Funny, and not so funny, how names and nicknames translate literally and culturally. We were in the big city (Portland) looking for our next truck. I love vehicle shopping but dislike dealerships. But, we were there, at a dealership.
The first one to swoop in for the kill was the most handsome man I have ever seen. Tall and slender with the persona of military leader, he was that person who immediately made a man or woman want to be liked by him. His hair was dark and his eyes were black. His skin was as dark as my left arm when it is severely tanned.
Before you ask... no. I am not and I suspect he was not either. But I recognize handsome, and so did my Wife.
The man had a deep, gracious sounding voice that didn't hurt his overall charm. His first name was Magot.
Try to imagine keeping a six-year old, precocious, homeschooled, 100% boy, from giggling like he was in a cage full of Malemute puppies upon hearing that name.
Patty had him by the hand but was having no luck with the motherly sshusshing. Our new friend started to speak but I held up my hand and said I'd get a handle on it.
I told Jake that it is fine to chuckle about something that is truly funny like a cartoon or a joke book. But laughing about something you don't know about can be very embarrassing.
I asked Magot where his family was from. He said he was born in Iran, but had been an American Citizen for two years. I pretended that I had suspected as much and heaped on a bunch of baloney about how there are a great many lranian baby boys that are named Magot to honor a great General who had lead the armies that fought off Attila The Hun. I said it was as much an honorable name as George would be in this Country, as in George Washington.
His eyes were wide and he offered a solemn apology. I told him he would learn all about it as soon as he could read grownup books.
We didn't buy a truck that day. As we were leaving, Magot led me aside and out of sight before slapping me on the back and congratulating me on how full of shit I was. He said he had to really dig deep to keep his composure during the whole show. Said I oughta sell cars for a living.
Jake was about 12 when I told him why I did it. I think he learned a lesson.
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