Lost in...Not...Translation?

I had a funny cultural experience today. I went to Office Max to pick up some materials to get organized (file folders, etc.) because, let's be honest, my room is a mess. After picking up a organizer for folders, I was directed upstairs to find the actual manila folders. Upon climbing the stairs, I was greeted by an employee who asked me if I needed any assistance. I replied, "Sí, estoy buscando unas carpetas"--"carpetas" being the word for "folders" in Spanish. The employee confidently ushered me to an aisle packed with 3-ring binders. He pointed proudly to the vast array of 3-ring binders and pronounced, "Las tenemos de varios tamaños." (We have them in various sizes.) It became obvious to both of us that there was a communication breakdown when he was pointing me towards 2" binders and I was explaining that I wanted "carpetas" that were very thin--thin enough to fit about 50 in my holder.

And then something clicked inside the employee's mind. "Ahhhhh, ¡quieres 'folders!'"

"Sí, quiero...'folders!'" I responded...slightly bewildered and smiling.

And there you have it. Translation was against me. I don't know what to think of those times when American culture bleeds through Mexican culture to the point that it actually over-rides it. This becomes very evident in language (i.e. Spanglish), as was my experience today, but is manifested in many areas of Mexican culture. Many Mexicans are frustrated by it. Many submit happily. As an American who hopes to be more Mexican with time, I can only continue to note which areas of Mexican culture have been preserved and which areas have been replaced by North American influence.

Needless to say, for future trips to the office supply store, I will present a confused smile and inquire confidently, "¿Dónde están los folders?"