# taz.de -- Der Kellner

	# taz.de -- Der Kellner

	> Wie machen Sie das?

	Rocco Barbini ist Italiener und arbeitet im Pazzi X Pizza in
	Berlin-Neukölln. Dort, wo alle Kellner immer Englisch sprechen – in der
	deutschen Hauptstadt! Der CDU-Politiker Jens Spahn findet das doof.

	taz.am wochenende: How do you interact with customers, who speak German?

	Rocco Barbini:Normally we don’t speak a lot with the customers, because you
	train your ear, the questions are always the same. They ask me for ice
	cream, for coffee, where is the bathroom, and such things. When I don’t
	understand something, they switch to English, because everyone speaks
	English here in Berlin.

	Has there ever been a person, who only speaks German, and you had
	difficulty communicating with them?

	Once some children asked me for something, that I never use – a straw. I
	didn’t understand. In these situations I have to use my body language to
	communicate.

	A few weeks ago, Jens Spahn said that more waiters should speak German.

	I agree with this politician. The people, who come to Germany, they should
	at least try to learn German.

	Do you think that working here has helped you learn German?

	Up to a certain level. I’ve learned everything about the things, we need
	to know here. Words like Eis, Kugel, Tisch, Stuhl, Sahne, Kase, Bisteck,
	Butter. And the numbers.

	Have you ever felt really embarrassed, because you can’t communicate really
	well?

	A lot of times. One time someone got really angry with me, because I asked
	them to repeat three times, and she started to scream. That time was the
	worst point. For me it’s a challenge working, I never worked in gastronomy,
	I always worked as an architect. I decided to leave my job in Italy and
	come here. Sometimes it’s hard, but if you find impolite people, it’s even
	harder.

	Interview Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian

	9 Sep 2017

	## AUTOREN

	Bethany Allen

	## ARTIKEL ZUM THEMA