Benefit of speaking a second language

Or make that a third language actually. Even if it's only poquito

My cell phone rang while driving between second to the last class of the day and picking up little girl child at kindergarten. It was a number I didn’t recognize, no caller ID who can that be? I was listening to a podcast; had an earphone in one ear so touch the screen
“Moshi-moshi (hello on phone in Japanese) Hello”  

She started with “Hello sir” and went right into her sales pitch.  

Good grief a telemarketer on my cell phone in Japan? Are you kidding me?

There was a period of time a couple of years ago when I got quite a few calls like that but nothing since. Thus I remember it well because it was so rare for me here. Indeed that was the first time. I remember the Chinese accent then, but this time it was Indian. She continued on with her script until I interrupted
“How did you get my number?”

“It’s in our database” was her reply.  

Strong Indian accent but clearly fluent in English and I’m guessing Japanese too since surely she knows where she’s calling so what to do?

Quick, wake the high school Spanish class brain cells!

“Como te llamo por favor?”

Silence. Hey maybe it’s working. How about 

“Se habla español?” 

More silence.

Gosh I'm almost out of Spanish save for dirty words quick think boy think.  

Oh yeah

“Mi no habla ingles. Mi ingles muy poquito.  

Okay it's wrong but she clearly doesn't know.  Just start saying words.

"Tu pero es en mi zapatos"

I'm pretty sure that's "Your dog is in my slippers"

 Gotta love the things I remember from 9th grade! 

“Excuse me sir, what country are you from?” 

Gomen nasai (Japanese for I’m sorry. Oops!) No comprende. 

“Sir...?” 

She started saying something else so I just kept repeating

"No comprende. Se habla español?” 

and then...

CLICK!

HAA! It worked! 

I’ve clearly forgotten nearly all the Spanish I learned (save for the dirty words embedded in my mind for all eternity--words learned during nearly ten years of working construction with some great Spanish speaking amigos) but luckily I retained enough to have some fun with an unlucky telemarketer today.  I felt kinda bad afterwards. I mean after all she’s just doing her job, but still I about laughed myself silly and was kinda proud too. 

I made a telemarketer hang up on me.  Top that!