As expats we've all experienced a moment or two of difficulty communicating an idea to someone in a foreign country. Most of the time it's a language barrier, but there are times when even those of us who speak the local language very well have trouble getting our thoughts across.

I've lived in various countries of South America for a total of over 17 years. I speak Spanish just fine. What I've noticed, however, is that in some countries it's difficult to explain abstract ideas. At times, you need a visual aid.

Enter my frying pans.

I like to use teflon frying pans under certain circumstances. Specifically, I use them when I make pancakes and fried eggs. I don't use stainless steel or other types of frying pans because I don't enjoy adding oil to my pancakes or eggs, and I use oil very sparingly with other foods.

My housekeeper, on the other hand, adds oil to everything. Lots and lots of oil!!!! Explaining to her that the food you're frying actually absorbs the oil is a nearly impossible task, because she can't actually SEE it happening.

Generally, the pan is filled with oil about 1/2 an inch deep (about 1 full cup of oil for my little frying pan). Into that oil she plops a single egg, which spatters and screeches to a greasy death in about 30 seconds.

There is so much oil left in the pan after the egg has been removed, that she can't see the difference. Therefore, she says, "Señora must be mistaken. There is still the same amount of oil in the pan."

I also like to cook a nice batch of perfect golden pancakes. You can't do that with a pan that requires oil. Therefore I take very good care of one specific teflon pan.

Enter my housekeeper.

She's a very good housekeeper. She likes to use a metallic sponge and vinegar to clean our pots and pans. I cannot complain - they do literally shine! Including my teflon pans, if she gets ahold of them.

I've explained numerous times that you cannot scrub a teflon pan with a metallic sponge. The teflon comes off and the pan then requires oil so the food won't stick. The conversation generally goes something like this:

"But señora, it's a pan. It must shine!"

"Yes, but this is a teflon pan. It's not supposed to shine."

"But señora, it's black. It must shine!"

"Teflon is black. It's supposed to be black. If you scrape it off, the food will stick."

"But señora, that's why we use oil."

I now have a new secret teflon pan. I hide my treasured teflon pan with it's beautifully smooth, shiny surface in ...well, let's not go there.