The other day I was quietly enjoying my pipe when I got roped into a conversation. One of the other patrons recognized me, and promptly told his friends "hey, HE speaks Cantonese, ask him!"
That, usually, makes me a little uncomfortable. There's a lawyer who hangs out there occasionally who also speaks Cantonese, and tends to make fun of my atrocious pronunciation. As well as an investment banker who speaks far better Hong Kong Canto than any of us.
In all honesty, my ability with the language is better in the reading department than in speech, and I only say that because the other two gentlemen can barely read one word of Chinese, if that.
I am a smart kwailo; can read, can write too!
A fabulous monster in all ways.
But I speak crappy.
The other reason I don't like being the go-to encyclopaedia of all matters Asian is that too often that means having to explain things in detail, for clarity and comprehension, to people whose interest is passing and superficial, and who often are complete pills conversationally.
The question was "are Cantonese women beautiful?"
A quick and to the point answer is "yes".
But "no" is equally valid.
A more nuanced answer would be "some are, some aren't; those who are aware of their attractiveness often aren't". That goes for all women, by the way.
Yes, they're beautiful. And no, they aren't. If you love someone, she's beautiful. It seldom really works the other way around. Men who are attracted to "beautiful women" often go for bland and vacuous, with perfect features and a physique that meets their exacting specifications. What they end up with is a woman whom they don't know, and probably wouldn't actually like if they did.
If they like Asian types exclusively, what they find is a generic Asian.
If you love someone, she's beautiful. I tend to think that that means she has spirit, character, and generosity. My ex is a good example of that. No, she's not a classic beauty by any means. And some of her facial features aren't nearly as Audrey Hepburn-esque as she would have preferred them to be.
She never thought of herself as beautiful, or even pretty.
Which is rather sad, because she was beautiful. She still is. She has spirit, character, and generosity. That's why despite our relationship having ended I still like being around her.
Why on earth she still associates with me baffles the hey-ho out of me; it's probably her generosity.
And yes, I know she looks good.
She's beautiful.
WELL-TEMPERED STUBBORNNESS
Many Cantonese women, especially as they get older, cannot be described as quiet little bland blah types. Which is a good thing.
There's a streak of obduracy entrenched in the Cantonese soul.
Cantonese women tend to be less 'subtle' than many other East-Asians, by which I mean that they are less likely to hide what they think behind a veneer of bland smiles and polite gibbering. They have the conditioning and mental blocks which modulate and filter, just like everyone else. But if they think you're a fool, don't be surprised if they treat you like one.
They might be a bit short-tempered; it's a Cantonese characteristic.
Four Cantonese women work at one of my favourite restaurants. None of them are beautiful. But all four of them are extremely beautiful. The grandma is beautiful, she has the three characteristics that make her so, plus a gentle humour. Both of the overweight women are too; they also have those traits. The scrawny one with teeth is particularly beautiful, because additionally she has an interest in history and literature.
The women who work at my favourite dim sum hole-in-the-wall are beautiful too. The two middle-aged ones have a vulnerability to their eyes, as well as spirit, character, and generosity. The boss-lady has a profound sense of decency and honesty, along with spirit, character, and generosity.
The young pregnant woman at another food place is also beautiful. Smart-aleck, and full of piss and vinegar. Yes yes yes, she also has those three things that you are probably tired of hearing about by now.
If you understand what I'm getting at, you already got it.
There is no need to beat the horse to death.
If you didn't, you may be dull.
A few days ago I saw someone waiting for the bus whom I knew years ago. She's my age, and colours her hair now. Which is a vanity one should not begrudge a woman. She looks as beautiful as ever.
Unfortunately I should have recognized her sooner.
I didn't have a chance to say hello.
Her smile was ever lovely.
Probably still is.
ARE CANTONESE WOMEN BEAUTIFUL?
Look, sonny, if you're asking about their sex-appeal, I cannot possibly answer that question. Maybe you have a thing about breasts, legs, or bottoms, or you're a fetishist into a particular physical or ethnic type.
Perhaps you have several mis-informed ideas about docility and subservience.
Cantonese women are not particularly docile and subservient.
And they've got some fearsome tongues on them.
Might cuss you out good.
Are Cantonese women beautiful? If they like eating with you, they are.
People who love food are always beautiful, whereas folks with hang-ups and long lists of what they will not touch are insufferable.
In any case, why are you asking?
==========================================================================
NOTE: Readers may contact me directly:
LETTER BOX.
All correspondence will be kept in confidence.
==========================================================================
No comments:
Post a Comment