The local funky barista with dreadlocks and a killer smile told me a while back that he’s planning to move soon to Germany to be with his girlfriend.
But there was one minor obstacle he needed to overcome – pass a German language exam.
Being the accommodating kinda customer that I am, I would occasionally entertain him with my limited high school German.
It was like singing for my supper. Except it wasn’t. 
It was coffee that I would shower with compliments like, “Das ist sehr lecker!” “Alles Gut!”
Then, bid farewell with the German equivalent for “See ya later!” (“Tsüss!”)
Frau Kratochvil would’ve been so damn proud.
I found myself dredging up high school memories of a classroom full of awkward, hormonally charged, raucous teenagers surrounding one, frustrated German lady. Profusely banging her hand on the table, demanding silence and yelling, “Bitte! Bitte! BITTE!!!”
Getting past all that, a sudden surge of useless Germans phrases (only entertaining at drunken dinner parties and selective cafes) hit my brain.
Wir haben Hunger = We are hungry.
(Part of an actual song we had to learn about being hungry and thirsty)
Wo bleibt die Kässe = Where is the cheese?
(Second verse of said song)
Ich bin fleissig. Du bist faul = “I an industrious/hardworking. You are lazy”
(Need I say more?)
Ich weiss das nicht = I don’t know
(Used a LOT in class)
Die Geschischte vom Suppen Kasper = The poem of Kasper Soup
(A nursery rhyme we had to memorize, it was about a little boy, Kasper who kept refusing to eat his soup. Such was the stubbornness of Kasper he became so thin that he eventually dies. Of starvation. Did I mention it was a nursery rhyme?
Grabbing my daily coffee the other morning other morning I asked the funky barista when he was leaving our shores.
“Well, I need to go to Indonesia first,” he explains.
Now, I’m curious.
“Why Indonesia?”
“I’m Indonesian,” he replies.
“Get outta here! Me too!”
So we start babbling in Indo.
And all that time there were 2 Indos speaking in English and rusty German.
Danke, Frau Kratochvil!
Did you learn a language in high school? Is it as rusty as my German? Do you have a favourite foreign language phrase? Teach me!
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
Loading InLinkz ...
That’s funny you didn’t recognise each other – I can usually pick Aussies (regardless of Ethnicity) – we dress differently, have more tatts and move differently to other people.
I learnt French, but I’ve dabbled in Japanese and Italian. I also learnt a bit of German for our last trip, and insisted on using it all the time…The Germans were so nice about it.
Faire un fin bouche – is my favourite expression for when you are unimpressed and press your lips together in annoyance. And of course, Torschlusspanik…..
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Little Prince loves Sydney
Generalising on the tatts – we don’t always have tatts. But we are a bigger,bolder breed….
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Little Prince loves Sydney
Hahaha. I love these type of stories.
I had to do German and French in year 7. That was it. The only thing I remember from German is Guten Tag (good day) and Der Kugelschreiber (which I think is “the pen”)
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 2191 – Wearing a dress as a shirt
I learned Indo in high school! I remember very little unfortunately- I remember more french- arc on ciel means rainbow!
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted..America, Lay Down Your Guns
Sorry about this but… I couldn’t concentrate on your post… I was too busy looking at the goods! He’s nice!!
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..PramBasket Review – Carry More on Your Pram in Style Plus Win a Prambasket! #SLHFeaturedThursdays
I love reading stories about people connecting and talking….especially in this digitalised world. ☺️
I learnt Hindi throughout school and French for three years. I remember a little French but not all that much. I tried learning Italian at community college some years ago…that was fun but I didn’t retain enough to have a conversation with anyone!
Sanch @ living my imperfect life recently posted..Trying to find my way
I loved this story. I love hearing how people connect and I love how acquainted people can get with their favorite barristas! They’re doing a very important service to human kind after all! I learned Japanese in high school but have lost a lot of it. I really wish I was good with the multiple languages thing. You did alright to remember what German you did! So here’s my phrase for you: Konichiwa! Ganki deska? That’s hello, how are you and if you want to respond good thanks, it’s just ganki des in response. See, now you’re virtually Japanese now too!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..A Birth Story: The Delivery of Baby Mango – Part One
LOL! I actually majored in Japanese Studies in uni and then lived in Japan for almost a decade so yes! I’m virtually Japanese 🙂
They say it is a small world ( I always want to know who they are btw) and no matter where you go you will know someone who knows someone. I lived in London 20 years ago and even when I travelled to small towns around England, I would bump into people who lived a suburb away.
natalie @ Our Parallel Connection recently posted..Mental illness – you can’t escape from yourself
What a story. I studied French in school and spoke Dutch when I was a child and we lived near my Dutch grandparents. I can hardly recall a word these days.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..Frocktober Friends
Love this! I hope things go well for your barista friend as he makes the move!
