Chinese people are so delightfully rude, are they not?

[Berni]

I was talking to a lady of Chinese origin the other day about this and she says it's because they find the English tendencies towards meaningless small talk, being apparently deferential whilst actually being passive-aggressive, humming and hawing, being indirect and not saying what they mean infuriating.

"Yes. I'm sure you're right," I said. "How was your journey in?"

[Brentwood]

I always find myself asking how their journey in was, or talking about how cold it is. I cringe as I hear myself saying it.

Next time i'm going to comment on their shoes

[Berni]

Or a gay (if they're women's shoes).

[Brentwood]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

specifically because the customer in Singapore was on his case about it.

'I don't need,' he declared, 'some f**king chinaman calling me all times night and day!'

This made me giggle.

[Berni]

basically saying she's a lesbian. :-(

This is the thing, b. So nuanced and multi-layered is English conversation that meaningless small talk about the weather, trains, etc is literally the only safe ground. Everything else is simply a minefield of potential offence.

[Berni]

to be rude and say things we find jaw-droppingly uncouth, I actually quite like her.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Berni]

various clients and bigwigs while trying to get them all to stand in the right place.

Yesterday, she pretty much shouted at some CEO or other 'NO! I didn't tell you to put your hand in pocket, did I? Get it out!"

He complied meekly. :hehe:

[Snin]

keep it simple cant go wrong...fancy a drink ? or jeeeez still suffering from last night