Really, someday that high school French could come in handy...
October 25, 2010 6:11 PM Subscribe
What would be a great place to finally meet my penpal?
After keeping in touch for 20 yrs by post and email, my penpal is having a vacation in nyc and i'm really looking forward to meeting her (and her bf who's traveling along). However, given the worst case scenario that we are each only semi-fluent in the other's language (I think that's the case, but maybe she is a genius with spoken english), what would be a good activity/place to make this first encounter? Somewhere that doesn't require us to only talk (so..just meeting for coffee seems like a bad idea)but is equally generic so that everyone will enjoy.. Something with a bit of distraction, in case we can't think of anything to talk about!!! Extra points for an suggestion that will add to her nyc experience (she will be doing a lot of the touristy stuff, sans moi).
Feel free to suggest even the very obvious -- I'm stressing a little about the whole thing and have probably overlooked the simplest thing....
After keeping in touch for 20 yrs by post and email, my penpal is having a vacation in nyc and i'm really looking forward to meeting her (and her bf who's traveling along). However, given the worst case scenario that we are each only semi-fluent in the other's language (I think that's the case, but maybe she is a genius with spoken english), what would be a good activity/place to make this first encounter? Somewhere that doesn't require us to only talk (so..just meeting for coffee seems like a bad idea)but is equally generic so that everyone will enjoy.. Something with a bit of distraction, in case we can't think of anything to talk about!!! Extra points for an suggestion that will add to her nyc experience (she will be doing a lot of the touristy stuff, sans moi).
Feel free to suggest even the very obvious -- I'm stressing a little about the whole thing and have probably overlooked the simplest thing....
Best answer: Go to the Met! The Temple of Dendur is a beautiful place and plenty public, and if you're having issues with language there's plenty to see (historically and art-wise) that everyone can agree is amazing in the museum. Perhaps you could even select an exhibit that's based around her native region. They also have a lovely cafe if the language barrier isn't too bad and you want to sit down and chat. Definitely a must-see in New York in general that I'm sure she'll appreciate.
posted by libertypie at 6:33 PM on October 25, 2010
posted by libertypie at 6:33 PM on October 25, 2010
Best answer: serendipity 3. even if the conversation is awkward you can still slurp your frozen hot chocolate with total happiness.
but seriously...
museum of natural history?
who needs to talk when there's a freakin huge dinosaur skellz to look at?
posted by mittenbex at 7:55 PM on October 25, 2010
but seriously...
museum of natural history?
who needs to talk when there's a freakin huge dinosaur skellz to look at?
posted by mittenbex at 7:55 PM on October 25, 2010
Response by poster: All great suggestions...we ended up going out for Japanese, and then the next day to the Met and Central Park. Oh yeah, and bagels for brunch...the food thing became entertaining;who knew our diets would be so different??? We had a great time and I'm so glad I didn't chicken out on account of language nervousness...thanks to everybody :)
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:15 PM on November 14, 2010
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:15 PM on November 14, 2010
Response by poster: I forgot to say that my friend and s.o. had already done a few of the things you listed, hence why i didn't take your suggestion...but libertypie, the met really is just so full of sights and conversation-prompts, we never made it to the temple!
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:18 PM on November 14, 2010
posted by Tandem Affinity at 9:18 PM on November 14, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mlle valentine at 6:31 PM on October 25, 2010