I’m not sure if the acoustics are bad in France or if having 2 people in the household now teetering between two languages is taking a toll. Either way or both, Mati and I are having a trouble understanding one another in our native English language.

Monday, we were walking home from a successful and efficient trip to the Lavomatic where we laundered our clothes – for the first time in a month and a half.
Mati is 6’5”, as you know, which means his head is higher towards the clouds, obviously, and if he happens to turn his mouth away from my auditory receptors, it becomes increasingly difficult to hear him. Add to that, his propensity towards mumbling lately, since he’s always translating between the 2 languages and what you have, my friends, are the veritable ingredients for an impressive communication breakdown.

Yes, we were strolling home when Mati speaks to me but turns his head towards the subject he’s speaking about, a woman with a dog on leash, walking on the other side of the street.
I think I hear, “That dog is cross eyed. You don’t see that much in France.”
I look toward the dog and can’t understand quite how Mati was able to get that close of a look so I ask him to clarify, “Say it again baby, what did you say?”
He says, “That girl's got a cross on.”
Now I’m confused and a bit flustered at the significant effort I’m having to make in order to understand my best friend in my native language.
I’m used to this feeling in French but certainly not in English. The feeling is rather unnerving.
I say, “Baby, I’m not sure if it’s the acoustics, your mumbling or my ears are plugged, but please, what did you say?”
He bends down slightly and looks directly at me.
“That Girl’s Got Crocks On. You Don’t See That Much in France.”
We belly laugh in the streets of Rouen for 5 minutes.