Did you not hear me or do you not understand me?‏

It’s a question you’ll hear often if you spend a little time with me and the Hubster. From me. Often delivered with sarcasm or annoyance, I’ll admit. But with love. Always with love.

Yes, English is not his first language. He speaks with a cute little accent. And he has managed to become fluent in English in a way I honestly don’t believe I could EVER do in Czech. (Especially because I don’t actually study it. Oops.) Still, there are moments when we giggle at his mistakes and others when we get annoyed or angry. What? I’m impatient.

Combine the language challenges with his ability to focus 150% on his Playstation, PC or whatever else is in front of him, so I often don’t know if he doesn’t understand what I’m saying or just hasn’t heard a damn thing I’ve said. With any other man, I’d assume he’s just not listening. I’ve made that mistake before with my sweetie only to be corrected.

So now, I ask. I am sure he hates it, but it’s become a thing. That way, I know if I need to mock him or yell/stand in front of the TV/block the PC/other or find other English words to get across my message. Just one of the many fun elements of being married to someone with a different native language. Jezis maria!

The mocking part is, obviously, the most fun for me. (insert evil laugh here).  But I try not to do it unnecessarily.

I would love to save the mocking for his mother who, bless her heart, tries so very hard to communicate with me on Skype, IM, emails, etc. (Reminder, I speak barely a lick of Czech.) For example: “We both are  drinking a health all of you.” (Oh, a gem. I’ve already established my evil streak, right? But seriously, she is loving and wants so badly to be able to communicate well with me.)

I’d tell more, but I’ve been informed on a number of occasions that mocking mother is off limits. I can only imagine the trouble I’ll get in for doing it publicly. Eeek! I’m sure an emoticon will make it all better. 😉