BEFORE GOING ABROAD
we'll learn enough German
to get us through the basics
of politeness and asking for amenities,
so we don't qualify as ugly Americans
>
because I remember the time
I ordered a cafe latte for you
at a chain bookstore
in the Alberto Sordi Mall in Rome
>
and after two sentences of fractured Italian,
the counterperson took pity on me
and answered in English
>
she smiled as she did this,
and I'm guessing she was pleased
that I made the effort
to momentarily take leave
of my native tongue
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