My failures with Spanish are well documented. Today I had a spectacular burst of competence and was able to convey an idea clearly:
Me: Señor, hay un problema.
Housekeeping: ¿Qué es?
Me: Creo que hay un problema con el orinal.
Housekeeping: Hm… ¿Puede ser más específico?
Me: Sí, hay agua en el suelo. Creo que el drenaje se rompió.
Translated into English:
Me: There is a problem.
Housekeeping: What is it?
Me: I believe there’s a problem with the urinal.
Housekeeping: Can you be more specific?
Me: Yes, there’s water on the floor. I think the drain’s broke.
Order food? Nope. Describe my vacation? Nope. Talk about pop culture? Nope. Describe in what matter a toilet fixture is broken? Hell yes.
