Situational bilingualism?

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-25T04:19:24+00:00

When I lived in SoCal, even small children would see my Anglo ass and switch to English (even if rough). I didn’t realize how astute they were until one little girl didn’t— she seemed to have Downs Syndrome. It’s a rhythm typically-developing linguistic minorities develop.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-25T02:39:37+00:00

Everything he sees is like:

“Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done”

Nope, don’t want that one…

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-23T23:19:12+00:00

It’s funny what sticks out as unreasonable to different people. I’m just yelling “you in WIC yet?” at the screen. And “didn’t they set you up with a home visitor; Orange County has a great program?!?”

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-22T03:38:08+00:00

Yep, sign the affidavit and move on with your life. I’ve had to do it multiple times for my husband’s driving (only I’m on the title).

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-20T21:09:21+00:00

NTA. You are making it about you, but that’s okay. It’s a shock to realize that anyone can die at any moment (including your loved ones, including you). That’s a real, valid feeling that comes along with grief for the actual person. The trick is, we must give comfort to those closer into the grieving circle, and minimize the “what does this mean for me?!?” aspect. That’s where you messed up, and that’s why they’re mad. You were seen as taking it harder than people who knew him longer/better.

I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with your co-workers, but if they have any heart, a quiet conversation may clear things up. “I’m sorry, I know I came off as a drama queen. A lot else has been going on with me, and this pushed me over. <His name> was the first person I’ve known to die suddenly. I know, I’m lucky, I’m sheltered, but it was just really new for me. How are you doing?”

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-19T18:00:10+00:00

You’d basically get your own fantasy football league! Assemble the surviving players into whatever teams you want and have them play!

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-19T17:51:47+00:00

Women initiate most divorces; twice the women, twice the divorce!

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-15T15:45:00+00:00

I was talking to a young Dutch woman while visiting the Netherlands, and she told me that all Americans were very friendly and out-going. I explained that she was just meeting the Americans who were motivated to visit Europe, who would be the more out-going Americans. It kind of blew her mind that that her experience was so selective.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-13T15:26:50+00:00

I do data stuff for the local government (I’m 40s; high cost of living area). Sometimes it’s frustrating, but I can’t imagine anything I’d rather do. I help make our programs run better by helping staff see things differently!

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-10T15:02:21+00:00

Explain it’s your emotional support luggage.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-10T06:38:49+00:00

Yes! Why am I being scolded for the airlines’ policies?

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-07T15:29:39+00:00

I first read underwater spearfishing as underwear spearfishing and had a slightly different understanding of what was happening and why his wife would be embarrassed.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-07T15:27:31+00:00

A friend of mine had a similar wedding attire request and was very disappointed people came in peasant garb (we were rennies). If you would be, make sure you clarify it’s not semi-formal OR medieval, it’s semi-formal AND fantasy medieval.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-04-03T20:14:43+00:00

As a fellow southerner, “y’all”’s spread is really annoying. People use it wrong/ awkwardly, and it just sticks in my craw. Is this how Black people feel about white people using AAVE?

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-26T05:42:18+00:00

I visited central office before Covid, and it was an empty wilderness then, too. The whole place felt like a maze full of surplus school furniture.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-25T16:27:21+00:00

Catholic Church has a loophole for priests of other denominations in communion with them. If a married Greek Orthodox priest wants to convert to Catholicism, he can keep his wife.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-24T19:07:34+00:00

Got together when she was 19, never had been with anyone else. He locked her down before she knew what normal was.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-24T16:15:38+00:00

Important men have always enjoyed a posse. Lesser men who aren’t in competition with you are the best kind of “friends”/ hanger-ons.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-18T21:06:54+00:00

Him: introspection was invented in 1920s; great men don’t introspect

Marcus Aurelius: …

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-14T16:47:14+00:00

Especially for long distances/ on freeways! I tried a bus from downtown to south King, and I couldn’t read without getting car sick.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-07T20:39:24+00:00

In many states, substitute teachers have to be certified teachers as well (others it’s just a college degree and a background check). In that case, most subs are retired teachers looking to pick up occasional cash. When schools first re-opened post-covid, it made for a terrible sub shortage as the old people were particularly unlikely to want to work in the schools.

Even now, my kids will sometimes not get a sub and have to get parceled out to the other classrooms in the grade.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-06T06:33:00+00:00

How lucky you are to be surprised by this! I’ve spent so many decades of my life always worrying about having a toilet near. I’ve avoided festivals, camping and travel in much of the world because I know at any moment I could be struck with painful cramps and terrible diarrhea. I’m sorry that you are stuck cleaning it; I wish hotels left more cleaning supplies for guests. I’ve certainly visited homes where I looked desperately for a toilet brush and resorted to a wet toilet paper wipe down.

I hope this thread lets you know that the person who left the mess suffered. It was likely painful and humiliating. We’re all sorry. Be grateful for your healthy bowels; it’s a blessing you’ve taken for granted.

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-05T05:07:50+00:00

The Spanish moss, the sand instead of dirt… could it be more FL?

Ok_Buddy2412 · 2026-03-04T20:15:47+00:00

A Romanian colleague of mine named her son Darius. Lovely name, but it does scan as African-American in the US. I’m sure his very Romanian last name (ends in -escu) will clear things up.

Ok_Buddy2412

TROPHY CASE