For our non-Vietnamese-speaking friends, there are certain linguistic misunderstandings which become a part of daily life in Saigon. To the untrained ear, for instance, sao, xạo, xấu, sau and xào might as well be the same word. Though some are more proactive at learning the local language than others, there are a handful of misunderstandings which often create minor, everyday problems for the non-native speaker, often to hilarious — and sometimes frustrating — results.
For one expat in particular, the words “không đường” have been particularly difficult. Perhaps it's not the pronunciation so much as the reaction of a foreigner speaking Vietnamese, but either way expat Jeremy Ginsburg has experienced one misunderstanding often enough that he chose to pen a song about the experience with one simple message: please stop putting sugar in my coffee. And in my tea. And on my french fries. And everywhere.
[Video via YouTube user Jeremy Ginsburg]
