Language Mix Ups

As I've been here longer, I try and get around on the motos and tuk tuks more by myself, which then forces me to try and communicate more with the people here.  This often results in a great deal of hand motions and a prayer all the way to my destination hoping the driver understood where I want to go.  The drivers tend to do the whole "smile & nod" thing even when they don't know what you mean, just so you'll hop on and go with them anyways.  I've had some uncertain rides, but so far I have always arrived at my desired destinations.

One thing I find really humorous is my tendency to use any language familiar besides Khmer.  For me, I often find myself using Spanish when speaking to a Khmer person.  I think the turn of events in my brain is something like this (in a typical transportation situation):

Khmer Moto Driver: Moto?!  Moto?! (Shouting towards the 6'2" white guy walking down the street)

Jeremy: (A simple nod & hand gesture saying "Yes, I do need a moto!")

Khmer Moto Driver:  (Either a questioning stare or some jumble of Khmer I don't really understand but is undoubtedly asking "Where would you like to go?")

Jeremy:  Jit Psa Totem Pong (The little Khmer I know saying, "Next to the Russian Market")

Khmer Moto Driver:  (Smiles and nods and turns his bike so I can get on)

Jeremy: (I board the moto, with helmet on of course, and am confident he knows where he is going)

Here is where it starts to get tricky.  There are two ways to get to the market from where I am staying.  I would prefer to go one direction because it leads me closer to my destination.  So let's fast forward to where we get to the fork in the road in which my moto driver can go either direction.

Moto Driver:  (Gestures to the direction I desire to go, as if to ask me, "This way?")

Jeremy's Brain:  This man does not speak English.  He will not really understand my answer in English, but I have forgotten how to say "yes" in Khmer, so I will resort to any other language I know..... Spanish!

Jeremy: Si!

Jeremy's Brain:  Crap!!!  He doesn't understand that either!  How embarassing!

Moto Driver:  (Thoroughly confused at this point and still hesitant as to which way to go)

Jeremy:  Uhhhhh.... ehhhhh.... uhhh...... BOT!!!!

Jeremy's Brain:  That's right!  That's how you say "yes" in Khmer!

Moto Driver:  (Nods and continues on his way, I'm sure thinking "What in God's name did he even just say to me?")


This has definitely happened multiple times and has led to much embarrassment.  Most of the time the Khmer person ignores it, but I'm sure there is stuff going on in their heads!  It has happened with more un-subtle words as well.  Whenever I'm saying something and don't really know the next word, something in Spanish will come out and I will fill in the gaps with the only other language I am fluent in.

I just thought this would be something fun to enlighten you all in as I continue to adjust here in Cambodia.