LOST IN TRANSLATION: Random things that have come up

-        I still have no clue what side of the sidewalk is the appropriate side to walk on à some say left, but when I’m on campus I feel like I am being run over either way

-       Using the words black, white, and colored is completely acceptable à it is just like saying someone has blonde or brown hair

-       Personal space or what we would consider “being too friendly” is acceptable, but it is also what makes most of us feel most uncomfortable.

-       Some people will give you the politically correct version of the Apartheid and the politics behind the Townships (this is the case with the majority of people I have met,) but some have very strong negative opinions about how people are lazy and wont move into the government funded housing because they don’t want to pay the small amount of rent – and I believe it is important we hear this side too. This relates to an article we read in one of my social welfare classes called “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” This article discussed students going over seas trying to “fix” 3^rd world countries but really causing more harm than good or providing help for those who don’t need or want it.

-       Jenny, the Place of Hope Manager, made a good point that at the end of the day our goal as social workers should be to be out of a job – meaning a world of peace wouldn’t need social services. Sadly the reality is more and more people are turning to social services every year.

-       The majority of cars here are stick shift so it is not surprising to see stalled cars in the middle of intersections – we have been that car

-       Some people equate race with wealth and our ability to be here makes us seem like rich snobs with American accidents- this has been an issue at some of our sites, people not appreciating us there because they think we are rich white kids trying to change the world

-       Band-Aid = plaster .. A boy in my preschool was bleeding and I had to ask 3 different women before someone understood that the boy was bleeding and needed a “plaster”

-       Traffic Lights = Robots

-       Pancakes = Flap Jacks

-       ICED COFFEE DOES NOT EXIST.. If you ask for it you will get a milkshake, so we have learned to just ask for regular black coffee and bring it home and add ice

-       Turn Signal = Indicator

-       French Fries = chips

-       Chips = Crisps

-       Stroller = Pram