Anyone that has spent time in the prosthetic clinic in Deschapelles can tell you that the techs here have special names for many of their tools. When you step back and look at the tools in their literal sense...a hammer does not say hammer. Just as a hacksaw has no label that says hacksaw. You are just supposed to know. Imagine how difficult it is when an an adult Haitian is handed a screw driver. He is told it is a screw driver. He knows he is struggling to learn English and work with these Americans and Europeans. He is confused with this screw driver because he thinks it says Craftsman. Not screw driver. He does not want to tell his boss that he thinks it is wrong. Instead, when the boss walks away, the hidden laguage of the techs comes to life.
Joel speaks the best of english of the tech bunch. Though I have to say that the rest of the crew has either imporved significantly, or they were very shy 4 yrs ago.
Today, I was literally looking for the hacksaw. I asked Tcho and Joel. Joel responded, "I do not know anyone named Hacksaw." I looked at him. I knew he was messing with me. He repeated," You know Paul, I have never known anyone named Hacksaw." He continued." Come on Paul....what is his name? Come on my friend you know it is really Stanely that you are looking for."
And thus Stanely, his friend the General, Joel and I had a good chuckle and.....well.... I either have tools for friends, or some of my friends are tools. Not sure if I should try explaining that to the boys tomorrow.
Bon Nuit
Chov Blanc
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