Mar 14 2008
They must be talkin’ about me…
A few days ago, I went into a local oriental beauty supply store and inquired about the cost of a flat iron. The price blew me away so without hesitation I asked for a less expensive pair; the next ones were only cheaper by a few dollars. By then I must have had, “the look”, on my face so the man behind the counter uttered something, in what I assumed was Korean, to a man standing next to him. They laughed, but how do I know it wasn’t at me?
Can you say PARANOID! My natural human instinct told me that he was saying something rude about me and for the first time I truly realized how it must feel when non-Spanish speaking women go to Dominican salons and hear the stylists conversing in their native tongue. At first, I couldn’t relate being fully fluent in Spanish but now, I see the situation from a different perspective. How can we bridge the verbal gap? Many Dominican stylist speak and understand English very well so let’s meet them halfway by trying to learn a lil’ Español (Spanish).
I came up with a few words/phrases that might come in handy during your salon visit. Now, I’m no linguist, so excuse the phonetic spellings in parentheses – that’s how it sounds in my head. Lol
Lesson #1
1.) I want……yo quiero (yo-kee-air-row)
2.) I like…..me gusta (may-goose-ta)
3.) thank you …..gracias (gras-ee-as)
4.) cut a little…cortame un poquito (coor-tah-oon-po-ki-toe)
5.) just a little….no mucho (no-moo-cho)
6.) natural….natural (na-too-ral)
7.) treatment….tratamiento (tra-ta-me-in-toe)
8.) how much…cuanto es (kwan-toe-ess)
9.) please…por favor (poor-fa-voor)
More lessons to come! Let me know if there is any word/phrase in particular you would find helpful on your next visit to the Dominican salon.
Gracias Chaka!!
Thank you for your wonderful post and Thank you for understanding!!
Mi espanol es muy poco y muy mal!!
Even though I can understand much, I am embarassed to use it in public.
I’m working on it..so i’m way down with the meeting the stylist and other latinas in general half way!!
De nada! Understanding it is a great start. If you think about it, in general, babies understand language before they speak it. Keep trying and the more you use it the better you’ll get. Don’t be afraid of pronouncing things wrong or not having an authentic accent. The truth is, if you let most Spanish speakers know you’re trying to learn they’ll be more than understanding. If you have any questions feel free to ask me anytime.
LOL. This is funny. I’m not fluent in Spanish but I understand quite a bit (having been married….and soon to be divorced from….a Spanish speaking man).
The unfortunate truth is, when there is someone around who doesn’t speak your language, your naturally inclined to talk about them, good or bad.
I’m Igbo and but with one American parent and born and raised here, so my Igbo is not that good. I can’t tell you how many times my cousins or friends have wished I spoke and understood the language more fluently, just so we could talk about passers-by, people at a party, people in the elevator…lol! Yup, human nature.
People who speak English talk about people. So what’s a gal to do? Brush up on your Spanish and your Korean (nail salon) and call it a day.
Before the Seinfield episode did it, I took one of my Korean roomates from UMCP with me to a popular nail salon at PG Plaza….we walked in separately and sure enough the women were talking about us, but another friend from school walked in and acknowledged us and we were busted, after that the place went quiet!
Jennifer - what you need to do is teach us some cuss words gal! Ha ha ha !! Teach us some of the bad things like:
-Her hair is nappy - sapelo es mucho duro??? (IDK)
-She has a lot of split ends….why is she refusing to let me cut it?
-She needs a touch up bad?
-She has bad hair?
-That’s an ugly top
-Those are ugly shoes
-She looks a mess
-Hot Tranny Mess (Stolen from Project Runway…I had to add this for comedic flare)
-I don’t like her attitude.
-I can speak Spanish and I understand what your saying
-I heard that!!!
And so on….teach us how to say those things Jen…then we’ll be square…. to start.
I go to Claudia’s and I know they all speak English and I speak what little Spanish I know so they are too skeptical to try it….but once they did…..and I shot them a look and everything went …quiet. te he he he he…..Body language sometimes says more than the actual thing when it comes to communicating.
LMBO!!! OMG, Chi you are CRAZY!!!
I see what you’re saying about understanding the negative things the stylists might say….but in all honesty: what are you going to do if you hear in Spanish “she has a lot of split ends?” or “she looks a mess?”
I think if anyone surprised their stylist with a little bit of Spanish (even if only for greeting purposes) she would be less inclined to say anything negative for the fear that you would understand or simply because you’re less inclined to talk about someone who has greeted you. :–)
I’m not Chaka….but don’t hold your breathe on Chaka teaching us any curse words. lol
I am rolling on the floor laughing! Chi you are funny. Nice to meet you. I know exactly what you mean. I in particular want to learn Korean so bad if only just to see the looks on their faces when I start talking to them. I don’t know why I feel the need to always know what they’re saying. I bet that was the best feeling ever when you took you friend to the nail shop with you. I would’ve paid to watch that. HAHAHAHAH! Unfortunately we have to keep the blog PG so, Foul Language 101 has to be postponed for now. ; )
I don’t know….do you think it may be hard to tell from context clues and body language what dominican stylists are talking about? Latin women do tend to talk very loud and use excessive amounts of gestures to get their point across. I’m guilty.
Jennifer that is so true if someone comes to me speaking Spanish from jump, I assume they know it all. It is a saftey measure. When you say what are you going to do if your stylist starts talkin’ about your split ends, do you mean will you beat them down? HA! That’s crazy but, I’m sure it’s been done. I have to admit I’m guilty of the Spanish trash talkin’ LOL. I’ll try to stop. This has nothing to do with the subject but, did yo know that sign language is different in Spanish too? That’s crazy huh?
