THERAPEUTIC THOUGHTS

Over on Facebook I notice that a friend hopes to be released from hospital soon. The view from his room is boring and industrial. Which is a good reason for wanting to escape.

On the other hand, I enjoyed my week in the ICU five years ago. There was a television with Hong Kong programmes in my room, and I discovered a stock report show featuring a bright young nerdy man with a pressed shirt, tie, and neat conservative blazer, and a fierce looking young lady obviously there for 'visual appeal', which would make it all 'approachable'. In every segment she would start asking him questions which he could not answer (but she could), and at the end of it he'd look deflated and rumpled. It was very entertaining.

[This was at SF Chinese Hospital. So of course cable teevee there would focus on Canto content.]

They released me on a Thursday, but I wanted to stay through Friday, as I looked forward to that young man's misery in the next episode. Couldn't find it on my regular cable at home, and in the year that followed I ceased my subscription because the real housewives of whichever horrible urban conglom are not must-watch entertainment.

Fierce looking missy holding her own and then some in a discussion of a difficult subject, however, totally is a must-watch.

'VISUAL APPEAL'

Many Chinese men assume that since they are men, they must be right. Many Cantonese women have grown up with brothers, and correctly assume that a man will sometimes be a complete idiot, and that there are reasons why a man frequently does stupid things.
And some of them are perfectly willing to explain that to the poor goober.
Patiently, comprehensively and at length, if needed.
It's very sweet of them.


My long-time girlfriend was Cantonese American and had four brothers. She still is Cantonese American, of course. We've remained good friends, to both of our credit.
There is a parity of stubborness in how we get along.


I've probably gotten worse since then.
She's likely gotten better.



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