IT'S AN IMPORTANT SKILL

Tea time was a bit disappointing. Problem being that perhaps I don't quite understand elderly American Toishanese social norms. So I think I'll avoid the bakery during their hours for a few weeks. I am probably too sensitive anyway.

On the other hand, lunch was entirely enjoyable. Exactly the same company. Meaning that I ate by myself. Hong Kong style chicken curry and rice. Ocasionally one or two of the elderly American Toishanese of my ken also eat there, but I've seldom been there at the same time as them, so I haven't had to make conversation with them there. Instead I make a few light comments to the staff, drink my milk tea, observe other tables out of the corner of my ear, and head out to smoke a pipe.


The post-prandial pipe today was a Savinelli sandblast Canadian filled with red Virginia mixed with a little Turkish. Very solid. After a few minutes I moved from my spot at a nearby corner because the unwashed crazy person plonked a few yards over was talking too loudly to himself, and I worried that he'd go unstable. I suspect that business will make sure he isn't there next week, not because of me, but because he disconcerts little old ladies trying to enter. He was seated right next to their door.

But I am probably too sensitive.
I'm kind of stupid that way.

On the way from the bakery to the bus stop a passer-by greeted me. She knows me as a sporadic customer, and her English is virtually non-existent, unlike those eldery American Toishanese gentlemen who don't speak city Cantonese, being strictly local-born. Speaking Cantonese often opens gates of communication with people for whom English is still quite opaque. Elderly American Toishanese gentlemen don't need that, and sometimes act like they despise the concept. All communication should be laborious and attitudinal.
They're unquestionably absolute masters at that.


If English is your first language you likely don't feel inclined to socialize with random Dutch Americans. See, we don't know our place in the grand scheme of things.
And we're probably too darn sensitive.



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