I am currently doing language full time. It's amazing how fast I'm learning, and part of the process is to practice speaking what you know as often as you can. However, this means I often make a fool of myself. Here are three instances of communication mishaps.
1. IKEA boxes
As I moved into my apartment, I assembled lots of IKEA furniture. Once I was done with the boxes, I put them on the street for one of the many people who go around collecting recyclable things to sell. Once such man walked up and said something in the native language. I didn't know what he said, but he seemed to be asking if he could take the boxes. Although I had only been here a short time, and hadn't even started language learning yet, I did my best to communicate that I didn't want the boxes. What I said made him burst out in laughter and jokingly repeat what I had said. Later on I came to realize that I had said the equivalent of “I want these does not exist.”
2. Threatening a store clerk
After a month of language school I knew a little bit about a lot of grammar concepts and had a scattering of vocab available to me. Something uncommon here is filtered coffee, and because I drink coffee every morning I decided to go out and buy a coffeemaker. I was in the store looking at the different coffeepots and found a model that I wanted. I asked the store clerk where the boxed ones where and they said that they were out of stock. With the hope of my beloved coffee dwindling away, I tried to ask if I could purchase the store model. I got a very confused look, and the store manager was called over. They talked seriously for a moment and finally boxed up the coffeepot for me to purchase. It's important for you to know that the words “to stay” and “to buy” are only one letter off from each other. I later realized that instead of asking if I could buy the floor model, I had said that I wanted the floor model and would stay until I got it.
3. To have a chair
I know have 5 language sessions a week where I meet with a native speaker and practice language. With one helper I was learning how to say people had things. However, I continually mix this up with people being things. Two weeks in a row I have communicated that my helper did not have a chair, but was a chair. She was kind enough to correct me, but I have no idea how many people I have been calling objects instead of saying they have something.
I hope these examples of me making a fool of myself made you smile.