Dr. Pepper?? or did you say Tissues?

I had what my friends and I call a "Singapore moment" the other day while out to lunch with my friend Lori.

We went to a Hawker Center (like an outdoor food court with local food for really great price-filled with locals usually). We were craving some good Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and other Asian specialty food. The English spoken at this Hawker center is ok, but not as good as most stores/restaurants-but the food is AMAZING and yummy.

We sat down to eat and I decided to go to the Drink stall and get us beverages. Lori's drink of choice? Diet Coke. My drink of choice...Dr. Pepper. LOVE IT! :)

So I head to the Drink man, and ask for a Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. He hands me the Diet Coke, then looks confused as to what I am asking for next. They sell Dr. Pepper in Singapore, I buy it all the time--but at the Hawker Center? I can't remember. So I say it slower, sounding ridiculous as I say it. "Doooocccttttooorrrr Peeeepppppppppppeeeerrrrrr". The man is not hard of hearing, so I am not sure why i am saying it in a louder voice. He was probably thinking "You silly American lady-i can hear you". He hands me another can of some other soda. I say "No, Dr. Pepper-it's a brand of soda. Red can" He hands me a Coke. I just decide to try the next Drink stall. So I say "no no. Nevermind".

A few doors down I go to the next nice little man, and say sweetly "Dr. Pepper please". He cocks his head...thinks for a moment...and picks up a bottle of water and tries to hand it to me. I say it again, stupidly, and describe it. No luck. He then smiles and his eyes light up...I think to myself YIPPEEE, he has it. He instead hands me a little packet of tissues. Tissues?? Dr. Pepper? WHAT??? Do the two words sound alike?? Am I speaking not clearly?? Am I on candid camera?? I then realize he must think I am sick (the word Doctor) and is offering Kleenex to help me??? I giggle, hand them back and tell him I'll have that bottle of water after all.

No Dr. Pepper today for me. :)