"I am not a train"

[mendeleev 68]

My wife, discussing a problem with her daughter-in-law, tells me, "I am not a train." I say, "Huh, I don't understand stand. How can you be a train?" "Exactly", she says. I say, "A train is a transportation device, a person cannot be a train: what do you mean, I am not a train? Is it a idiom?" "Yes, it is a idiom. I am not a train."

OK -- what might she mean?

[mox 298]

My wife, discussing a problem with her daughter-in-law, tells me, "I am not a train." I say, "Huh, I don't understand stand. How can you be a train?" "Exactly", she says. I say, "A train is a transportation device, a person cannot be a train: what do you mean, I am not a train? Is it a idiom?" "Yes, it is a idiom. I am not a train."

OK -- what might she mean?

She just means she can't carry whatever load it seems she feels obligated to carry. If she's being burdened with too much work, for example. Substitute "work horse" for train and you'll get it.

[mendeleev 68]

Thanks, Mox. She was too exasperated with her DIL to take energy to explain to me. Given what's going on, it makes perfect sense.

[Brad and Vika 129]

One more example of cultural experience creating an interesting communication issue. Too funny.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Yes, as Mox stated, my Alla uses the phrase, "Jeffery, I not horse!" often. Russia ladies definitely have an opinion of where they draw the line with physical burden (in the company of their men). The first time I heard this we were coming home from purchasing groceries. We had eight bags and I asked Alla to carry a few. (Her share turned out to be zero.)

My wife, discussing a problem with her daughter-in-law, tells me, "I am not a train." I say, "Huh, I don't understand stand. How can you be a train?" "Exactly", she says. I say, "A train is a transportation device, a person cannot be a train: what do you mean, I am not a train? Is it a idiom?" "Yes, it is a idiom. I am not a train."

OK -- what might she mean?

She just means she can't carry whatever load it seems she feels obligated to carry. If she's being burdened with too much work, for example. Substitute "work horse" for train and you'll get it.

[Evgeniya 3]

One more example of cultural experience creating an interesting communication issue. Too funny.

I am Russian, but I haven't heard this expression. Maybe it is the same as "I am not a horse"

[Ana&D 0]

One more example of cultural experience creating an interesting communication issue. Too funny.

I am Russian, but I haven't heard this expression. Maybe it is the same as "I am not a horse"

I've never heard that one either. Interesting...

[slim 1,530]

So the "not getting along with the mother in law" thing isn't just for Americans.....

[Ana&D 0]

So the "not getting along with the mother in law" thing isn't just for Americans.....

Actually that is one of fundamental relationship conflicts in the Russian/Ukrainian culture. Husbands as a rule have problem with their MILs There is a huge number of folk stories dedicated to this topic...

[A_I_S 0]

Hmm...since you're all easily confused by the train idiom, what would you then make out of "Hold the watermelon"?

[NYGirl 0]

So the "not getting along with the mother in law" thing isn't just for Americans.....

Actually that is one of fundamental relationship conflicts in the Russian/Ukrainian culture. Husbands as a rule have problem with their MILs There is a huge number of folk stories dedicated to this topic...

Hmmmm.......my husband says that he has the best in laws ever and doesn't understand why there are so many jokes/hate towards mother in laws. He says that he's very lucky to have my parents as his in laws

Both of us originally from Ukraine

[Ilya R. 0]

Ive never heard "I am not a train"

I guess it depends what part of country she is from.

[Ana&D 0]

So the "not getting along with the mother in law" thing isn't just for Americans.....

Actually that is one of fundamental relationship conflicts in the Russian/Ukrainian culture. Husbands as a rule have problem with their MILs There is a huge number of folk stories dedicated to this topic...

Hmmmm.......my husband says that he has the best in laws ever and doesn't understand why there are so many jokes/hate towards mother in laws. He says that he's very lucky to have my parents as his in laws

Both of us originally from Ukraine

I know what you mean, my hubby-to-be is getting along extremely well with my entire family... Hm... that might have smth to do with the language barrier, though . I guess the "not getting along" thing is one of those ancient folk beliefs our culture is so full of.

[Ilya R. 0]

So the "not getting along with the mother in law" thing isn't just for Americans.....

Actually that is one of fundamental relationship conflicts in the Russian/Ukrainian culture. Husbands as a rule have problem with their MILs There is a huge number of folk stories dedicated to this topic...

Hmmmm.......my husband says that he has the best in laws ever and doesn't understand why there are so many jokes/hate towards mother in laws. He says that he's very lucky to have my parents as his in laws

Both of us originally from Ukraine

I know what you mean, my hubby-to-be is getting along extremely well with my entire family... Hm... that might have smth to do with the language barrier, though . I guess the "not getting along" thing is one of those ancient folk beliefs our culture is so full of.

Agreed to disagree....

[akdiver 3]

I am not a train."

It means you're not going for a ride.