This morning, I was approached by two youngish, perhaps 12- year-old boys on bicycles as I wandered about the University Forum, looking for a place out of the rain in which I could do some Interneting. (Do recall, NOTHING is open on Sundays, but I can still access the Uni WiFi.)
One asked me, so very politely, "Haben Sie sich verlaufen?" (Translation: "Are you lost?")
I replied, a bit astoundedly, "Nee, bin nur wandern." ("No, I'm just wandering.")
The incredulity, however, stems from the fact that this boy used the POLITE tense with me! Instead of the informal "Hast du dich...", he said "Haben Sie sich..."!!!!
I understand and know that it is polite and correct to use the "Sie"-form with your elders, unless told to use the "du"-form by them, and I am obviously older than these boys... but...
I passed! I am not immediately tagged as a foreigner! He expected me to know German!
(Yeah, he thought I was lost, but that is no matter...)
HAPPY.
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