My buddies from the old neighborhood have suggested it would be better to expand my English vocabulary before taking on a new challenge. They have a point, since it's difficult for me to read the New York Times without a dictionary. But in my old neighborhood, nobody understood those big words; they figured anyone who used them was putting on airs.

Our instructor is a young woman from Argentina. She tells us not to sweat the details-just learn the words and phrases, and everything will fall into place. During the first class we learn the basic greetings-hello, good morning-and phrases one might use in everyday conversation. The next day I stop at my favorite Mexican restaurant in town, and after ordering ask the guy behind the counter how much it is-in my best, newfound Spanish. He replies in Spanish, but since I'm a newcomer to the language I don't catch it. That's OK; in English he tells me it's eight dollars and change.

After lunch I walk down a few doors to pick up my dry cleaning and then hike out the back door toward the parking lot with the cleaning slung over my shoulder. As I get near the parking lot I spot two Mexican lads, who work at the restaurant, sitting under a tree having a soft drink. They recognize me as a regular customer and say hello in broken English, and I acknowledged with a wave of my hand. Then it comes over me: "Hola." Suddenly these two young men come alive, it's as if I have entered their world, like I'm a friend from their old neighborhood. "Como esta?" they ask, "How are you?"

What the heck do I say now? I'm being greeted by new friends and don't know what else to say. So I wave with a smile and walk to my car.

They must think I'm putting on airs.

When Frank isn't struggling with his Spanish vocabulary, he can be reached at fburge@cmp.com.