Friday, June 4, 2010

Saying goodbye

 Last week I said goodbye to my German teacher aka paid friend. On one hand I was so glad to be done and on the other hand I really enjoyed our conversations together. Even though she was pretty direct, boarder line rude, condescending etc...she taught me a lot about the language, culture and art. Once I found out we were moving I tried to end our lessons, what was the point. She would hear nothing of it....our last day she tested me verbally on lots of basic things....by then I've lost my will to learn. Oh I know some of you are saying what you had a will to learn ....kinda! I think I convinced my self I was an old dog that couldn't learn a new trick. I certainly was her worst student....we laughed about that!

So we go to say goodbye she extends her hand for a shake, and I go in for the hug! Awkward! I guess I thought we had cross the bridge from formal to friendly.....silly me!

The end of that chapter of my German life.


P.S. She looks in pain trying to smile doesn't she?

34 comments:

Debra said...

You are so funny- I love that you kept up the classes even when you knew you were moving! She was a tough cookie! I think that look is because she's really going to miss you!

Unknown said...

wow you come back so soon!
and again, i love the new header...guess this means NY City here you come?

Sneaker Teacher said...

Haha, I will not miss taking German lessons when I go back to the US. I have been such a bad German student it is embarrassing, but it is hard!

Unknown said...

Yeah, she does look to be in pain. But, you stuck with it and you're coming back to the states with more knowledge of the language than a whole lot of other people. Good for you!!

Barrett said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
###### said...

awww. touched my heart.

Barrett said...

OOPS. I deleted my own comment! What I was saying was that she doesn't look like a hugger and that I hate those awkward moments.

G in Berlin said...

I'm back to my next German class on Monday and absolutely not looking forward to it: it uses all my free time when the kids are in school. But I think you enjoy it even less than I- congratulations on escaping this woman!

Ronda said...

You are so funny! I hope she doesn't read your blog!!
XOXO

lytha said...

shoulda posted the photo of your teacher earlier so your readers could have warned you:

don't try to hug her!

hehhehehe

but really, cool that you did post a photo of the woman i'd imagined so often in my head.

we were in an indian restaurant this week and i was speaking condescendingly of the germans to the restaurant owner (indian).

(ok, to be real here, i was saying how odd it is that everytime you punch a PIN for your debit card, the people turn away as if you're undressing. i tried to tell him that you have to both 1.) steal my PIN and 2.) steal my CARD to actually be a threat. the way they avert themeselves, it's like crime is common here. and it's not.)

he said the thing he likes about the germans is their honesty.

i said, "oh, i know, like, 'your hair looks like SH**!'

that?"

and then i said "wait. don't go. tell us what you think their weakness is."

he said, "their jealousy."

i pondered that a good while. jealousy. of the riches of others. of the upper class, by the lower/middle, i assume.

i see that too.

now, please tell me that the unhuggable chick taught you about dative and genitive. cuz we ex-pats would really like that to haunt you as you abandon us.

*hug*

~lytha

Suzy said...

My mom speaks 4 languages. She said German was the hardest! Followed by English!

Deidra said...

She doesn't look at all as I imagined her!

Maggie May said...

All the goodbyes....... can be painful. Had to laugh at the awkwardness of it.
Glad you are back and can settle to normality again.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Joanna Jenkins said...

I think German would be a very difficult language to learn.... especially from a grouch.

Happy weekend,
jj

Melissa said...

I think I'm a little afraid of her.. I would have kept up with the lessons just to avoid her wrath. :)

Leciawp said...

You're funny! I would have tried to hug too :)

honeypiehorse said...

Funny - my German teachers always set the course, too.

kks said...

now that is too funny....:)
xoxo

Ina in Alaska said...

Buh bye cranky!! Yeah she looks like she is having a tough time getting the smile fired up! But as always I LOVE the scarfs and how stylish you both look. One less thing on your list now!! YAY!!! xoxoxo

Lucy said...

Her eyes are smiling though, so you know it is genuine. Teachers... Most of mine I hated, but there were a few who marked my life. I wonder if they know? So can you speak and write the language?

Susan said...

At least she dresses somewhat stylish... once you're back in the states, you'll laugh about it all... awkward I can imagine to give someone a gentle hug and they extend their hand!!!!! (her loss)!

Claudya Martinez said...

You should have given her a big ol' sloppy kiss.

Nancy C said...

Chin up. You've got a great smile and scarf. She's got something up her butt.

Maude Lynn said...

Doesn't look like much of a hugger!

Angie Muresan said...

Haha. You are funny. I find many Europeans to be condescending, although I was born and raised there. And a vast majority of my friends find my dad to be so too.

Leslie said...

lol ~ My neighbor was German, came over during the war and I remember having conversations with her when later I would have to rethink, Was she purposely being rude. lol She was just very blunt!!!

Sheryl said...

I seem to learn the most from the toughest teachers. You'll be surprised how long you'll remember your German.

Wishing you safe travels back home.

Jeannette StG said...

Oh yeah, German determination to see it through to the end! I laughed because from your story your teacher is so typically German (I am Dutch)!
I lived one year in Berlin because I got married and hubby had his job there.

Oh yes, the handshake can even be done for relatives (considering her age)!
Now we have lived for more than 20 years in Los Angeles (it started with my studies).

Killara girl said...

i'm betting you don't like the german language...ja? it's hard to do anything that goes against your grain. I didn't expect her to be that pretty for such a sourpuss.

Mamí♥Picture said...

Goodbye are so hard to do!!
and yes she sure does looks like she is in pain LOL!

TBM said...

Oh, LOL! Well, I'm sure you'll never forget her ;-)

As Cape Cod Turns said...

I love "paid friend". I would have gone in for a hug too. But then again, Americans seem to be a lot more huggy than Germans.

Unknown said...

Thank goodness this is not a tearful good bye!!!

As you know I am German and I now have lived abroad a long time, but I have to agree, there are a lot of people like that in Germany. But you can find a lot of sweet and kind folks as well...
Perhaps you were not lucky with your "friends". How did you find her?

There is a difference in mentality between the Americans and the Germans. The Germans are way more privat in their friendships, less out in the open air so to speak! The Americans on the other hand are all friendliness but somewhat uncommitting. I have lived here for 17 years now and my true friends are still mostly non Americans. Blame it on the neighborhood, quite posh and wealthy, my neighbors are friendly, but the doors are closed. My Americans friends are the ones who lived abroad for awhile or are married to non Americans. I guess there are gaps which are hard to bridge.
But I admit, I like the living style in America better then in Germany. More relaxed! There is a live and let live attitude, which is harder to come by in Germany!

I always hope the younger generation of Germans, raised with more multiculturalism might get more relaxed as well!

But now your on your way home and life will be as it should be!!!
Hamburgers and all!

XX
Victoria

Mrs4444 said...

haha! Absolutely. As big of a pain that SHE was, I'll bet she's a good teacher--Persistent!