Work, Money, Embarrassing and Awkward: Thanks colonialism

Thanks colonialism

By Ouchmayne - 26/07/2022 08:01 - United States

Today, I met one of our donors at a company gala. One guy said he was from Trinidad. He had an accent, so I told him that his English sounded great for someone from a foreign country. He then told me that English is the official language in Trinidad. Don’t think we’re getting funds anymore. FML

I agree, your life sucks 198

You deserved it 1 404

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Same thing different taste

By language barriers - 12/02/2009 07:07 - United States

Today, I was at the airport trying to help a man get to the right terminal. When he finished he turned to tell me "Don't worry, your English is pretty good, considering you're not American". English is my only language. FML

I agree, your life sucks 34 226

You deserved it 5 209

By Salaryman - 15/02/2009 06:21 - Philippines

Today, I was instructed by my boss to welcome the 2 new foreign business partners since I am the only one who could speak their language. When they arrived I greeted them in their language. One of them scratched his head and asked his companion in plain and clear English, "What did he say?" FML

I agree, your life sucks 38 724

You deserved it 4 983

What word was it?

By BigBall - 09/09/2023 20:00 - United States - Los Angeles

Today, a tourist from an English-as-second-language country taught me a new word. In English. FML

I agree, your life sucks 142

You deserved it 684

You can talk, mate

By Anonymous - 30/07/2019 12:07 - United Kingdom - Bristol

Today, a customer asked me if I was English, because I was struggling to understand what he was saying. I said yes. He then called me a liar, and said I must be "one of them Polish immigrants." Oh, and he also had a thick Scottish accent. FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 650

You deserved it 159

Dealbreaker

By Anonymous - 27/03/2022 09:00 - Pakistan - Multan

Today, I was talking online to this guy, and everything was great. He then sent a voice message and his accent was a deal breaker. FML

I agree, your life sucks 264

You deserved it 1 251

By Kayak - 29/12/2013 23:23 - United Kingdom

Today, I was verbally abused by a tourist because neither I nor anyone else in my country can speak "proper English". We're in England - clue's in the name, dipshit. FML

I agree, your life sucks 44 469

You deserved it 4 490

By Brit - 16/12/2011 08:50 - Reserved

Today, two American guys attacked me for not speaking their language. I'm from England, and they said I'm speaking my own language wrong. FML

I agree, your life sucks 42 331

You deserved it 6 854

By Anonymous - 19/03/2009 05:17 - United States

Today, I got a phone call, and the person on the other line started speaking French. I assumed it was my friend since we usually speak French with each other, so I said in French "What do you want, asshole?". It wasn't my friend. It was a representative for the exchange program I'm applying for. FML

I agree, your life sucks 18 016

You deserved it 97 466

By Rmglrsm - 23/06/2016 02:21

Today, at work, I was helping someone who really sounded like she had a Boston accent. So, I asked her where she was from. She has never been out of state. Turns out she has a speech impediment. FML

I agree, your life sucks 12 964

You deserved it 1 784

By NoJob - 24/09/2016 06:41 - United Kingdom - Middlesbrough

Today, I had my first interview. Everything was going well until I made him repeat his name numerous times, as I couldn't understand what he was saying due to his thick accent. FML

I agree, your life sucks 11 027

You deserved it 1 256

Crowned Sataness 12

Tuesday 26 July 2022 18:51

I'm sure he knew you meant no insult. you can't be expected to know the national language for every single country. especially if you're American, where the school system doesn't even teach you your own

RichardPencil 30

Tuesday 26 July 2022 14:13

No more Sugar Trini-daddy? You could have recovered by saying "Those Tobagonians sure suck, am I right?"

Comments

RichardPencil 30

Tuesday 26 July 2022 14:13

No more Sugar Trini-daddy? You could have recovered by saying "Those Tobagonians sure suck, am I right?"

Anderling 32

Tuesday 26 July 2022 16:55

It’s almost as though every single place that speaks English will have its own unique accent based on geography, the surrounding languages and any other languages that are official in that country or something.

sarsuela 28

Tuesday 26 July 2022 17:11

It's almost as though there are hundreds of countries and it is not reasonable to expect one to know all of the official languages or something.

Anderling 32

Wednesday 27 July 2022 8:45

England conquered so much of the planet that there are 55 countries that celebrate their independence from it and many more that are still crown territory. It’s a safer bet to assume that an accent you can’t place as definitively foreign is a native English accent you haven’t heard than to assume it isn’t.