June 16, 2005

Stories of the day :-)

I really must begin to take my camera with my to work so that I can take pictures of the interesting people I meet there!
Once again I must declare how much I love my job. The *strangest* incident happened to me earlier this evening. Sometime between 8:30-21 pm I had 1-1,5 hours left of work. I was working alone for the last few hours, and I decided to play some Eyal Golan (Israeli music). A few minutes after I begin playing it the first Israeli visitors of the summer entered my shop! I was so surprised that the first Israelis should come into this little souvenir shop in the "arctic" that sells sheep skins and woolsweaters, exactly as I was playing their very own 'mizrahi' music. I thought it was very bizarre indeed, and so did they. The group consisted of a woman, her young son, and another woman. I had a long conversation with one of the women. She said she's attending a conference on RNA here. She also said that she knows (or is related to, can't remember) Iceland's first lady (who is an Israeli, as I have previously mentioned).

I also had a bunch of weird conversations with tourists today (as I often do). I had a big laugh today when a woman from Minnesota was paying for a painting by an Icelandic artist, and I noticed that her name was "Maria Susanna", like myself! We both laughed and said we had never met anyone with the same name before, although I confessed to having looked it up online.

Then I was utterly insulted by a Swiss guy with incredibly curly hair. I hate when men aren't properly 'trained' in talking to women. I just hate it! I think I shall soon enough post a "How not to insult a woman - a guide for dummies" to my weblog.

Guy: Do you sell stamps?
Maria: Yes
Guy: Do you sell stamps to Switzerland?
Maria: No. Only to other countries (I often say that as a joke to tourists who ask this silly question, but I always correct myself afterwards).
Guy: What?!
Maria: Oh we don't like Switzerland here, all the chocolate and stuff, makes us fat!
Guy: Oh you don't have to worry, you're not that fat.
Maria: NOT THAT FAT?? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Guy: No no that is not what I mean, you're fine, bla blah whatever. Are you offended?
Maria: Yes. You should never tell a woman anything else than that she is perfect!
Guy: You are perfect, really! Is it okay now?
Maria: Sure (not true, of course).
Guy: Okay thank you, bye bye!

*oh and I sold him the stamps, of course :p

Posted by Maria at June 16, 2005 12:22 AM
Comments & Trackbacks

HAHAHAHAHA!!!:D
Poor Swiss guy...he goes to Iceland for vacation, and what does he encounter? The evil shop attendant from hell! ;)

Don't bother to post the guide for dummies on how to treat a woman. Face it - men and women are psychologically incompatible, a fact you'll have to learn to live with. The first couple of months I dated my girlfriend I couldn't tell what color her hair or eyes were or what clothes she were wearing the moment I turned my back to her. Now I at least know the color of her hair and eyes...

Posted by: Torbjörn Karfunkel at June 16, 2005 11:03 AM Permalink

Reading, writing, arithmetic and how to talk so you don't offend a woman.

Posted by: Rachel Ann at June 16, 2005 11:35 AM Permalink

Yeah but Torbjörn you're a real nerd, so maybe you don't count :p

Posted by: Maria at June 16, 2005 12:16 PM Permalink

Torbjörn: It is bad enough without telling it to the whole world!

Posted by: Orly at June 16, 2005 02:27 PM Permalink

Funny that on the day that I am having my comeback on the net, you have a complaint about a Swiss! But honestly, that's how they are, really! I think only the Germans can be worse concerning narrow mindedness and general stupidity. And to think that my baby is going to have a Swiss passport... poor thing! You got me frustrated! And even worse - racist!

Love you lots!

did you get my e-mail? And sms? No worry if you're busy, just hope my stuff got through and that you're not mad at me for not writing more often... if you are, just figure my "Imsosorryface" right now, and please crack up...

Posted by: p-j at June 16, 2005 04:13 PM Permalink

P-J sweety I got them. Sorry for slacking, I'll write soon. Love u.

Posted by: Maria at June 17, 2005 01:52 PM Permalink