It's funny how much people don't understand that speaking to someone else is amazing. Communicating with someone, with mere sounds coming from one's mouth, is crazy, if you think about it. It's frustrating (obviously) being in a country and not being able to speak the language very well. One big reason that it's frustrating is that you can hardly respond to someone in any situation. It's really hard to be YOU when YOU can express who YOU are.
The thing is, though, there are some amazing people out there who will take the time and work with you. Who will talk slowly or rephrase sentences. Who will repeat something three times for you. Who will ask questions about you and really get to know you. Who will respect you and not look down upon you and think you an idiot, just becuase you can't speak THEIR language.
Next time, when you meet someone who can't speak the language very well, all I ask for you is this: be understanding and help them. If they can't speak well, speak slowly and use simple words. If they need help finding something, show them. If they need a ride, give them one. If they need help in their crazy new culture, show them how you live. It's the things we take for granted, that, if they are taken away from us, we are lost.
Please, don't look down upon someone because they can't speak English. Don't think they are an idiot because they don't know how to use the bus system or can't answer a simple question correctly. Because, right now, that idiot is me. I am so, so, so thankful for those who have taken their time to help and understand me. Next time you run in to someone from a different country who needs help, just think that I am in France hoping for someone to help me in the exact same situation.
"A hero is anyone who has positively impacted someone else's life."
-Samita Mohanasundaram
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