Years ago, a friend of mine came to the US for school as a visiting scholar. To help him out to get around the first couple of months, I always kept him company and did the interpreting for him whenever he had important errands to do, as he could barely talk in English and felt culturally alienated in this new continent. One day he asked me to go with him to AAA, nicknamed Triple A, for some paperwork.

As we were waiting in line for cue, he made a spontaneous suggestion, sort of spur-of-the-moment one. “What you say if let me do the talking? I think it’s an opportunity for me to test my English. If I can’t handle it, then you can step in.” (in Chinese) Being grateful for his can-do spirit, I said “okay”, even though I did have a little concern with his capacity to talk to the locals.

Being called, he approached to the counter where there was this well-dressed lady sitting behind. "How can I help you?" The lady made a courteous call with a smile.

“Ya. Umm…..is this……..Umm…..TROUBLE A company?” responded my friend with a quivering voice. I was happy for him that he finally launched his English conversation on his own, even in a bit outlandish fashion. But, wait! Did he say “trouble” instead of “triple?”

“What? I beg your pardon.” The lady first looked bewildered, then, before I could step in and mediate their conversation, she burst into a big laugh and said, “Yeah, actually you’re right. We’re “TROUBLE A”, ---- whenever people have trouble on the road, they come to us."