Despedida

When I first moved here, I remember applying for my first job. No one really wants to work at McDonalds when you have years of experience working for yourself, instead of others. I was never taught to serve others, besides myself. I spent five years prior to this job training my tongue to pronounce the right syllables. El español sale de mi lengua y lucho por recordar mucho en ingles.

“Hi! Welcome to McDonalds how can I help you?”

These were the first words I was taught. David, the manager at that time, taught me everything. I picked up talking with customer’s quickly because I liked to talk. I liked getting to know the people here. The kind older ones would greet me with a smile in the morning. The younger adults seemed sympathetic towards me during lunch hour. I was not allowed at the kitchen because I would complain of the procedures they used. That’s a story for a different day.

Cuando llegué a este país de Mexico, tenía una educación, pero aquí no importaba. He estudiado inglés antes, pero el acento es algo que no puedo ocultar. I always hear “huh” “excuse me” “can you repeat that” every day of my life. He estado viviendo en los Estados Unidos por más de 20 años y todavía tengo este acento. No es mi culpa. It’s not my fault.

Fue difícil ser una de las pocas personas que hablaba español en mi trabajo. Pero luego conocí a Mayra.