Fun conversations I’ve had in Mongolian lately.
Scene the First: lunchtime, waiting for Katie to meet me outside a cafe. Two older Mongolian gentlemen are chatting together on a bench nearby. One, clearly tipsy, wanders over to me.
Mongolian Gentleman: Hey, see that guy over there? [pointing to his friend] He’s a good guy.Me: …Okay.MG: You’re a good guy.Me: Thanks.MG: [to his friend] Hey, he said “thanks”! Hahaha! [to me] Where do you work?Me: [pointing vaguely in my office's direction] I work there. And…what do you do?MG: I’m about to take a bus to the city. That guy…that guy’s a good guy.Me: …MG: I’m a good guy. The three of us are good guys.Me: Yes, we’re three good guys.MG: Hahahahaha!Me: Okay, I have to go now. My wife is coming.
Scene the Second: the vegetable market.
Me: How much are these?Lady selling green onions: 1000 tugrugs for a bunch or 1500 by weight. [I don't understand the last part.]Me: Sorry, what’s 1500?LSGO: [points to the scale] 1500 if you want to get a different amount.Me: Oh, okay. I’ll take one of these bunches.LSGO: My child*, do you need a bag?Me: No, that’s okay, I have a bag. [I start fumbling around with several bags of vegetables that I already bought.]LSGO: Here, grandma will help you. [Grandma helps me.]Me: Thanks!
*It’s common to address people you don’t know as “my younger brother/sister” or “older brother/sister” but I don’t hear “my child” very often. Maybe I don’t hang out with old Mongolians often enough.
Scene(s) the Third: out on the street, every few weeks or so.
Kid: [to friend] Hey, a Russian person!Me: Not a Russian person. An American person.Kids: [reaction 1: hysterical or nervous giggling; reaction 2: dropped jaw]
Scene the Fourth: the customs office at the post office. This one is a composite of my many visits to pick up a care package from my parents or in-laws.
Me: Hello!Customs Lady [a mid-50s, mirthless woman in a militaristic uniform]: …Me: Where can I put this? [gesturing to USPS box]CL: [points to a chair]CL: What’s in it?Me: [misunderstanding the question, which in most contexts means "What's up?"] Oh, nothing.CL: …Me: Umm…[pointing to customs list] there are magazines.CL: Heh?Me: Uh…magazines?CL: WHAT?Me: [attempt to pronounce the word a couple other ways]CL: What kind of magazines?Me: What kind? [why is she asking this?] OH! Not bad magazines! Haha…ha?CL: What else.Me: Face lotion.CL: Are you going to sell it?Me: No, it’s for my wife.CL: Hmmph. What else.Me: [oh jeez, how do I say 'cookie cutters' in Mongolian?] …CL: [seeing my panic] Take it.Me: We’re done?CL: …Me: Thanks!
