Translation Error

I got a letter from a charity a few months ago with a proposition. They wanted someone from my company to appear in a calendar for charity. They would even pay for it, so I figured it was good publicity and I would get my costs covered. The charity was to benefit young women, so I suggested to our receptionist that she appear in it.

Now, I should mention that my company is located in Thailand and most of my employees are Thai. And I don’t speak or read Thai so I rely heavily on those around me to translate.

The description of this charity was also in Thai and my assistant translated it for me. I didn’t much of it at the time, but there were different checkboxes to fill in about the event and with the help of my assistant I made sure to check off the “No nudity” checkbox.

My assistant brought the assignment to the receptionist and I forgot all about it until 2 months later when the photo session had already been done and the photos were delivered to me.

The photos were given to me in an envelope. I was delighted at the result when I pulled out the first one. I had never seen her in that much make-up but it looked good.

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I looked at the next one and did a double-take.

Was that … her breasts out on this photo?

I remembered the checkbox and was confused. At the time I guessed that it doesn’t count as nudity in Thailand.

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On the next one I was sure some mistake had happened, but I was not sure what it was yet.

I studied the photo for a while and then rang the buzzer under my desk.

My assistant opened the door after 1 second. “Yeeees?”

“Come over here, have a look at this” I said.

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“Wow” he said. “Nice picture”.

“Yes, but what is this? I didn’t think it was going to be nude pictures” I said.

“Not nude” he said and pointed to the scarf on her head and around waist. “Clothes”.

I took the next photo and couldn’t believe my own eyes. She was being penetrated, yet she was of course still wearing (some) clothes.

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“Oh no, is this normal?” I asked my assistant.

“No sir, not normal. Family dishonored”.

“Oh no” I repeated “But she accepted the assignment anyway?” I asked.

“Yes sir, but she was crying a lot. I told her she had to do it to keep her job”.

My assistant was always looking out for me and trying to make sure my wishes were fulfilled, although this time not completely according to my expectations.

I looked at the next one and it was more of the same.

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“Oh my” I said “I feel I must do something about this”.

“Yes sir?”

“Please, tell the receptionist to come to my office now” I said “And please, when you leave – lock the door”.

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