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chris
Lv 7
chris asked in Society & CultureEtiquette · 1 decade ago

Is it bad manners to just nod and smile?

There is a girl cashier at my local convenience store who I see daily. I'm not sure where she is from, but the only thing I can understand is "Hello! How are you?". After that, she may as well be speaking in clicks and whistles like the Bushmen of the Kalahari. I just smile and say something about the weather, and then pray that she doesn't ramble off a few clicks and stand there waiting for a reply. I never offer the usual "What?" (With raised eyebrows) that she must get all the time. I just try to wing it and get the hell out of the store as fast as possible.

So, I was curious about how other people handle these situations. What do you do?

Update:

Ummm, I didn't mean to come off the wrong way here. I have NO interest in this girl. She's half my age and 100% NOT my type. (Even without the clicks. LOL) The reason I see her (Almost) every day is because she is the only cashier in the mornings when I am going to work. It just made me think about it because I feel bad for her. (In High School, I was the 6' tall guy that the runts would hang out with so the stupid jocks didn't pick on them)

Anyway, my story was just an example and I was really looking for experiences rather than advice. Thanks for the answers though.

5 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    I'd do both and make an attempt to speak with her like a normal person. Did you learn english/language on more than a few occasions?

    I am sure your parents didn't just nod or smile when to you when you were a baby a long time ago.

    You have a choice to go to that store and if you are uncomfortable going to that cashier due to her lack of knowledge of the english/your language don't go.

    If you were sincere and wanted to be courteous to this cashier you'd have patience with her and take some time to actually listen. Even if it makes not a bit of sense, listen. Then if there is time ask her to clarify what did she mean by this that or what ever was said.

    good luck.

    6/23/11 - ed~~~~ ok I understand a wee bit better. I've been in situations like that. I am in the medical field and has happened many times. I nod and smile and still talk to them normally and say alot of ok, ok, Im trying to understand, smile some more and tell them ok have a good day. I made an attempt at least as they too have made and attempt. I don't want them to feel like they are less then me and that is how I'd want to be treated if i were in a foreign land.

    That is often my experience with people whom do not speak my native tongue.

    best wishes on your future encounters with the cashier.

  • iSweet
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    I'd probably do the same and hope the transaction doesn't take long. I'd also go to a different convenience store or shop at the supermarket instead. She might get ideas if she sees you daily.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I have to agree with you. If I dont understand a person, when they have my full attention I will do the same thing as you do. What else can you do?

  • ihaveasexyhusband
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    I would explain that I am having trouble understanding her and work on learning how she talks.

    KD

  • trisha t
    1 decade ago

    Tell her that you have 30% hearing loss and you can't hear her very well and maybe she will quit trying to talk to you.

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