A sensitivity to my own language

{Disclaimer: This post contains vulgar language. It does not in any way shape or form express my personality but it is the only way I can truly portray this particular incident and the thoughts I have surrounding this topic.}

Perhaps I’ve adapted to the western culture too much, but I’ve really gone sensitive to the Chinese language, in particular swear words and the need to speak loud unnecessarily. Swear words aren’t nice in any language but I would argue they sound the worse in Cantonese. Don’t get me wrong, I am proud to be a Cantonese speaker but when I hear people arguing in Cantonese throwing up swear words left and right, I cringe and partly wish I didn’t understand. If you’re a Cantonese speaker, you will probably understand where I’m coming from. Somehow, swear words in Cantonese has the ability to be make the most insulting insults.

I arrived to work ridiculously early today unready to tackle yet another boring day at my internship. As soon as I got out of the car and began walking towards my office, I noticed a lady maybe in her 40s and a older male taxi driver talking to each other with aggressive looks on their faces. At first glance, I didn’t notice much because as you probably can tell, Chinese people tend to sound like they’re yelling at each other even when it’s a normal conversation.

Anyhow, as I got closer I realized they were furious with each other, thus yelling so loud the guy from the next block could probably hear them. Being my nosy self with so much time left before I had to be in the office, I stood at the corner with earphones in (but no music actually playing, obviously) and eavesdrop into the argument. I only got the jist of the argument, something about the lady not having change to pay for the cab and the taxi driver getting angry. It doesn’t matter what the plot of it was anyways, what I want to explain is what happened following.

Neither party made any aggressive physical gestures but I could argue the verbal aggression that was thrown around is much worse. Swear words such as diu (fuck), diu lei lo mo (fuck your mother), hum gah chan (I hope your family goes bankrupt), chi sin (insane), were yelled out effortlessly. To my surprise and disappointment, the lady was the more vulgar one and continued to throw out insults without any reaction or response from the taxi driver. She said two things that really stood out and made me cringe (directly translated);

  • If you want to fu** my mom, she’s at home right now in (this area of the city), why don’t you go over there and do it?
  • If you have a mental problem, why don’t you go to the mental asylum to seek help?

Maybe it’s a gender bias or a false stereotype. Maybe it’s because I expected a lot more from a educated (from the looks of it) lady compared to a male taxi driver but I really did not expect those words to come out of her mouth. I was tempted to record it with my iphone (I could be the next YouTube star!), but decided to ditch the technology and embrace the situation.

Some might argue it’s the culture and we must accept it, or at least try to accept it. I am sure  incidences as such would occur all over the world but I can’t wrap my head around it. Saying those things are rude and unnecessary. When I hear people like that almost everywhere in Hong Kong, it frustrates me and makes me wonder, do I really want to live here in the midst of all these people?

Perhaps instead of avoiding people like that, I need to accept them, love them and show them the right way to behave, just as God accepted us for who we are and all of our sinful natures before trying to mold us into who He wants us to be.

Conclusion? Harder said than done.

Any thoughts? Have you experienced something similar with your own culture/language?

Count down for the remainder of the summer

3 weeks and 2 days till the end of this crappy internship.

3 weeks and 3 days till my next boat trip.

3 weeks and 4 days till Olivier Gagnon and I take over HK.

4 weeks and 4 days till Liz Fisher joins the party in HK.

6 weeks and 1 day till I’m reunited with Darius in NYC.

7 weeks until I’m reunited with The Ninja Fort and thus, begin my final year at Emerson in Boston.

Shortly after 7 weeks…. I’ll be back on my broom playing with Emerson College Quidditch.

Did I mention 3 weeks and 2 days till the end of this crappy internship? I’m ready to not sit in a freezing office for 9 hours a day feeling uncomfortable and unwanted. Counting down by weeks is much more satisfying than counting down by days.

These count downs are keeping me sane. So many events and people to look forward to! Thank you God! As for now, I am blessed to be spending time with my family and friends in Hong Kong.

Read for 5 reasons why you aren’t chasing your dream. Incredibly well written and once you’ve finished reading, you’ll find that passion in you to strive for your dream again- but this time- don’t let it fade away. Hang on to it and remember,

The only thing holding you back is you.

I’ve been reading blogs after blogs all day because I have had no work at my internship. Though I would love to reblog many of them, this is one I couldn’t resist to share. It’s something everyone can relate to and this piece of wonderful writing reminds us that during rough times, it’s going to be OK.

We struggle with fights with our friends, we worry why this friend or that friend aren’t talking to us, we get angry because our friend is spending all their time with their boy/girlfriends, but at the end of the day… why worry? The ones that truly care about you WILL contact you and WILL keep in touch. Those are the people that matter the most.

The use of umbrellas; rain or shine

The one thing that intrigues me and yet frustrates me over and over again is the use of umbrellas when the sun is shining and there is not a drop of rain to be felt. The simplicity of the photo below speaks just that.

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It was a beautiful day. My parents and I went for lunch in Ap Lei Chau and decided to go for a walk after indulging in cheap seafood goodness. As I walked past this lady, I stopped and just stared (Sorry, that’s probably a bit rude but she couldn’t see me anyway). Of course, my first thought was, this would be an epic instagram shot! Followed by, how is the umbrella so still? It doesn’t look like she’s holding it steady with her hands because her hands are on the book shes reading. How odd. I took the photo, smirked and walked away as if that was not an unusual sight.

Which as a matter of fact, is true. It wasn’t an unusual sight. I’ve grown up in HK and it still blows my mind when I see 50% of the people out on the streets holding an umbrella when the sun is shining. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. I understand they don’t want to get dark and it gives them more of a breeze with the umbrella. But that doesn’t stop me from getting frustrated and angry when I’m trying to walk down the street and these umbrellas are smacking me in the face left and right.

Even if you’ve never been to Hong Kong, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. A lot of Chinese people do the same everywhere they travel. Although I wish it didn’t occur as much as it does, I’m proud of it and merely laugh about it. As long as they don’t get in my way, I’ll be okay.

So the next time you walk down the street on a sunny day with an umbrella, think of me and maybe you’ll close it and embrace the sunshine. You won’t regret it.