Dentist

So I just want to rave about the best teeth cleaning I've had since my childhood dentist retired years ago. Dr. Gagik Pahlavyan gave me an amazing cleaning for 40 minutes, and my teeth feel brand new! I highly recommend him, at least for cleanings. It cost about $50 - though who knows what he'll cost next month if the dollar keeps dropping. If you want to pay him a visit, he's at Ultradent on Amiryan Street, across from Samsung. The office was brand new, had excellent equipment, and you even put your feet into a machine which pops plastic baggies on them to keep the place spotless... a bit excessive I think, but certainly a nice change.

As I sit in the chair...

Gagik: What problem do you have?
Me: No problem.
Gagik: Wow, nobody in this country visits the dentist until it reaches the bone (minchev voskor' hasni).

That's a figure of speech, but I guess not many people go in for a regular cleaning. And I guess that doesn't surprise me.

290

For those of you who were here in the summer, don't expect an exchange rate of 350 drams to the dollar when you get back. Last weekend, the dollar dropped below 300 for the first time since soon after it was introduced, in fact it dropped 10 percent in one day. It has recovered some of the loss, and today the rate stands at 303, but folks, there's no end in sight from where I'm standing.

So I haven't shared a conversation in a while...

I'm buying a 2 liter coke with a friend last night, and the guy automatically puts it in a plastic bag. I prefer to carry it 2 buildings over than waste a bag, create more trash, and pull it out, handing it back to him. He's like, huh? And my friend, who knows him, says we don't need it. He says, but, it's shameful! (to carry it without a bag). We laugh - a new "amot" (thing to need to feel shame about).

Conversations between taxi drivers

As my cab pulled up to an intersection with a crosswalk, a pretty girl waited to cross, and my cab driver waved her across, she thanked him with a hand wave, and the cab in the next lane didn't slow down until later, stopping right at the crosswalk.

At the next intersection, my cab driver, leaning partially out the window, to the other cab driver: Bro, drive with some class. Give way to the beautiful sex.

Conversations with the waiter

I have a feeling there will be no end to the "conversations with the waiter", they are so often memorable here. This one is a submission from a repat that doesn't blog.

Sitting at Square One, one of us orders a hamburger, the other a chicken burger. When the waiter brings out two plates, it's obvious that they are identical.

Me (pointing to friend's plate): Excuse me, what is this?

Waiter: What did you order?

Me: Huh?

Waiter: What?

Me: I want to know what this is that you just brought out?

Waiter: Then tell me what you ordered.

Me (still pointing to friend's plate): Why do you need to know what I ordered before you tell me what this is?

Waiter: Well, how am I supposed to know what THAT is if you don't tell me WHAT you ordered?

Conversations with the doctor

So after a week of this strange, lingering sore throat, I ventured to the doctor to get it checked. After the inspection process, she told me in Armenian I had an infection and inflammation in my throat. I wanted to figure out if there was a more specific name for what I have.

Me: What is my condition called? Is it perhaps strep throat? (strep throat I said in English)

Dr: I don't know that term, do you speak French?

Me: No, but go ahead and try me.

Dr: But do you speak French?

Me: No, but I might understand.

Dr: You have a good sense of humor. (totally thinking I'm joking)

Me: No, really, say it in French!

Dr: You have an inflamacion.

Me: Ah yes, an inflammation.

I hope some other bloggers will occasionally post some funny conversations they have... sometimes the confusion or misunderstanding can be truly impressive :-)

Conversations over a pizza order

When the idea of going to the Club came up, I was a bit lukewarm, until I remembered their fantastic pizza, which is exactly what I was in the mood for.

Me: I'll have the vegetarian pizza.

Waitress: We don't have pizza today.

Me: Why not?

Waitress: It's Sunday, we don't have pizza on Sundays.

Me: Why? What happens on Sundays?

Waitress: The pizza chef has to have a day of rest too.

Me: But, can't anyone else make a pizza????

Waitress: No.

I settled for a pretty greasy Su Boreg which was too small and a very good Armenian Salad, but it just wasn't the same, nor was it all that satisfying.

Conversations (toast to the priest)

I've been wanting for a while to regularly blog funny exchanges I hear here. Finally I'm starting, and hopefully it will be regular.

Sunday evening, while attending the post baptismal reception, the Tamada had the following exchange with the American-Armenian priest while toasting him, as the priest sat next to his own wife:

Tamada: (to the priest)... To you and your wife (pause)

Tamada: You are married right?

DK: Ayo

Tamada: (pause) Is that allowed?

DK: Ayo

Tamada: (longer pause) Is that her next to you?

DK: Ayo

Tamada: Then to you and your wife...