20
HOLA SENORITA

A newly-formed consultancy visited our office to discuss potential projects and their past industry experience. When my boss was introducing me, he mentioned that my role covered a few regions of the world including the Americas. I introduced myself (in my native-speaker English) and explained that I had covered various sales regions over the course of my career.
The meeting continued and the lead consultant fixated on me and explained all of their work in South America. She clearly thought I was either from South America or a Spanish-speaker or....I'm really not sure. For about an hour, I sat through the various anecdotes of all the Latin American markets she had dealt with and politely nodded along. She then insisted on getting my business card specifically so she could get in touch with and discuss more about the regional market. I was very confused since at no point in time did I speak Spanish, claim to be an expert on South America or give any indication that my sole focus was that market. After a slightly awkward meeting, we accompanied them to the main entrance to say our goodbyes. As she shook my hand, she said: "And as we say in South America, gracias". I went back to my desk and had a bit of a complex for the rest of the day. Did I have a Spanish accent that I was unaware of? Did I look like I was foreign? Was I unclear in my communication? The questions abounded.
My colleagues thought it was hilarious of course. I legitimately asked them if I was giving off a certain vibe or unknowingly developed an accent from a language I don't speak. They were equally confused and very amused by it all. Thankfully, I never got a follow-up email but I have been very careful in how I introduce myself in meetings from then on!