Si... Taxi

Communication is still my number one struggle. From a business perspective, I'm still learning (everyday) how everyday issues are managed in Italy - which 99% of the time is different - if not vastly different - from the US.

For example.... I worked late tonight. I didn't leave the office until 10:30 pm (I know, I know). In the US there is a "security guard" that would patrol the company premises and keep record of who was working late. Of course, in the US, these types of guards usually work the evening or night shift. Well, Italy doesn't know the term "Night Shift" because everything closes at 7:30pm, except the grocery stores which are open until 9pm. I never thought I would miss walmart this much. Anywho, what I didn't realize is if you work past a certain hour in the Italy office, you end up pissing off the guy who has to wait for everyone to leave before he can go home for the night.... OK... fine. got it.

Understanding that I've already dug myself halfway into the ground with this guy, I pick up the phone to call a taxi (after a certain period at night it is not safe to take the subway). The taxi companies usually can speak enough English to make it an eventful, and usually satisfactory call .. yay! The signore (Mr./Sir/guy) came up to my office to see if I was leaving... Let me take this opportunity to state the fact that he knows zero English. I looked at him, smiled and said, "Si, Parlo taxi"... which translates horribly to "Yes I speak taxi". HA! That was the best I had. But I also pointed to the phone, shook my head up in down (i.e. "yes"), and repeated "taxi" - which by the way is an exact translation for Italian and English. He says, "Taxi per lei?" (Translation: Taxi for you?). I did my whole act one more time for him and finished with, "Si, Taxi".

I walk downstairs and tell the signore - "Due minuti". He says, "Si, Tre minuti". Huh? "No" I say, "due minuti per taxi".... He repeats himself, "Tre minute per lei". Shi.... I mean, Dang it! He did exactly what I tried to prevent. He called a taxi for me too! I walk outside and sure enough - two taxis pull up at the exact same time, one shouting "Gemee" "Gemee" and the other totally pissed because he realized two taxis were called and he clearly was not the winner because he didn't know my Italian name (Gemee) like the other guy did. Unfortunately, the loser taxi man could speak English - so I would have preferred to ride with him, but it was obvious that the one I called wasn't going to go away without a fight. I managed to piss off two Italian men in a matter of 5 minutes after working 14.5 hours.

In reflection of the evening, I just don't care. Sorry.

Va bene.

Now, I need to study my Italian because I have lessons tomorrow and didn't do my homework (poor planning on my part).

Ventuno (Vent oon oh) - 21
Ventidue (Vent -doo ay) - 22
Ventitre (Vent e tray) - 23
Ventiquattro (Vent e qwat troh) - 24
Venticinque (Vent e cheen qweh) - 25
Ventisei (Vent e say) - 26
Ventisette (Vent e set tay) - 27
Ventotto (Vent e oat toe) - 28
Ventinove (Vent e no vay) - 29
Trenta (Train tah) - 30
Quaranta - (Kwar on tah) - 40
Cinquanta (Cheen qwan tah) - 50
Sessanta (Say ssan tah) - 60
Settanta (Set tahn tah) - 70
Ottanta (Oat tahn tah) - 80
Novanta (No vahn tah) - 90
Cento (Cent oh) - 100
Mile (Mee lay) - 1000

Grazie Mile (Grat zee ay Mee lay) - Thanks a million (common expression used)

OH - and I learned how to say "You have the wrong number" :)...
"Ha sbagliato numero" (ah... ss bah glee ah toe... new mer row). Its a toughy, but I practice so I'm ready for when my friend calls me again :).

Ho - "I have"
Hai - "You have"
Ha - "He/she have"

Io - My
Il mio - "Mine"
Tu - You
Il tuo/a - Yours
Lui/Lei - He/ She
Il suo/ La sua - Its [his/hers]

Quando - When
Dove - Where
Quanti - How

Okay - I think that is enough for today :).

Sono molto stanco.
Translation : I am very tired.

Buona notte :)!

Amore a tutti
Translation: Love to everyone!

Ciao,
Jamie