Yeah, No, Yeah.........No

Wait, What?

I was at the store with a co-worker (I can say that even though I am on a short contract, right?). She was trying to buy a certian type of bag to use as a goody bag for her kids birthday party. We found something close but not exactly what she wanted. So, she asks the worker on the floor for help.

Yeah I like these bags, but I want ones that have a draw string. Do you have those?

Yeah Yeah, there they are right there.

Yeah, No I mean ones LIKE that but with a draw string.

Uhm

Yeah Yeah, can you check the back to see if you have them.

Yeah No, we don't have any in the back.

Oh, so this is it?

Yeah, No, Yeah...........No

And that was it. They both completely understood each other and I am standing there wondering what the hell the answer was. Did she have any or not?????

Mike and I have been going into work together for the past two weeks. We have been having our own giggle sessions about terms here and how people talk.

"I reckon". I really thought the first few times I heard this people were making fun of me. It didn't even cross my mind that people from the other side of the world would use a term that is used in the deep south.

Another thing we noticed is that people's terms are more of a reflection of attitude. For example, they will say "give it a go" for "give it a try" or "how you goin?" instead of "how you doin?"

The funniest story Mike told me from work was the day he was caught in his own confusion. Three co-workers were discussing a problem they were having and each would offer up a point or solution. Every time that happened the other two would do a "MMMMM" in acknowledgement. Not the "MMMMM" that tastes good but "mmmmm" I am deep in thought. He said at one point, there was a battle of "MMMMS". The first person would said MMMMM (I'm deep in thought), the second person said MMMMMM (I'm questioning that you know what you are talking about) and the third person gave the final MMMMM( come on mates let's get back to work). And that was it. He was left standing there wondering what the hell happened. Did they solve the problem or not??