Lost in Translation

Last Friday I found myself lost in a conversation with my pilates instructor. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal but with her it is. She has a very thick carioca accent and speaks very fast. Despite my requests for her to slow down she continues to baffle me. Most of the time I get through class with minimal damage except for the occasional mix up of stepping back when I should have stepped forward. This happens to be a mistake I would make in English as well so I never worried about it. 

I have no problem communicating with anyone else in the studio except her. When I ask her to repeat, because I am concentrating on my workout, she gets flustered and then speaks really really fast. A few instances I have heard her comment about how difficult I am because I don't speak Portuguese. I have even heard her tell people that I don't speak any at all which is not true. These people then look at me with a confused look because we have already had a 15 min conversation in Portuguese together in the lobby. 

One time while I was working out my bill at the front desk, my instructor came up and started mixing in the conversation. We were doing great without her and then she came and confused everyone involved. Then she turned her head and said, it's so difficult to the lady sitting in the chair across the room. When she finally left the conversation the other girl and I just laughed because we both didn't have any problem communicating.

With the conversation on Friday she pulled the same crap by turning her back and telling a random person how difficult it is speaking to me. I jumped in and said I was sorry and that I really do try. Of course she just blew me off but I was pissed. I refused to speak to her the rest of the session for fear that I would blow a gasket. I then went home and cried. I understand that you might have to put in a little more work with me but I pay her really good. I am pregnant so I have to pay for private classes which means that I am her only student for one hour. So doesn't that mean she should at least be nice to me? 

Today was the first class back after Friday's incident and I no longer feel comfortable speaking with her. It almost seems that everything that she says I immediately cannot understand. Then I am so self conscious that I have trouble speaking. This has never really happened where I have been afraid to open my mouth because I can't say everything perfect. 

I am lost. I want to tell her that her behavior is unacceptable but then I cannot finesse the conversation it will be very blunt. I don't think that is the right solution. At this point it cost to much money to put up with it though. I want respect from her even if it is fake. Behind my back she can say whatever she wants. I think I might just cancel it all and not deal with it. Actually I think I will just reduce it to two days instead of three. Ugghhh! 

The sad part is, is that my Portuguese has made leaps and bounds in the past year. I told Claudia about the instance and she told me to hit her! Of course she was kidding but she even told me that my Portuguese isn't bad it's just not perfect. I love Claudia :) I want to take her with me everywhere I go in the world.

For those of you who speak Portuguese here is an example of a simple misunderstanding with my instructor:

Me: Estou com calor

Instructor: Que?

Me: Estou com calor

Instructor: Ahhh. Ta com calor. 

F-off. Because I didn't shorten the verb I got chastised? Seriously. 

I am lost still. I thought writing this out would help me solve the situation but it didn't. Maybe Friday's class will give me some insight. Maybe I will just stop being a baby and shrug it off. 

Off to cook lunch. 

Tchau,

Sara