American English is confusing even to Americans. :lol:
Our country is so big we don't even use one standard version of English! One phrase can mean several different things as you travel from one region to another. The same word or phrase can even mean different things in different parts of just one state.
On top of that, we have made many words from other languages part of our own. (We know a good thing when we see one. ;) :lol: )
i agree with all the others. your command of our language is not only very good, it's better than many who have lived here all their lives.
as to the employees at the French Quick ... i'm certain they knew exactly what you needed. they were pretending to not understand in order to entertain themselves and embarrass you. the fault was theirs alone. they should have been ashamed of themselves. :hunf: