Hola Carleen,
Even after living for more than 5 years in the heartland of Mexico, after three years of high school Spanish and one year in college, the most Spanish that I offer up most days is "no puedo hablar Espanol," Por Que? "Soy muy muy perezoso."- (y/o arrogante Norte Americano o timido)
Although I am pretty good Spanish-wise with cognates and most anything to do with time, money, transportation, food, lodging, piedras,er, I mean rocks and mascotas (all of the survival stuff in my mundo).
Perhaps (ok, definitivamente!) the one Spanish phrase that I use in linguistically challenged social situations the most is "Maria, por favor, ayudame, ayudame, ayudame..."
Really liked your question and all of the responses that you have gotten.
Saludos,
Senor "None of the Above"
Last edited by Les-Mexico/Birds; 07/28/12 11:28 AM.