ESL Blogs

I was sitting on the chair waiting for my client when a worried face broke into my field of vision. As I glanced at him on the sly, I noticed he had met some problems with his visa application.

I guessed he may be shy or what, after he called the staff there for twice he kept quiet with his face becoming red. Just then my client called me to tell me he couldn't come at 3pm. When I went into the computer room again, the man was still there and his face got redder.

How I wanted to help him! But I felt even more nervous than him. I dare not talk to strangers until I have to. But he really needed help as I could see. What can I do? What should I do? I was thinking and hesitating.

He called the staff for a third time, yet the staff was busy with the others and didn't hear him... I didn't understand why I went to him directly at that time, but I just did. "Excuse...me...sir, may I help you?" With my broken oral English, I stuttered and asked him.

"Yes," He nodded and was surprised, maybe also doubtful, "I don't know why I can't submit my application."

"May I have a look at your passport?" Oh, he is from London, UK. "Um...I think you don't need to renew your visa for now. You can stay here for a month, I mean until the middle of November."

"What about this date?" He pointed his visa and asked.

"This means you have to enter China before today but not the date you have to leave."

"Oh, I see. It's so kind of you for helping me." Finally he smiled.

"My pleasure."

"Excuse me...May I have your name, please?"

My client called me again, so I had to leave. "Unknown!" Said Mickey and ran away.

Now when I think about this thing, I still feel I was brave at that time, giggling. I guess the reason I offered my help was because I thought of Tim's words "Foreigners feel shy to open their mouths to ask help. So you should offer your help when they need proactively".

Tim is right, just be brave and offer your help.