait until she’s gone before I turn around.
It wasn’t the first time someone commented on my ‘masculine traits’. But definitely the first time someone talked about me assuming I couldn’t understand them. It was fun.
Whats my point? Don’t talk about people behind their back.
If you just can’t help it, turn your volume down to a minimum, and be absolutely sure your victim does not speak Twi. 😁
Image: @ Mt. Fuji in 2016