EmIly recently posted..Do you phub? – an interview with David Astle
Ha ha that is such a funny coincidence. Hilarious way to start my day, thanks Grace.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..My Friday Favourites: ZamamaBakes
I studied French and it was easily my best subject at school, but the less I used it, the more I forgot. My mum lived there for a while and once when me and the hubster went to visit, he got ill and had to be taken to hospital. I was the translator with my pigeon French and I am sure lots of things were lost in translation! The biggest problem wasn’t my grammar or vocab, it’s that I speak French with a London accent so nobody could really understand what I was saying! I would really love to Italian, but it’s a struggle to find the time and functioning brain cells! Have an ace weekend xx
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..She’s So Inspiring – Rachel Faith Cox
French and German for me. I dropped German ASAP, but I still attend a French conversation class every Monday and I love it
Good luck to you Indo soon to be German barista.
DEsireempire recently posted..High Tea and a Room Tour at the Hydro Majestic Hotel
Actually, I learned German and Indonesian in years 7 and 8. Als, I recall ZILCH of the Indo, and Wie alt bist du? May or may not say How old are you. Oh and I can count to 100 in German. Strange. I don’t really have a head for other languages, though learning Spanish and reading Pablo Neruda in his original language is on my bucket list.
Dani @ sand has no home recently posted..Perfect
I attended French class in high school (deliberate choice of words there…), studied Japanese at Uni (I think perhaps with you Grace!) and have just started learning Finnish in honour of my dad’s memory 🙂 I always wanted to speak every language known to man…. guess that didn’t happen. xxx
Fluffy recently posted..Define Your Own Success
I wrote about this earlier in the week. I did German (and French) for the HSC. German was relatively easy to learn because it had rules and some words were familiar-ish. BUT the German teacher who was around 4 years older than me in 1967 couldnt teach for nuts..oh, well I was a ‘naughty school student’ too because she was soooooo boring. I talked so much one lesson (obvs not in German!) she made me stand outside the door. Year 12. LOL.
As German was the last exam ( when they first did the HSC they spread exams over 3-4 weeks) I made the most of my days off and did what any HSC Northern Beaches student did. Went to the beach. So did the German teacher on the Sunday who admonished me for ‘not being home studying.’ When I passed all subjects well, including German, I got a card of congrats from her. Ser Gut!
Denyse x
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Three Little Ducks. 288/365.
I am *terrible* at languages. I always learn enough to scrape by, but I don’t think I would ever learn a language well unless I was in an immersion learning program. I’ve studied: Italian, French, German and Japanese and know diddly squat about any of them.
Vanessa recently posted..The Itch
That funky barrista dude is cute! I learnt French and German at school. I preferred French – it was more romantic. I found German to be rather abrubt. Here’s a useless phrase I recall from high school – “Ich Bin Krank” (I am sick) haha I hope he passes his exam and gets to Germany with his girlfriend! 🙂
Min@WriteoftheMiddle recently posted..Learning, Love & Laughter
I’d definitely be a repeat customer of his!
I did German too, but don’t think we learnt that particular nursery rhyme!
Mumma McD recently posted..Some days I just suck at parenting
Well at least you found out before he left!! 🙂 I’d love to learn German too… had some German friends in uni and all I can remember is one word for swearing and that the guys like to sit down and pee too hahahah
Ai Sakura recently posted..Prepping for P1: School Uniforms Shopping @ Bibi & Baba, Orchard Road
What a cool story Grace! I studied French for years but it’s amazing how quickly your lose it when you don’t use it. I’ve been playing with a few language apps lately though which is fun. I get a 5 minute French lesson every now and then when I have time to waste. It’s a fantastic thing to study languages I reckon. Even if you’re not fluent, it opens your mind to words and cultures and appreciation of differences – valuable in all facets of life!
Lara at This Charming Mum recently posted..A New Word For The Family Swear Jar
Had to laugh – its always the way! I learnt a little Japanese at high school and can still count to 20. Thats about it hough! I wish I could woo people with a second language – does Aussie bogan slang count:P ?!
Ashlea @ Glamour Coastal Living recently posted..Feature Friday: Effortless Elegance in Brisbane
Haha, awesome! I don’t know any other language except for some Maori (prerequisite of being a Kiwi!) and a wee bit of Samoan (I was the only white girl at school surrounded by Islanders and Maori’s so I picked it up). 🙂
Haidee@Maybe Baby Brothers recently posted..Sum Up (#8): Camping & Party Planning!
I have no linguistics skills but did learn French and Indonesian at school. So I can count and greet people – that’s about it. I once tried to order a Caramel Milkshake in Paris and failed dismally. My mind just doesn’t get the different sounds and ways that words can go together. I am such an anglo-occa Aussie it is fundamentally embarrassing! Mel xx
Melanie Greenhalgh recently posted..Climbing Hills
I learnt Italian in high school for 3 years. But only remember what I learnt the first year.
