How to purchase a light bulb from a non-English speaker’s shop

Twist on light bulb

Screw on light bulb

I had an experience recently when purchasing a light bulb at a shop owned by a Pakistani who speaks very little English. Not only was I left amused, but I was equipped with some invaluable cross-cultural communication lessons which I am proud to advise you about today.

When I told him that I wanted a light bulb, he wanted to know which type. I told him that I wanted the clip-on type with the two small pins sticking out on top. All the while, I wondered why he was making weird gestures with his hands. After walking for a hundred metres or so, I realised that he had sold me the screw-on type of bulb with threads as opposed to the pin type that I had asked for.

He was clearly disappointed in me and wanted to know why I had not explained properly which type I wanted: “My friend, I ask you if you wanting dis type (sticking forefingers against the side of his head to represent the clip-on pins), or if you wantimg dis type (twisting his hand as if to screw on a light bulb into its socket). You said you are want this one (again twisting his head). That is when it dawned on me. The weird gestures had been his own brand of sign language and when I had answered that I wanted the clip-on, pin-type, it coincided with his gesture for a screw-on bulb.

The morale of the story is this; always use as much sign language as you can when dealing in transactions that involve people who speak a different language from you. Be on the constant look out for their sign language as well, lest like me, you miss out on the fact that two fingers sticking out the side of the head represent a two pinned light bulb!

Did you enjoy this post? If you did please leave a comment below and use one of the sharing buttons to share it with your friends!