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So, we're living in the French part of Switzerland where truly not a lot of English is spoken. There's a wonderful swimming pool complex that includes a restaurant. We wanted to go swimming the other day, so I called the number on the back of the brochure and asked, in my imperfectly accented French, if they provided towels (serviettes) or if we'd have to bring our own.
The man on the other end sounded astounded and a bit indignant.
"Serviettes? Serviettes?"
I repeated my question.
Fortunately, he figured out what had happened and told me that I had called the restaurant, not the pool.
The punchline is that "serviettes" also means "napkins." So for at least a few seconds, I was the idiot American who called the restaurant to ask if they provided napkins or if we'd have to bring our own.
Reader's Digest, here I come.
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Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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