The Birds!!

As my German improves, I find myself occasionally forgetting to be timid. I don’t believe timid would ever be an adjective used to describe me by friends but my wish to only speak when necessary has translated into me seeming shy and timid to those that I come across outside of work.
The occasions when I tend to forget this ‘timidity’ occur when I am in business-mode, and flying definitely brings out said ‘business mode’.

Walking through Munich airport last week, I was surprised to see a sparrow flying alongside me, particularly as I was indoors, past security, by the boarding gates!
I couldn’t see a member of staff so I popped into a cafe at the nearest boarding gate. I waited in line and then disappointed the checkout assistant by not wishing to buy anything. I let them know that there was a bird outside, and that I wanted someone to know so they could help it. I was met with a rather dismissive response and so went on my way.

It was only once I had left the building to board my plane that I realised I hadn’t explained that the bird was inside the building but outside of the cafe. I had, essentially, walked up to someone and declared that there was a bird outside. Of course they presumed I was wasting their time. There are plenty of birds outside. Why didn’t I just say it in English? I’m sure they all speak it far better than I do German. Another day, another anecdote!