Reporter's Diary: When not appearing to know local language helps

For instance, if a person is dressed in a modern attire, she is expected to understand only English. But it turns out to be a boon for reporters as eavesdropping is so much easier. 

Recently, when this reporter went on an assignment to a government office hoping to meet an official who had been avoiding her calls for days, she thought it would be a good idea to meet him at his office. 

It was a few minutes past lunch hour and expectedly, a long line of people waited for a brief chat with the officer. After nearly half an hour of her handing over her visiting card, two men emerged from the official’s room, engaged in a serious discussion. 

This reporter gestured to them, wondering if there would be more delay. One of them told the other in Tamil, “Shall we tell her, he is out on a meeting?” The other replied, “That’s what sir would have asked us to say too.” 

They soon translated the same in English. The reporter smiled and left saying, “Thank you, shall I come tomorrow then? (The latter half of the sentence in Tamil).” She couldn’t wait to catch the expressions on the men’s faces. — Janani Sampth , Chennai