English is a foreign language.

So over the past three weeks, Karen and I have encountered more language barriers than either of us ever have here in Germany. Most of the time, it was pretty funny, sometimes, annoying, but it was usually pretty quickly cleared up. I saved some of my favorite quotes, for my own enjoyment, and also to pass them along. Here are a few:

This one has more to do with the fact that apparently I can't hear anything, but still pretty fun.
Whitney: “Have you heard of Chopshop? It’s a tranny clothing store.”
Sean:(blank stare, snickers) “…that’s an appropriate name…”
What was actually asked: “Have you heard of topshop? It’s a trendy clothing store”

This one I enjoyed just because.
“Let’s get it on!” -Philip (a German), attempting to encourage us to go out to another pub.
Sean: (incredulous eyes, blatant laughter)

this one is one of the more typical ones we encountered. It took a good 90 seconds before we could understand each other.
Sean: “Do you have a map of the town?”
Store clerk in Lake District: “Pardon? I don’t understand what you’re asking me.”
Sean (in loud, special English): “A MAP. OF THE TOWN”
Clerk: (blank stare)

another fun one.
Philip: “You really stroked me off!” –trying to tell one of his friends that he had beaten him by some huge margin in Guitar Hero

Some of them don't count, because they're by Germans or Americans, but it was still really funny to encounter language barriers in a place that supposedly speaks the same language you do.