Learning the lingo in Tonga 

I have been here for four months now, and I am starting to get the lingo down. 
For example, if someone says “maybe” that really means that there is a not a chance in Hades that it is going to happen. 
If someone says, “come back in the afternoon,” that in no way implies the afternoon of the same day. It means more than likely in the next day or so, most definitely before the weekend.   
If someone says “we will look into it” do not actually think that it is going to be on a “to do list” somewhere and someone will actually be looking into it. It is more along the line of, ‘I am going to smile at you and nod my head and you are going to go away feeling pretty happy and satisfied that you articulated your needs concisely and efficiently; but do not expect any measurable improvement of the situation.’   
These people are happy, and they never want to disappoint. They are loving and generous to a fault, but they do not think of “to do lists” the same way we might think of them; as something that needs to get done, but more along the lines of “Why are these Americans always wanting things done so quickly?  They are very bossy.”  
The nice Tongan man behind the counter is thinking, “We have lived a thousand years, and that thing was not done, so why is that thing so important now. 
“In fact, if I don’t do that thing, I bet the sun will come up tomorrow and the bakery will still put out hot coconut bread in the morning and maybe we would all be happier if I stop for a loaf to share with the office.  I think that is what I should do. 
“Why was that American talking to me?  He seemed like he doesn’t know about hot coconut bread because if he did, he surely would agree that getting a loaf of hot coconut bread is more important than fixing that old sink anyway.”  
I am also learning that when they give directions it is very important to ask the right question. 
Ask a Tongan how to get to the Bakery, “Should I go to the corner and turn right?” 
He will say, “Sure you can get there that way.” 
He will think, “Well why would you go that way?  Are you daft?  That is the opposite way, and you will have to make a U-turn.  But yes, you can get there that way.” 
Now ask, “Should I go to the corner and turn left?” 
He will say, “Sure you can get there that way.” 
But he will think, “Well why would you go that way?  Are you an idiot?  It is a very bad road and has lots of potholes and isn’t a very good route and will take you longer.  But you might eventually get there that way.” 
Now ask, “Should I go to the corner and go straight?” 
He will say, “Sure you can get there that way.” 
But he will think, “These Americans have no sense of direction.  Now I am sure he is daft.  That road doesn’t even go to where you want to go so you will have to turn at the roundabout and head the other direction and hope that you can find some parking because that road is blocked off.”   
Finally, ask the right question, “How do YOU get to the bakery?” 
He would finally say, “I would not drive to THAT bakery because you can get the good hot coconut bread by walking across the street to THIS bakery and there is no need to drive.  In fact, I was planning to bring hot coconut bread tomorrow, so if you just sit back and relax, I will bring you hot coconut bread in the morning.” 
Elder Torres, I am going to “look into fixing that sink” and going to add that to my “to do list”.