Words and Plan B

Native whites around NC say “bidness” for the word business. Native blacks say “bitness”. I can’t stand to hear either mispronunciation.

It’s like when someone says something about their teef. It ain’t your damn teef, its teeth dumb shit. Teeth! Yes I understand and accept this and even find it endearing when I travel to the Caribbean. Native Africans don’t pronounce a “th” like Hispanics don’t pronounce a “v”.

Caribbean blacks have preserved their African culture far better than their US counterparts.

But if you are 50 generations away from Africa and or white and live in the mainland US, say teeth please or Wreggie is going to be pissed.

I get miffed when someone uses the “l” in salmon. Why the hell the “l” is there is a mystery and I can understand someone falling for this trap but please learn to silence the “l”. No need to say it again.

And finally about my post yesterday. I had many emails behind the scenes asking what it was that was my plan B. My sister got very close after 8 tries so I told her.

My plan B was to be at a point in my life when I had nothing to prove to myself or society and I could do what I wanted when I wanted. At a point where income is still needed but where income doesn’t define me or make me a slave to my lifestyle.

I always loved the years I spent in the service industry. I like the direct contact of serving someone and making their life better for just the few moments they are in front of me. I also love the food and restaurant bidness.

So if you boiled all that desire down to its essence then you would have me standing at a place with a lot of people behind a hotdog cart making people smile with good food and friendly service.

You never would have guessed it huh?

8 comments:

Rock Chef said...

No, I would never have thought that - but I do have a friend who made a whole load of money selling burgers and hotdogs...

What I don't like is a deliberately adopted accent - white Brits trying to talk like blacks from Harlem. Drives me nuts!

Unknown said...

I have been saying for a few years that if I could make the same money working a hot dog cart 5 days a week, I'd do it in a heart beat.

Michael said...

Oh, you'll love this one then. It arrived by email recently, but we didn't get around to passing it on.

"OKAY. How would you pronounce this child's name: "Le-a" ???

Leah?? NO
Lee - A?? NOPE
Lay - a?? NO
Lei?? Guess Again.

This child attends a school in Livingston Parish, LA. Her mother is irate because everyone is getting her name wrong. It's pronounced "Ledasha". When the Mother was asked about the pronunciation of the name, she said, "the dash don't be silent."

SO, if you see something come across your desk like this please remember to pronounce the dash. If they axe you why, tell them the dash don't be silent."

Michael said...

PS.

My offer still stands. We could offer to rent the salon for an hour or two. When you're down in the salon, out in the harbor, you won't "know" you're not out at sea.

TerryC said...

I've frequently envisioned myself selling veggie hot dogs on the side of south shore road.

Ain't that a hoot!

terri said...

I'd love to do anything that involves interacting with people. A hot dog stand never would have occurred to me, but it's a great idea! I could totally see you having fun as a hot dog vendor.

none said...

That's funny. My dream was to drive one of those "roach coach" trucks and sell food to folks during their breaks.

I hadn't thought about that in a while.

Yeah teef...ugh

TerryC said...

Who makes me "a slave to my lifestyle", but me?

Kinda silly, innit?