When I worked in a cigar factory, part of Gallaher Tobacco, I was called to see our factory manager. A character onown for practical jokes, no airs and graces. I sat down, he started to show me how to use his phone to record calls. I thought it was a wind-up.
“Cliff, are you retiring? Am I getting your job?”
Reply......
“Don’t be stupid, Turk. Have you had the letter? The main board had a security meeting and decided they wanted a Welsh speaker to talk to any Welsh threats of bombs or fire. You are the one here. Special Branch have your details.”
After some banter he showed me the details. No training in how to speak to the caller. I told him how I would do it.
First comments in Welsh then refuse point blank to converse further in Welsh, not happy that Welsh peoples lives were being threatened etc. To lengthen the call to possibly get clues. Thankfully I never had the opportunity to do it.
Turk......a nickname for people in Llanelli, my home town. One of many nicknames I had. Never offensive and based a lot on the Welsh terminology for naming people. Jones the milk was a milkman. Davies the Death was an undertaker etc..
Once, when flying out of Cardiff headed to Belfast on a work trip I was pulled by the Special Branch officer and questioned. It was a planned wind-up set up by Cliff. When I realised I switched to Welsh as a retort. Good fun and a nice coffee (but no biscuit).
I find the ability to swop language both courteous and fun. Even overemphasising the Welshness to parody the accent at times. I can do a good Gog accent based on an uncle who was a Vicar up in North Wales, ( we call North Waleans Gogs as North is Gogledd in Welsh.)
It is fun being Welsh. For a small cash contribution I can arrange partial Welsh status for you. No Scottish, Irish, Euro notes, though!
