what should an american woman say to an afghani man?

today i walked into one of the ghetto shops in wood green, london. they had this unique selection of watches, many of which were very boho chic. fyi, i have decided that boho chic is my new stylistic goal and theme. as i was selecting them from behind the glass counter, i could tell the shop worker had a very thick accent. strangely enough, i am now in the habit of using my best british accent (still horribly pitiful) when i hear a thick accent or broken english. its because british english is what they are learning to understand and american english just makes life too difficult when all you want is the correct watch. as i was trying the watches on i casually asked the man where he was from (a very common question in wood green). he said afghanistan. then asked where i was from. i said the united states. then we stood there looking each other in the eye.

i wasn't sure where to go from here...

"sorry about invadiing your country"
"i hope no one in your family has been killed"
"do you want me to just turn around and walk out of this shop?"

i went with "i hear afghanistan is beautiful"

okay, it was a lie. i have never heard that. but i am sure it is. i have yet to visit a country that is not spectacular in its own way. so, i felt it was a safe guess.

he replied that it was and asked if i had been there. i said no but that i would very much like to... someday... in a few years...when it would be safe for me. this is mostly true, i would go almost anywhere, given the resources and opportunity.

he offered to knock one third off the watch i was looking at.

i bought two watches. he gave me new batteries for both and a one year guarantee.

i consider this a diplomatically successful afternoon. i think he is the first afghani i have met. i wonder if i am his first american, as we are not abundant in the wood green area.