OldePhart
Well-known member
I don't ordinarily "adopt" other cultures for many reasons, not the least of which is the fear of making an arse of myself. So, I'm the last guy you'll hear saying "aloha" or "mahalo" or what have you - it just seems unnatural coming from me, a middle-aged white redneck who spent one summer in Hawaii at the age of nine.
But, today, being silly as I was leaving work for the last time this year I said "Mele Kalikimaka" on my way out the door - as expected one of my coworkers finally couldn't stand it and asked, "Okay, so what the heck..." just as I got to the door of the classroom we're using for testing.
What surprised me is when one of my other coworkers, a born and bred Texan about my age, walked in the door and he'd obviously heard both of us because he answered for me, "Merry Christmas in Hawaiian." I was a little surprised he knew that. Turns out his mother was half-Hawaiian and raised in the islands.
At least now I know I pronounced it correctly... LOL
John
But, today, being silly as I was leaving work for the last time this year I said "Mele Kalikimaka" on my way out the door - as expected one of my coworkers finally couldn't stand it and asked, "Okay, so what the heck..." just as I got to the door of the classroom we're using for testing.
What surprised me is when one of my other coworkers, a born and bred Texan about my age, walked in the door and he'd obviously heard both of us because he answered for me, "Merry Christmas in Hawaiian." I was a little surprised he knew that. Turns out his mother was half-Hawaiian and raised in the islands.
At least now I know I pronounced it correctly... LOL
John