Hold the Coriander!

I’m no cunning linguist. In fact, I’m so bad at languages that I can’t even speak my own language properly. I can speak my island’s dialect and English very well, no problem, but my grasp of the actual Filipino language is so horrendous that the people I speak Tagalog with don’t even bother to hide the looks of pain on their faces.

Needless to say, my Thai is dreadful. My Thai is pretty limited to “thank you”, “go straight”, “turn left”, “how much”, and Victory Monument. I know some but not all of the numbers. I can’t even say the name of the area I live in the right way. It’s not for lack of trying. I just can’t remember the words, and if I do, I can’t say it right. My vocal chords don’t seem to be capable of adapting the shifting, sing-song cadence of the Thai language.

In an effort to make my almost 3-month stay here worthwhile, I have since acquired the habit of perusing The Boyfriend’s (formerly known as The Object) Thai-English dictionary. Though I forget most of the phrases within 5 minutes after I have supposedly learned them, one phrase has fortunately stuck to me like glue: Mai paak chii. It means “no coriander”, whoop-dee-doo! I may not be speaking fluent Thai anytime soon, but at least I’m eating coriander-free dishes. And since I don’t have to put up with those pesky leaves and their terrible flavor, I’ve found that I actually love Thai food.

Indeed, it’s amazing how a few simple words can change one’s perspective. Now I just have to learn how to get motorcycle taxi and cab drivers to stop. I’d like to get off right in front of my destination for a change, thank you very much.