Professor S__ has raised oblivious conversation to an art form.
Probably due the respect and polite regard that Koreans show the elderly, many older Professors here tend to preside over a conversation with their lessers, rather than participate in it. I generally have no problem with this, as I on the other hand-- as a good mathematician should-- prefer to spectate on conversations more than to participate in them. Sometimes though, I change my tact in a one-on-one conversation.
Though I have talked to him one-on-one for dozens of hours over the years I have worked with Professor S__, he has never heard a thing I have said. Why should he? He is old, always wears a suit, and publishes over 20 papers a year on topics as varied as his wardrobe.
He called my office the other day.
S__
Me
Hello?
Siggers.
Oh. Hi Professor S__.
I just got a paper accepted to the Who Cares Journal of Mathematics and need to write the abstract in French.
Ah, that should be...
Could you do it for me by Friday?
I don't really speak French.
I'll send the pdf to you today by email. You should have time to do it by Friday.
I don't really speak French.
Thanks. It will really help.
When I get the email, I run it through Google Translate. I wait two days so as not to make it so convenient, and send it back to him.
S__
Me
Hello?
Siggers.
Oh. Hi Professor S__.
Siggers, thank you for the writing. Your French is very nice.
I just ran it through Google Translate.
Very nice. From Canada, yes. I would like to invite you to lunch with Miss Lee and Miss Kim, and our members.
Now, I've explained to him before that you don't usually call people in your lab 'our members'. But, of course, he didn't hear me. Why should he, it is a direct translation of the of the Korean phrase, so it is correct.
S__
Me
Oh, thank-you. I would be delighted.
With our members.
Yeah, I always take my member.
Ehh...
Yeah. It's attached.
Haahh...
And really, even if it weren't, I have a feeling I would bring it to this lunch anyways.
I'm not.
Might get lucky. See you on Thursday.
Okay then. Second floor of the Global plaza.
See you then.
With our members.