So Misunderstood

I love Germany. But there are times when I just want something to be easy - to completely understand what's going on and have people completely understand me. (I know. I feel like a 15-year-old, "I'm so misunderstood!") Tonight was one of those times.

First, I have hit my Christmas-break wall. I long for the sweet silence of Monday when the kids go back to school. Today was rainy, grey and cold, and nothing was open. So it was a long day. I really didn't feel like making another meal. So we went to Burger King.

It was crowded since it was the only thing open (that and the gas station). Finally, my turn. I order (to make it easier I'll just write it all in English, even though the girl at the register and I both spoke in mixed English/German.)

"Hello. Kids meal, hamburger with fries and orange juice, please. And the number 3 with fries and a coke."

"The double cheeseburger meal?"

"Yes, 3. And a number 7 with fries and a coke."

It did not occur to me that the total was off, at 21.50Euros. I paid and waited for our food. She was rushing around completing orders, then handed me our drinks. But there were 4 drinks plus an orange juice (that's 2 extra drinks for those of you playing along at home.)

Then I see more bags coming. I realize that when I agreed "Yes, 3." she rang up 3 of the number 3s. Whatever. I've already paid and don't feel like trying to explain that. Just another day in Germany. Now I've got 2 extra double-cheeseburger meals.

But then she says, "We don't have a hamburger. Can I give you a cheeseburger?" That doesn't make sense. How can they offer to give me a cheeseburger, but not a hamburger? So I ask her to repeat. That seems to be what she's saying. So I say "no cheese." But she says it again. I look at Emily, hoping she gets what I am missing. She's blank. People are staring (they're waiting for their orders. They've got nothing better to do, right?) So I say "Okay, whatever" figuring I've misunderstood and the order is already messed up anyway.

So we get home and Vance has a cheeseburger (in addition to Emily's double-cheeseburger meal, plus the other 2 additionala double-cheeseburger meals.), but he wanted a regular burger. She had been telling me there was no burger, could she give me a cheeseburger. I don't even understand how that's possible. Rustle me up a cheeseburger without the cheese. Boom. You've got a hamburger.

That is pretty much how every errand happens here. Even when you get all the words, they don't work out the same. Don't even get me started on the day I got a sweater for Vance at H+M. They were half price, but instead she charged me double and couldn't understand what I was trying to tell her even when pointing at the 50% off on the tag and the original price. That's why its such a victory when you do get through an errand correctly or just slip under the radar and find what you need.

Yeah, it's just been one of those days. Love - Val