Was at a reception last week and had just finished dinner so I turned to one of the waiters, there were a few of them on hand, and said :
“Can I have a glass of water please”
He looked blank so I repeated it a bit more slowly this time.
“Can… I…. have…. a glass of water please” His face was puzzled incomprehension.
So I thought perhaps his English is not good and I said eagerly.
“Pani please?”
His face lit up and off he went.
A whole five minutes later he was back carrying a little plate with a teaspoon on it and the smallest pot of ….honey !
You could have knocked me over! Is my Hindi that bad !!
Pani – honey ??
I put the honey pot in my bag, and couldn’t stop smiling all the way home.