Lost in translation

I am in a new place with no friends. So I went to this barbeque party in an attempt to make some friends. But the only result of that party is this post, where I will describe a typical international get-together/party here. I have been to a few, and its very interesting how every gathering follows this pattern. The scene is an afternoon barbeque during a warm spring day.

German dude kicks off with the beer. Lets call him Andreas
Andreas: 'Prost' ( German 'cheers')
Everybody: 'Prost. Weißbier is too sour. Augustiner this. Oktoberfest that. My father-in-law's beer blah blah.'
This goes on for 15 minutes. Then

Mexican dude: 'You should try Tequila from Mexico'
Fernando( from Spain, duh): 'Once I had 20 tequila shots'
Hot Chick 1: 'I cant have more than 5' hahaahahaaaa
Andreas : 'Weissbier is ze best'
This goes on for 25 minutes (since all alcohol is now under discussion). Then

Hot Chick 1: (In summer) 'The weather is so nice and warm' (and what you are wearing is what is keeping me here)
(In winter) 'It so so cold…brrrr' (again what you are wearing is the only saving grace)
Fernando: 'In Spain I would be lying on the beach now' (summer and winter)
Andreas : (In winter) 'Anybody got some gluhwein?'
Everybody: 'Winter this. Spring that. Barbeque blah blah'

Cool French stud walks in. 'Hi.. I am George'
Hot Chick 2: 'I can speak some French. Jeblaah blooh' (I am sure that is the end of her french)
George: 'You mean Jeblooh bleeh'
Hot Chick 1 and 2: hahaahahaaaa
Fernando ( who HAS to say something ): 'In Espanyol it is 'barrrriittooo lola''
Hot Chick 2: 'barito' hahaahahaaaa
Fernando: 'no do rrrrrrrrr'
Everybody: 'er' hahaahahaaaa
Someone to me: 'How many languages in India?'
Me: 'Around 20 main. Thousands of dialects'
Everybody : 'Wow. Bavarian dialect this. Austria that. Antartica blah blah'

So those who know atleast two European languages run the show. The French guy is enjoying the most because everyone loves his language. Nobody wants to know any Indian words. Everyone learns two foreign words, only to forget them before they reach home. Meanwhile, Fernando has his arms around Hot Chick 1 and 2 and is clicking a pic to be uploaded on Facebook that evening. And wurst is ready.

Me : 'I dont eat pork.'
George : 'You dont eat 'cow' also right?'
Me: 'No, I eat 'cow''
Andreas: 'Indian curry very spicy'
Me: 'Yeah'
Everybody: 'Wurst this. Pizza that. Bretzel blah blah'

This is what I call culture small-talk. Something which is quite boring when done over and over again. I generally don't enjoy small talk. In fact, I avoid any kind of small talk like the plague. I love hanging out with good friends, talking to them, doing some activity like movies, or sport. I think I am good at big-talk. But meaningless conversation with the 'hi-bye' people is just not my cup of tea. I hate situations like eating with people I dont know well, or bumping into people in the store, or on the way to the loo.

Unfortunately, you have to go through the small-talk to reach the big-talk stage. Which probably is the crux of my inability-to-socialize problem. It is not because I don't try. The introvert in me just isn't helping.

Lets hope the situation changes. Till then,

Prost.

Kindly, happily, lovingly....

Yesterday two things happened that has not left my mind. Both completely different, but both very beautiful. I was leaving the counter after paying for the daily supplies in Lidl, when the person in front of me, who was packing his items, dropped a bottle of nescafe. Before he could finish cursing himself, the cashier ( who was pretty, which goes without saying from here on ), rushed to the spot and cleared the glass pieces and the coffee. And in a jiffy, she went to the coffee section and brought back a new jar of Nescafe, and handed it to the 'now relieved and much happier' man. This was an example of the kindness and politeness of the people here, and though we are used to this now, Ketan and I couldnt resist discussing how the situation would have unfolded if the same thing had happened in India. The greetings to strangers when you enter or leave lifts, the pleasant smiles and sweet 'Halo', 'Bitte schön' or 'Schön Abend' s , always brightens my mood, and is something really remarkable about this place.

The second incident involved a couple, who were fighting in the U-Bahn station. The guy was very loud, and though I didnt understand anything, it was clear that they were having a heated argument. They get into the same compartment as mine, take their places, but dont utter a word. They get off at the next station, and the guy puts his hand forward towards her. She pauses for a second, then holds his hand and they smile. And I couldnt help smiling either. Sometimes I dont understand love, but for me, what I saw, was just lovely.

There is no room for any negative thoughts here. There is too much love and happiness in the air. This space will concentrate on 'feel good' thoughts. I feel very happy nowadays. I think it is because of the summer, and the sunshine, hotness ( pun intended ) , beautiful people (including my friends) and all the games I am playing. Time to change the background color.