lingua franca

My flatmate has an array of friends here in Bangkok, foreign friends that is.

Lola was born in France and is of French Vietnamese heritage. Her late father was a retired professor who made a killing in the market while she assisted and studied the trade. A bubbly character and a bit of a party goer, her easy going character made her friends from all over.

I would come back from work to find a little get together happening, and as part host it was my duty to join them. The usual tipple would be vodka of assorted flavors, whiskey, wine, martini and beer. The real highlight of this get together is the language being conversed, since there are Thais, French, Japanese, French-Spanish, English, German speaking Frenchies, and others which I probably have forgotten.

Its like a crossfire of nationalities engaging in a barrage of discussions in different languages! Its quite amazing how diverse a little get together can be, and it felt like a mini United Nations assembly. If one would speak in their own language then they'd translate it after so no one would be left out, and of course in English!

I've heard a lot of negativity of the French, but one thing I have to admit is their ability to get along with their fellow countrymen of different race or religion, that and the passion they speak with while holding a conversation. You really don't know what the hell is going on or what they're talking about but all you know is their intensity the way they articulate.

I find these get togethers especially entertaining, and could just sit back with a glass of whatever poison and take into account the diverse multi lingual exchanges and learning new things everyday.

Right at the comfort of my own living room...