Kelly CP-3

May 11, 2012

This evening I picked up Kader at his apartment where he lives with other young men that attend CIES. We decided to get a little something to it, so I spontaneously chose Monks as it was nearby, is very popular, and is very American. (Hamburgers are their specialty after all). We sat outside and after ordering a hamburger (which we shared) I introduced Kader to the popular college party game, Cornhole. As I am not thoroughly schooled in the game, we read the game directions together. I was horrible, and Kader was very good, he easily beat me. It was quite fun and a great icebreaker, we both laughed a lot. This made me realize that games are a wonderful tool in easing relations, and the added physical component was a change from sitting face to face, which added another dynamic to the conversation. Kader has a fairly good grasp on English, but even so, I think playing this game was a “real world” situation that he could use numbers (ie, keeping track of the score, scoring rules). When our food was ready, some unexpected friends of mine arrived. Since they were waiting for a table I asked them to join us. Having a group of native speakers to interact with made the environment that much more casual and natural. Kader even learned a few saucey slang words, such as the double meaning of “cougar” which we all got a good laugh from. Kader and I shared a popular hamburger that is topped with peanut butter. Kader explained that they have peanut butter in his country, (Burkina Faso) but that it is used in cooking (making sauces) and not as a sandwich. He thought the peanut butter would have been better without the actual hamburger. All at the table gave a bit of insight on the classic Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich, and I promised that I would bring him one to try soon. After great conversation we asked for the bill. This proved to be a good lesson in learning to tip in America. Everyone at the table gave Kader advice on how to calculate a 20% tip, with lots of jokes and laughter in between. As I took Kader to his friend's apartment, I asked him to play some music from his phone. He first put on some American hip hop, and then some European trance club music. We both like to dance and he suggested that sometime soon I go with him and his friends to dance. All in all, I think the meeting was beneficial for learning a bit more about “Tallahassee's flavor,” and further getting to know a new friend.