U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad. The work that diplomats do has an impact on the world as they serve at one of any of the more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia and Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.

The duties of a Consular Officer include to provide emergency and non-emergency services to American citizens and protect our borders through the proper adjudication of visas to foreign nationals and passports to American citizens. We adjudicate immigrant and non-immigrant visas, facilitate adoptions, help evacuate Americans, combat fraud, and fight human trafficking. Consular Officers touch people’s lives in important ways, often reassuring families in crisis. They face many situations which require quick thinking under stress and develop and use a wide range of skills, from managing resources and conducting public outreach to assisting Americans in distress.

Things people say

Working as a housekeeper:

Your English is really good, how long have you lived here?
So . . . which part of South America are you from?
That looks like back-breaking work, don't you get tired?
What's that - some kind of fancy cleaning gadget? (while pointing to my Nalgene water bottle)
(If they find out I'm from the U.S.) What do you think of Obama?
You're from Michigan? Is that by California?
Do you mind if I stay in here while you clean? I like to watch.
I'm so glad that there's not a lot of Americans around - they are always the loudest and most obnoxious, don't you think so?
You're from the U.S.? Really?

Working at a ski resort:

Do you sell cigarettes here? Do you have one I can borrow? No? How about alcohol?
Do you have those leashes you can put on kids? (this is actually a popular request)
You're from Canada, right? Isn't Michigan a part of Canada? (while looking at my name tag)
We didn't really come here to ski or snowboard, do you sell sleds or toboganns?
(After glancing at the jar for tips) I'll take my ten cents change but I will give you a good tip, 'Work hard and save your money.'
When is it going to snow again? How much is it going to snow tomorrow?
Can I pay for this with Australian or American dollars?
Do you have any shirts that aren't as ugly as the ones you have out on display?
If we are just here for the day, can we buy some goggles and gloves and then return them?
This shop seems really expensive, can you tell me the cheapest place to get _____ ?
Do you sell backpacks here? You really should sell some backpacks here.
(while standing directly in front of the rows and rows of sunscreen) Do you guys sell sunscreen?
(from a coworker) Is it true that you're married? Aren't you a little young to be married? Was that your husband we saw you with at the bar? We all thought he was your brother.

And don't get me started on all of the different English words we use for everything such as:

Do you have any . . . . ?

bobbles (hair ties)
stubby holders (beer coozies)
braces (suspenders)
plasters (band aids)
water balls (snow globes)
beanies (hats)
hats (caps)
sunnies (sunglasses)
etc.

I could probably add something on to this list every day. Working in tourism? Never a dull moment.

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Sarah Sanderson

1 Comment

Unknown on October 30, 2012 at 8:05 AM

Then I put the sunnies on a flat surface at his chest height, all folded up except for one arm open, and asked him to get them. Vintage glasses

Wanderlust

In Mandarin: 旅遊癮 (lǚyóu yǐn)

According to my Mandarin teacher, the term 'wanderlust' can best be translated as 'a travel addiction or craving'. In the above translation, 'yǐn' has several meanings such as 'a strong impulse', 'a longing', or 'a desire'.

U.S. Foreign Service Officer headed to Wuhan, China

Things people say

1 Comment