
Do You Mean What You Say?
Hubby: That'll do it.
Employee: Would you like anything else?
Hubby: That'll do it.
Me (soto voz): Just tell her "nothing else."
Employee: Would you like anything else?
Hubby: That'll do it.
It reminded me of a phrase Ecuadorians use: "Hay no mas." Literally, "There, no more."
The conversation would go like this: (Only I'm translating all but the one phrase)
Me: Would you like more coffee? (Coffee pot in hand)
Ecuadorian #1: Hay no mas (Waves hand over cup indicating no more)
I go to the next guest
Me: Would you like more coffee?
Ecuadorian #2: Hay no mas (smiles at me and nods). I pour coffee.
A young girl from the country worked for us. I could never tell if her "Aye no mas" was a yes or a no. I would finally resort to this:
Me: Aiden, would you like more milk?
Aiden: (Expressionless, motionless) Aye, no mas.
me: Aye, no mas, Si? Or Aye, no mas no?

So I ask you, what other expressions do we use that are vague or can mean either yes or no? (My brain is tired...help me think!!!)
(Apologies to Spanish-speakers, I couldn't get the accents and such to work in this space)
At a fast food drive in tonight
Employee: Would you like anything else? (with a fairly heavy Spanish accent)Hubby: That'll do it.
Employee: Would you like anything else?
Hubby: That'll do it.
Me (soto voz): Just tell her "nothing else."
Employee: Would you like anything else?
Hubby: That'll do it.
He drives on to the window to pick up food.
It reminded me of a phrase Ecuadorians use: "Hay no mas." Literally, "There, no more."
The conversation would go like this: (Only I'm translating all but the one phrase)
Me: Would you like more coffee? (Coffee pot in hand)
Ecuadorian #1: Hay no mas (Waves hand over cup indicating no more)
I go to the next guest
Me: Would you like more coffee?
Ecuadorian #2: Hay no mas (smiles at me and nods). I pour coffee.
A young girl from the country worked for us. I could never tell if her "Aye no mas" was a yes or a no. I would finally resort to this:
Me: Aiden, would you like more milk?
Aiden: (Expressionless, motionless) Aye, no mas.
me: Aye, no mas, Si? Or Aye, no mas no?

So I ask you, what other expressions do we use that are vague or can mean either yes or no? (My brain is tired...help me think!!!)
(Apologies to Spanish-speakers, I couldn't get the accents and such to work in this space)
