An Impromptu English Lesson
My husband, Richard, and I ducked into a supermercado to escape the sun in broiling Santarém, Brazil, in December 2025. The ceiling fan and a guaraná soda did not entirely refresh us, but we enjoyed sitting at a small table, watching the hubbub of local shoppers and staff. We noticed a young woman restocking shelves, wiping down tables, and, while mopping the floor near us, she suddenly said, “I pay you give me English lesson.” I said, “Yes! No pay. Now?” She still had to work, so we agreed to come back at noon.
