“Would you like to sit on the right or left side of the booth?” – he asked. That was music to my ears and I immediately knew this was love at first sight. I said it didn’t really matter, so we just randomly chose our seats and began talking. After about 15 minutes of getting to know each other, we started preparing for the assignment. As we had both arrived about one hour in advance, we still had a good 45 minutes to settle in.
We opened our computers to discuss terminology. He had created the most AMAZING glossary on a spreadsheet. By this time, I was already tempted to say “I love you”, but I was keeping my cool and trying to act blasé.
After the terminology check, he went to the restroom and came back with bottles of water for both of us. Heart rate at 100 and rising. My God, do people like this even exist?! And with a cherry on top: he asked how I liked to switch at the mic, if every 15, 20 or 30 minutes, and whether I preferred to start or not.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen…” – the M.C. began. My boothmate started interpreting. He had such a soothing voice. Lively, yet soothing. I could listen to him for hours without getting tired. He was resourceful, confident and calm.
After 20 minutes, I made a gesture signaling him that it was time to swap. He kept calm, finished a thought and looked at me as if he were saying “I’m done, the mic is now yours.” He had these sweet, generous eyes. As I started interpreting, he stayed in the booth and paid attention throughout, so he could offer support if I needed it. He did write a few words down for me, but never whispered any of them out loud.
Coffee break came and out we went for a sip of coffee and some snacks. This was my ultimate test. If he did well on the coffee break, he would move to the next level in my heart. And boy, did he pass the test! He was discreet, allowed the conference participants to serve themselves before we did and kept a smart distance from the agency’s client without being impolite. This man was the Frank Sinatra of the interpreters: cool, confident and sophisticated.
Back in the conference room, we continued interpreting throughout the morning in perfect synch. Our delivery was seamless. In the closing remarks of the conference, the speakers thanked and complimented the interpreters. He was as proud as I was, of course, but I could feel that it didn’t send him on an ego trip. He kept his feet on the ground knowing that we are mere service providers and not the stars of the show.
We said our good-byes while complimenting each other’s delivery and hoping for other opportunities to work together. When I put my head on the pillow that night, I couldn’t help but think of the amazing boothmate I had met and how his kindness and social skills made a difference in our workday. On the following day, I got on with my life: running errands and checking my emails. One of the hundred-plus emails was from him. Guess what? He sent me the updated glossary and once again thanked me for being a team player. That’s it. I’m divorcing my husband.
(For a discussion of other kinds of interpreters, read A Hologram, a Peacock or Sinatra – What Kind of Interpreter Are You?)
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