My new friend was so upset with me and I had no idea why.
I had joined a new local group of writers. At one of our meetings, we were discussing getting reviews on our books. Reviews are very important in that they help our books get noticed by more people, and that will help our book sales.
One of the ladies in the group had just published a book and she asked, “Does anybody want to read it and give me a review?”
Wanting to be neighborly, I volunteered, “I don’t care to read it.” I expected a “Thank you,” or “I appreciate it.” Instead, she became quite upset.
“If you don’t want to read it, then you don’t have to read it.” She said a few more things, but I don’t remember what they were. I was in a state of shock in that I couldn’t understand why she was so offended. And I was torn between defending myself and finding out why she felt like she did.
Fortunately, one of the other writers realized what was happening. She explained to the upset lady that I wanted to help by reviewing her book and that was the term used in this area. That’s when we both realized she had misunderstood what I said. In her mind, I was saying, “I don’t want to, but I will if that’s what you want.”
Why did she get that wrong impression? She was originally from upstate New York. Recently she had retired and moved to our wonderful area. So, she had yet to learn our local and colorful colloquialisms (unique sayings.) We bonded over our misunderstanding and we have joked about it several times. I even helped her with southern terms for one of her books.
That wasn’t my first experience with somebody who wasn’t from the Southeast. In the fifth grade, a girl from Maryland joined our class. I will never forget the day she asked me, “What does yonder mean?” Even though I had spoken that word my whole life, I had no idea how to answer her. I shrugged and said, “You know, yonder as in, ‘Over Yonder.’”
“There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.” 1 Corinthians:14:10 (KJV)
As humans, we’ve not shared one language since the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9.) Nonetheless, we are all made in His image and Jesus died for each one of us. So, treat each language and culture with respect and have patience with others who are learning ours. And if you are traveling to a different region or country, research their culture before you leave.
By the way, I do think ‘Howdy’ is understood everywhere, so we’re good.