Lesson Twelve: Me Frustro Tener Un Ganso Como Vos de Alumno

Today was David’s Saturday repaso or review.

Bad news. David’s mother isn’t leaving Buenos Aires. Apparently, she and David’s father are having a bit of a fight, and they might separate. Very sad for David.

Jimena, however, thinks that it is good that there is some sort of crisis. If they don’t have a crisis after 37 years of marriage, how are they going to clear up any unresolved issues? I think that there is a very different understanding of arguments and crises in Argentina. I can’t tell you how many times I have had my Argentine friends tease me for avoiding an argument. Isn’t this what we are taught to do? Arguing is frowned down upon in our culture, or where I am from at least; I mean, who wants to fight if they don’t need to? After much discussion with my friends here, I realize that we (Yanquis) just take it more seriously—when we argue, we argue. We get offended, we don’t talk to the other person. Here it’s so normal—it shows that people can talk about everything—even the controversial topics. People argue with their friends and then hug it out. Such a different way to look at it.

Anyway, we also learn some Spanish during this lesson too, in case you were wondering. We learn about the object pronouns, the direct and indirect objects, prepositions, and we learn that Simon gets around. David and Jimena play Simón Dice to practice the imperative tense, and after Jimena says, "Simón dice: Cante un tango" we are serenaded by David and his, ahem, beautiful singing voice. "Pooorrr una cabeeezzzaaa"

And then, in true David fashion, he turns into an ass and gets estrellitas negativas.