Nice to meet you too Chaka.
What? Different sign language?? That doesn’t even make sense….or maybe I’m not thinking of it the right way….school me someone….I’m headed to google to understand this.
Jen, Chaka - I always greet in Spanish but you know they lose me when they try to start having a conversation with me and then I’m found out and exposed! D’oh!
I wouldn’t want to say anything back about split ends because I believe hair needs to be healthy all the time…so snip away. But you know some people hate to get their hair trimmed. Give us some PG stuff though Chaka….every little bit helps.
LOL. What I meant was English sign language has different signs than Spanish sign language. The hand signs for the same words are different. It’s not all universal. And about the greeting thing. Girl, I feel you! That is just what happens. hahaha. Okay, some PG stuf….
What did you say? Que dijiste (kay-dee-hee-stay)
You talkin’ about me? Estas hablando de mi? (es-tahs-ah-blahn-doe-day-me)
What are you talkin’ about? De que tu hablas? (Day-kay-too-ob-loss)
Stop being rude! No me faltas respecto! (no-may-fall-toss-re-speh-toe)
Okay so I’m the worst phonetic speller in the world. Hey Jennifer. Ayudame! (Help me!)
Hey. I’m so glad you are giving tips on communicating to a stylist. I literally was wishing I knew how to communicate with my stylist. I want to know how to request specific things.
Few Examples :
-Relaxer….
-Wash
-rollerset
-cut in Layers
-I want to keep my length, so cut a little bit
-My hair grows uneven
-Can you apply more conditioner?
-I have a lot of breakage in the back, What should I use?
-How can I prevent…
-What is a good product….
Whatever else you can add is very helpful. You are the bomb.
(don’t worry about spelling) What you are doing is very helpful
I love this website. I am learning Spanish now, so I can better communicate with my Latino sisters. Using Rosetta Stone. I am so amazed at how large my vocabulary is coming. I am still at the baby stage though, so often feel a little nervous speaking to someone fluent in Spanish. I still think people should learn the language of the country they are living in, but I also want to put my best effort to communicate with others. I speak a little French, but am not around as many French people. Since there are so many Hispanic/Latino people in my community I feel I should learn the language. Also I have several spanish speaking friends and I want to really surprise them when they see me this summer (at a church camp meeting) and I can speak spanish with them. Keep up the good work - THIS SITE IS GREAT!
Is it possible for the stylists at the Dominican Salon to meet us half way? As the child of immigrants from Haiti (on the other side of Dominican Republic), my parents spoke English in a heavy accent but at least they tried.
It seems as if the stylists don’t even make an attempt to learn English. My stylist wears all the latest fashions and when I asked her a simple question. “Where did you get those boots from?” She didn’t understand. It gets a little annoying.
Maybe she tried to act like she didn’t understand b/c she didn’t want to tell me. LOL. I am hoping that’s the case.
That’s great Carole. As they say, “use it or you lose it”. Try to listen to some Spanish music or watch a few novelas (spanish soap opera). Believe me it helps. Don’t be afraid to speak. Believe it or not not all Spanish speakers are using imperfect grammar themselves. With Rosetta Stone you are learning proper Spanish not just the spanglish or Spanish slang the natives normally speak. Keep up the good work!
(Check out April’s latest entry titled. Enough about me for the response to Heveanly’s question.)
Dine, I truly feel you on that. Many Hispanic people don’t try. It’s not true for all of them though. It’s funny some of my friends and family in Puerto Rico are just the opposite. They try a little too hard to speak English, it’s ironic. Not to make excuses but, maybe they just want to preserve their culture because it can be so easily lost here or maybe you’re right about her not wantin’ you to bite her style. j/k
LOL! Maybe I’ll try that next time. hahaha
Growing up bi-racial (black/white) in California it was hard for my white mother to find babysitters for us and only hispanic women would watch us, so I grew up hearing and understanding Spanish but not speaking it. When I greet a Spanish speaking person I say “Hola or Bueno” (Depending on the region CA, WA, OR or TX) quickly followed with ‘Comprende espanol y no muy pequito halba espanol” (I understand Spanish, but speak very very little Spanish) So I don’t get lost in what is said to me.
I truly find it enjoyable and funny when the guys try to make passes at me and I act like I have no clue what they are saying and when they are done. I thank them in Spanish. LOL
That is so much fun Chelle. It always shocks the guys.
Omg….this blog is hitting the nail on the head for me…..my problem is the reverse though- because I am a black, people don’t expect me to speak spanish so when i laugh at jokes or look like wth? They all get that deer caught in the headlights look on their faces! When I need a service I ask in English just to see how I will be treated and for the most part it is very courteous BUT it is very business like. When they found out I was Half-cuban and fluently spoke Spanish, they were bochinando (gossiping) my ears off! lol That is a lil disappointing especially when WE ALL ARE PAYING OUR MONEY! I know it is easier to stay in our comfort zones but to be honest, we all have to spend time together in the salon why not try to learn something about each other!! The salon is a great way to let off some steam, make new friends, and look fabulous at the same time!
I totally feel you Keka. I get the same thing. Somebody must’ve told somebody that all Puerto ricans have to look like J-lo. And girrl, esa nena aun no sabe hablar la idioma (she doesn’t even speak the language). LOL. I guess as long as you look the part it’s all good. :-/
Lol….Ya tu sabes! (You already know)- Well, that is here in Michigan but in Nueva Yorlllllllllllllllllllll…… yo soy dominicana- they never say cuban!! It’s all good– somos familia!
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