2005-10-05 - 5:06 p.m.
A lesson in Turkmen phone etiquette and, as in the last example, a PCV’s sometimes short temper, as taught through real life dialogues.
Dialogue #1:
Me: Hallo!
Caller: Hallo.
Me: Hallo?
Caller: Who is this?
Me: You called me—you know who it is. Who are you?
Caller: Hallo?
Me: Who is this?
Caller: Who is this?
Me: I asked you. Who is this?
Caller: Hallo? Who is this?
Dialogue #2:
Me: Hello!
Caller: Serdar, is it you?
Me: No, it’s Steve.
Caller: Steve! Salam! Howareyouhowisyourworkyourhealthisyourworkgoingfinehowisyourfamilygoodgoodhowisyourmood?
Me: goodthankyougoodhowareyouisyourfamilygoodgoodyesofcoursegoodhowisyourhealth?
Caller: Aah.
Me: Who do you need?
Caller: Is Gozel there?
Me: Sure, who is this?
Caller: Do you know who I am? Have you met me?
Me: I don’t know…Guncha?
Caller: No!
Me: Olsapar?
Caller: No!! It’s Nartach! HO! I can’t believe you didn’t know! I’m so mad! Tell Gozel I’m mad at you.
Me: Um, ok.
Dialogue #3:
Friend’s House: Hallo?
Me: Hello, is Kamaladin there?
FH: No.
Me: Oh, where did he go?
FH: I don’t know.
Me: Ok.
FH: Bye.
(They hang up the phone.)
Dialogue #4:
Me: Hallo!
Caller: Is Maysa there?
Me: No, she’s still sleeping. Who is this?
(Caller hangs up the phone)
Dialogue #5:
Me: Hallo!
Caller: Hallo?
Me: Hallo?
Caller: Hallo?!
Me: Hallo? HALLO?
Caller: HALLO! HALLO? HALLO?
Me: I said hello already. Who is this?
Caller: HALLO!? HALLO!
Me: HALLO. WHO IS THIS.
Caller: HALLO?
Me: WHO THE FUCK IS THIS?
Caller: WHAT?
Me: WHO THE FUCK IS THIS?? ANSWER.
Caller: Wow, talk quieter!
Me: Tell me who this is? WHO ARE YOU?
Caller: HALLO? HALLO!
