Interview 2 · Lifeline Phrases
She said YES without understanding?
Transcript
Rafa: Mom, if you don't understand something, just say yes and smile. Works every time.
Officer: Have you ever been a habitual drunkard?
Lupe: Yes!
Rafa: … Mom! You don't even drink eggnog!
Lupe: Well, what did she ask me?
Grandpa: Rewind.
Grandpa: Saying yes without understanding is the most common trap. If you didn't understand, don't answer yet: ask.
Grandpa: First phrase: Can you repeat the question, please?
Grandpa: If they talk fast: Can you speak more slowly, please?
Grandpa: If you don't know a word: What does habitual drunkard mean? It's someone who gets drunk very often.
Grandpa: And if you didn't get any of it: I'm sorry, I don't understand. The officer can say it another way.
Grandpa: Asking them to repeat is never failing. The danger is answering without understanding.
Grandpa: Okay, like at the interview, noise and all. How did you get here today?
Rafa: Yes!
Grandpa: Rafa! Yes what? Lupe?
Lupe: Can you repeat the question, please?
Grandpa: Of course. How… did you… get here… today?
Lupe: My daughter drove me.
Rafa: Sofía? Why not me? I have a car!
Grandpa: With an empty tank, kiddo.
Lupe: Your turn, mijo: Have you ever been a habitual drunkard?
Rafa: No! … I mean… What does habitual drunkard mean?
Grandpa: That's it, kiddo. Asking is not failing.
Lupe: My eleventh stamp in the passport!
Grandpa: Eleven out of twenty, Lupe. More than halfway.
Grandpa: Now, your ear. Listen to the officer… and practice your lifeline phrases with me.
Officer: How did you get here today?
Grandpa: Can you repeat the question, please? ri-PEET thuh KWES-chun.
Officer: Do you swear or affirm that everything you say today will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Grandpa: Can you speak more slowly, please? SPEEK mor SLOH-lee.
Officer: Have you ever been a habitual drunkard?
Grandpa: What does habitual drunkard mean? huh-BICH-oo-ul DRUNK-erd.
Officer: Is there anything you want to change on your application?
Grandpa: I'm sorry, I don't understand. eye DOHNT un-der-STAND.
Officer: Do you need to make any changes to your application?
Grandpa: No, everything is correct. EV-ree-thing iz kuh-REKT.
Officer: Take your time.
Grandpa: One moment, please. Let me think. LET mee THINK.
Lupe: Repeat, slowly, what does it mean, and I don't understand! No more saying yes just to say yes.
Grandpa: That's it, Lupe. Asking is never failing. Say them out loud every day.
Rafa: Okay, okay… the say-yes-and-smile thing… doesn't work.