Lost in the Translation

The cat had a follow up appointment with the vet today at the clinic in Uncas, which is not far from where we live. I have been there and wasn’t worried about getting back, but I did clarify directions with my husband this morning, just to make sure we would get there on time.

“So, I take the road just past Carlie’s (our babysitter) and follow it ‘til just past the school and take the first left.”

Having received an affirmative from Rob, that is exactly the way I went. I took the first road past the road where we turn to go to the sitter’s house and followed it. Until I hit the wilderness centre and realized I was not where I should be. Thus the message on Rob’s work voicemail. When I did get a hold of him, he managed to confirm that my guess about where to go to get back on the right road was correct, and when we spoke after the vet appointment, he pointed out that what he had heard me ask was not what I was actually saying. He thought I meant “should I take the road that goes right past Carlie’s actual home”. Funny, because I thought we both spoke English. There are just enough differences in the way we use words whether the meaning or the pronunciation that can still cause miscommunication for time to time.

Rob remarked that my message to him sounded “tense” which is his understated way of saying I was just short of blowing and was fairly pissed off. And I was. I hate to be lost almost as much as I hate being hugged by total strangers or people I dislike or, frankly, anyone if I haven’t made any moves to initiate or reciprocate. I have always been able to find places again once I have been there but I am a landmarks person and honestly, when you live in a rural area landmarks can literally look the same from one range road to the next. I am not an expert on trees and such. One group of them looks pretty much like another. This is where my husband would wax poetically about the supremacy of road signs and maps. He is the ultimate Virgo.

So today’s “let that be a lesson to us all” is not to assume you are understood. And, of course, not to freak out when you are not.