TIL that some languages apparently have words inherently differentiating one's status as a citizen or resident of the entity versus a member of a particular ethnic or cultural group? I don't quite grasp the whole thing, although I heard the point being made. What's interesting to me is a) that there is such a thing, which seems very revealing of something about a culture that would need such concepts built into the language, and b) that there seem to be people who think it's inaccurate to interpret the word choice as meaningful. Firstly, since languages have all sorts of concepts built into them, many very specific to their primary culture of use, it seems reasonable that such a thing could exist. Not that I would have thought of it before, since I'm not from a culture where that sort of subtlety functions. Secondly, if that is, indeed, the subtlety of the word choices, where one essentially and inherently includes people, and the other excludes, then I'd kind o...
hard eyeroll
ReplyDeleteUgh
ReplyDeleteA plesiosaur, because messing with the heads of Scottish tourists is HILARIOUS.
ReplyDeleteIf not Azathoth, then Yog Sothoth.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe Shub Niggurat.
"Well, it's sort of like a goat."
I solemnly vow, if I am ever asked that question in any remotely interview-like context, I will stare at the interrogator with the ocular force of a pissed off beholder for a full sixty seconds, before answering, "One that doesn't ask stupid questions."
ReplyDeleteAlso I still want to know the best question you were asked, because I am sure that was not it.
ReplyDeleteI assume the idea here is to see how you handle out of the box thinking. Or they're messing with you. You decide.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was, in fact, modified by the phrase "as a [position in question]". So it's not like it wasn't specific, or anything.
ReplyDeleteI was also asked some pertinent questions in pertinent ways, it's just that that was literally the last question the last person asked me and I was gobsmacked. Which I gracefully handled by looking out the window which allowed me to turn my face away briefly in silence while trying to come up with a non-cutting answer. Which I managed, and might have made pertinent?
ReplyDeleteSummary of questions, not exact wording:
ReplyDeleteWould I be bored?
Why was I changing what I was doing?
How did I decide to apply for this?
Biggest achievement/biggest failure?
And the animal one.
P.S. Most of the applicants had done their homework, but the only person who asked us trivia was one of the we're-not-really-interviewing-you-we're-just-chatting-with-you (also, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you, etc.) folks. tl;dr I won. Would that was all I had to do.
ReplyDeleteI may have missed a memo, but what were you interviewing for?
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't said, 'cuz things 'n' stuff. But it's still in the general ballpark of healthcare.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
ReplyDelete