English as a Second Language…

I am not sure why this topic came into my mind; as things stand, I am happy to be able to open my mind to subjects other than the one which has kept it painfully occupied during these past days.

Perhaps because this is something I have dealt with for several years; perhaps because this morning I was able to go back and continue a “hobby” class that takes place a couple of mornings per week. The fact is, I thought about it when the computer opened to its customary blank page.  It has been over 30 years since I stood for the first time before a group of people from different countries and different walks of life and tried to understand what they were expressing, as well as trying to begin the long process of having them understand me. In that first class there were two students from France, one from Italy, two from Japan and one from Russia. The classroom was a small room in a converted apartment on a 4^th floor, on East 46^th Street in Manhattan.

It was truly an eclectic group and one which was the source of much fun and cultural enlightenment for all. There were picnic trips to Bear Mountain Park, where each would bring something typical to the communal pot. On one outing, we had cheese, bread and wine from, of course, our French student, rice balls and chicken bits from our Japanese guys, a bowl of pasta salad from Italy and an actually good boar meat pie, made by the mother of our Russian fellow. Not bad, huh?.

As it turned out, one of the two Japanese students was a chef at a local restaurant, not too far from the school, and during the course of the classes we became friends of a sort; he was always very curious about not only the US, but also about Cuba. And I returned his curiosity about his home country, one of the countries in which I have always been very interested.  After we finished the course of the classes, he had actually develop enough language ability to communicate on a basic level (there were no grammar or written classes, the focus was on sounds and the ability to communicate orally) and he was very happy about his progress.

As a way to say “thank you” he invited my then wife and I to join him at the restaurant where he worked for a full course Japanese meal. He was really “only” a chef’s first assistant, and I am sure the costs of this dinner were fully charged against him; it was his way of saying thanks to a couple of folks (my then wife always came to all the outings) who had been a part of his introduction to the US. It was a rainy night in Manhattan; one of those early fall nights when everyone in his right mind is curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine or a hot chocolate, watching TV or listening to music while reading … like that mental image, right? … me too … and we lived in Connecticut, about 45 minutes away. We almost cancelled but, in the end, decided to go since the preparations for such a dinner would have been started much earlier in the day.

When we arrived and were announced, he came out in his full regalia (no Benihana trickery here!!) and escorted us to their “6 tatami room”, the second largest in the house and where normally up to 6-8 people would be seated. He had reserved this for us. A tatami is the roll up bamboo carpet which in the older, traditional Japan served as bed and also defined the boundaries of personal space and was always carried as part of the belongings of any the traveler. Rooms were then measured by how many tatamis fit in and anything larger than a 4 tatami room was considered big, in any country home. We were seated, and he personally brought every dish, seating with us to explain what it was while we savored it.

I can tell you the fish looked like it was still alive, the soups were incredible and the arrangements of every single dish were out of this world. The visual introduction of any dish was amazing in texture and color, as well as subtle flavors… we wanted to save each one as a decoration, but in the end ate every single piece… What an experience!! We had seven courses, including soups and dessert. All accompanied by different kinds of warm sake… depending on the particular dish it might be drier or slightly sweeter. By the end of the night we were truly impressed by what we received. Not only by the actual food and the incredible personal service;  but the intimate gesture of friendship extended by this young man who simply wanted to say “thanks” and who wanted to do it expressing the pride he felt in his country and traditions. I have not seen him again; but this night was never forgotten.

There have been other classes and other groups along the way. Including the one that now occupies a couple of mornings a week. They all have had something in common: the deep desire to be able to get ahead in this society of ours, to be able to work, raise their children and partake of what this beautiful and great country can best offer: an opportunity. When you see someone who perhaps does not speak English as clearly or a well as you may, think about how would you fare if the sides were swapped: you are in a strange country and culture, trying to learn to deal with different issues every day, while attempting to communicate with others in a language you can’t quite understand yet. It would not be easy, would it?

Think about this the next time someone speaks with an accent, or does something which you might see as strange; remember this person may actually be doing something that she or he interprets as being good …  During my classes I usually tell the students to learn to listen and to think through a “filter”; this will allow them to see or appreciate a little more what is around and how to communicate.

I will say the same thing to you, my dear reader … we live in a social community which no longer is only composed of those who were born and raised I this country. Each individual brings something of his or her culture into the general pot, and this truly does nothing but raise the value, flavor and aroma of the stew that is cooking. Learn to listen and to receive these experiences with a “filter’. This is nothing more than accepting that, while someone or something may be a little different, it does not necessarily mean that it is bad.

Don’t be afraid to be open to others; don’t be afraid to talk, share and learn from  those who have come from different places and who are incredibly curious about who we are and what we do; as you learn from them, they are also learning from you at the same time. This can only enhance your experiences in this life, because getting to know other cultures and other ideas will greatly expand your thought and behavior patterns for the better.

Be well … Be Back!!

Final Notes:

• Pray for those who are fighting an illness which may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and counts!!
• Any comments please send to otherboxp@yahoo.com; it comes directly to me. I promise to read all coming messages, and answer as many as I can.
• Remember:  We will be back “On Air” every Sunday night at 6:30pm EST (GT –5hrs).  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theotherbox

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(last week we did not go “on air” … we’ll be back this week)