Numbers, colours, my name is and how are you.
I blame the change in school and therefore the change to a useless Italian teacher who spent 2 years teaching us how verbs change their ending according what person you are speaking in.
Learning a language well all comes down to having a great teacher.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted..Photo Flashbacks: Outrigger Laguna Beach Resort Review
What a great story! I love hearing things like this. I learnt Japanese and can only remember how to count, Indonesian but can’t remember any of that and French, of which I can only say ‘the little apple’. It’s annoying because I was quite good at them and enjoyed it so much!
Becky recently posted..It’s time. For swimmers
Ah, I love it! What a cool Barista! I learnt so many languages at school. German was in primary school, Japanese and French in high school (can’t remember anything) and Spanish in university. Unfortunately the term ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ is very true. After studying Spanish for a year and being able to have a fluent conversation, 12 years later I’m very rusty. My mums family is dutch and similar to German so I might stick with that, I find it easier to understand!
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy recently posted..6 Ways to Style a Pumpkin
Small small world!! I hope he passes his German exam – it’s not the easiest of languages to learn 🙂
Haha, what are the odds! You could have been speaking Indo to him all this time!!! 🙂 I learnt German & French in Years 7/8, I loved French. And learnt it and Italian before Hubby and I travelled overseas. One of my favourite phrases is “Comment ca va” and “parlez vous anglais” which my Husband and I used a lot when we were travelling around France 🙂
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..A worry warts guide in preparing for a childs birthday party
Selamat pagi! That’s about all I remember of my one term of Indonesian! I also learnt a bit of German, but again, can only remember random phrases. Das gras ist grun! (The grass is green. Very useful phrase to know.) I learnt a bit more French, and have had a bit of a chance to use it more with a few trips there. Still not fluent though, but I can understand a fair bit.
Zoe Meunier recently posted..40 Weeks to a Better Cook: Week 18
Ha! That’s hilarious. I reckon my language teachers always had severe mental illnesses. Maybe personality disorders? Particularly the Spanish teacher – which all 4 of the Morris girls ended up with. My two older sisters spoke better Spanish than her. And I once had a conference with her and my mum because she marked me wrong on my Spanish when I was right. My mum set her straight in her passive way. That’s what being a missionary kid in Ecuador gets ya! 🙂
Peachy keen mumma recently posted..10 Ways Parenting with Pain is Different
This made me laugh! What a cute story. Best of luck to your friend when he goes to Germany. I’m sure you are going to miss your daily chat (and coffee – it looks good!).
Lisa wielgosz recently posted..Dubai in the Sky
This is the best. Look at you multi-lingual lot! So jelly, my year 8 German, Japanese and French certainly doesn’t cut it for conversation. Counting, not counting I can do. 😉
Melissa {Suger} recently posted..Dressing up a summer beach dress for dinner
I studied German in high school and I’m also of German background with both of my parents being from Germany. Despite that, my German language skills are pretty limited but I can understand and speak the basics. My favourite line when I visited was: “Entschuldigung mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut. Sprechen Sie English?” which means “Sorry my German isn’t very good. Do you speak English?” and you’d be surprised by how many do! Lifesaver!
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..Setting up a first aid kit and medicine chest at home
I learned Japanese and French in uni then totally forgot both after I graduated hahaha!
Kristyn recently posted..Spring recipes to try
No way! After all that German speak, how cute is that! I miss getting a coffee from a takeaway shop, damn I must get out more! xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Update on my emergency dash to the hospital…
Haha love your broken German !! I learnt French in high school…many many years ago!!! When hubby and I took our then 4 daughters overseas I had to purchase moon boots in Switzerland with a non English speaking shop assistant!! We got there in the end!!
Mum Of Five Girls recently posted..Jamberry Nail Wrap Giveaway
When I was a kid there was only ever one year of language offered at school, and that was French. Such a shame. I’ve learnt a smattering of several language in my travels over the years, but mainly German, through immersion, whenever I’m with my relatives – either visiting them in Germany, or them staying with me here. The best way. I forget it quickly but it comes but it comes back quickly. The most useful phrase has always been ‘was trinken Sie”‘. (What do you want to drink?”
Bronnie – Maid In Australia recently posted..You had me at hello … (And win a free house clean!)
I learnt german in high school too. I used to do really well except there was a german kid in my class so I was never the top student, you have no idea how frustrating that was lol. It was the only class I came even close to being the top student in. Although these days I don’t remember enough of it to say more than my name is Toni and count numbers.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Dairy free jam drops
I really wish I had learnt another language. We did some basic french and spanish in primary school, but beyond being able to count to 10 in Spanish, and sing This is the Day in Pidgin English I don’t know any other languages! One day maybe, when I don’t have a million other things to do and learn I might actually learn one!
Kylie Purtell – A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Ten on the Tenth {Documentary-style Family Photography} | Photography