You know, we just can’t seem to shake it.
Chinese I mean. We’ve got a lot of stereotypes. I’ve written about it before. http://kumvera.blogspot.com/2007/05/robbed-blind.html
Our family seemed to always have fought them ( we grew up in Wallaceburg, none of us are doctors, lawyers, and sure, maybe two of us went through engineering, but look at what we're doing...) . But the reality is, we just cant’ seem to escape them because it just runs in our blood ( see my brother KK’s evidence http://themintmansion.blogspot.com/2009/04/cousins.html)
Consider this exchange that I had with Teddy, our housemate....(who lives in the chicken koop...but that is another story) the last few days.
Sunday: I had walked into our living room one day to see him watching a Zambian karate match on TV. Thinking it was a harmless joke, I said, “eh, Teddy, I’ll teach you this.” “ OH YAH!? I want to learn”
“no on, I’m just kidding, I don’t know, but everyone thinks I know."
Monday evening: I’m working at the kitchen table, and Teddy pulls up a chair. “ so, sister Ka-Hay, when are you going to teach me the “ insert a few hand jabs into the air “ these moves”.
“ uhhh what?”
“you know, the KA-La-Tey” .
“oh ya. Sorry teddy, I’m very sorry. I was just kidding”
“AAAAAAH…no. no no. come one. I really want to learn”
“Ya, I’m sure you do, …..but really I don’t know.”
“ah, no, please please. Please teach me. I can to learn….”
“ and…I know these “ and makes the gesture of bench pressing “ and I can teach you how to do them". Seeing as he had a bandage on his left eye last week because he had dropped the bench press bar on his face…that didn't necessarily sweeten the deal....not that there really is one. And hey, what’s he saying…that I need to do some weights? shit....i'm getting soft.
“ Sorry teddy. I was really just joking when I said I knew. I don’t know. not a bit! Have no idea! Sorry. sorry. Did I disappoint you?” I was expecting the typical Zambian polite response.
“ah, BAD. Very BAD” shaking his head and shoulders slumped. interesting, I think we have a pretty open and trusting relationship.
Tuesday: Teddy is in the kitchen, doing dishes. I walk in.
"Hey teddy, how’s it going?"
“So, you really are not going to teach me?”….
I'm starting to feel really bad now. Anyone have a quick 12 step guide to ka-lah-tey they can lend me? I need to put him out of his misery.
2 comments:
Ha Ha. very good story you let me to read. Please sent my regards to Teddy.
Dad and I never wnated your 4 guys to be the Lawyer. Because I kam knowing that most Lawyers are wantint ot make the big money to find the good reasons to work on their customers. They don't work on the real situation.
But we hope your guys can be the Dr. Because the Good Dr can help the sick people and bring the happiness to the family." Save the life first". when you have good healthy, then you can do any thing what you want.......
But we are happy to look at that: " Even thoguh your guys are not to be the Drs. But you are good people. you can use your education and soke tools what we gave you to independentce by your self. Don't need keep to depend on us. And your guys have the happy life and kindness heart for the people.It are enough for us. We are very prouding for your 4 guys.
Love. MAMAMIA
Geez. I thought you were Asian? How can you say that you don't know kung fu??? It's in your blood, man! You don't even know that you know kung fu, but rest assured...you know kung fu. It comes as naturally as breathing or eating...or ping pong for us Asians.
Man. You're a disgrace.
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