Lost in Translation (part II)

A pretty funny event stemming from my lack of Portuguese:

Desperately in need of some self-maintenance, I emailed my 3 saviors here, Ines, Ines and Rita, to ask them about a good, cheap place to get a manicure and a wax (both of which are really cheap here, btw.  They don't even shave their legs with razors, they just wax everything for about 18 euro).    Being the helpful friends that they are, they all emailed back with suggestions, offering to make appointments for me. 

The very next day, I arrive at what I think is my manicure appointment with Ines.  She makes me an appointment with a lovely woman named Natalia who is Czech and speaks Portuguese, French, and Italian while I am confined to English and Spanish.  Ines introduces us, translating what shape I want my nails, what color, etc, and then leaves to shower saying she will pick me up in half an hour.  All good.

Natalia leads me to a room.  I sit on the bed and hold my hands out.  She looks at me confused and motions for me to take off my pants.  "hmm...this is a weird manicure.  Do they do them in a robe here?"  I wonder, but nonetheless follow her directions and take off my pants.  I sit back down and hold out my nails again.   Again, she looks at me confused and motions for me to take off more.   As it hits me, I crack up laughing and even say outloud, "Oh!  I'm getting a wax too.  Haha, okay."

It doesn't end here, though.  There was one word that we both understood: 'todo' which means 'all'.   Natalia said something like blah blah blah, todo?  Thinking she said, "would you like it all off?" I reply affirmatively, "Sim, todo."  "are you sure?" she asks.    I nod assuringly.  What she had actually said was "is this all you want?"  and, with my assurances, left me with spotchy haired legs :) 

Thankfully, she was very patient with my lack of Portuguese.  Hopefully, next time I go (which I will becuase she is amazing), I have a better grasp of the langauge.

Based off this experience, I decided not to go get my haircut and just trim my bangs instead.  AJ saw them on skype and laughed at them.  I admit they are jagged, but it spared me a little embarrassment in a hair salon.  Until I learn more portuguese, I'll have to be spotchy haired legs and jagged bangs:  only more intiative to learn the language!