Was Somebody Saying No?

Dr. Xuang Xi, who worked at an important economic planning institute in Beijing, was on a study tour of the United States when he contacted Dr. Ronald Hastings, who was affiliated with a similar organization in New York City. Hastings, the author of several well-received books, was a high-status economist and considered a leading authority in the field of economic forecasting based on microeconomic predictors. Dr. Xi invited Dr. Hastings to come to China for 2 months to give seminars on microeconomic variables in forecasting, with special attention to using data sets available in China. Dr. Hastings responded, “I’m interested, but I have to check the invitation with the administrators here in this [American] organization. The organization just received a grant that frees me from any teaching responsibilities for 3 years, and that’s great because I can devote full time to research and writing. But I don’t know the details of what that grant allows, for instance, time away from New York to go to China as well as a more teaching-oriented than research-oriented 2 months in China. So I’ll check with the administrators here to get their approval.” Dr. Hastings then ended his meeting with Dr. Xi, thinking that it had gone well. However, Dr. Hastings never heard again from Dr. Xi.

Case #4

Most Misunderstood Passenger

As the plane left the runway, the German tourist bolted from his seat, shoving aside a flight attendant who tried to stop him. He had to go to the bathroom, he later told a judge.

But on that January flight from Fort Lauderdale to Hanover, Germany, something got lost in the translation.

“The roof is going to go!” was what the flight attendant said she heard him say, as he made a sweeping gesture with his arms as if to indicate a gigantic explosion.

The plane was brought back to Fort Lauderdale, and the passenger was arrested on federal charges of interfering with a flight crew and making a bomb threat.

The tourist spent nine months in jail, until a German-speaking judge released him. Apparently, the German expression “then the roof flies” is slang for having to use the bathroom.

(From the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinal newspaper, as cited in Parade magazine, January 2, 1994, p.6)

Case #5

U.N. Survey

Last month, a survey was conducted by the U.N. worldwide. The question asked was, “Please give your honest opinion about the solution to the food shortage in the rest of the world?”

Here is the response:

1. In Africa they did not know what “food” meant.

2. In Western Europe they did not know what “shortage” meant.

3. In Eastern Europe they did not know what “opinion” meant.

4. In the Middle East they did not know what “solution” meant.

5. In South America they did not know what “please” meant.

6. In Asia they did not know what “honest” meant.

7. In the USA they did not know what “the rest of the world” meant.

“Only because we believe we are separate do our needs seem to conflict.” Paul Ferrini (from his book – From Ego to Self).

Case #6