I went to a bubble tea place the other day. While I was talking with my two friends, another trio of Asian girls walked inside. I didn't think anything of it, but I heard them talking and, of course, immediatly recognized 普通话 (Mandarin Chinese). Mustering some courage (it's still hard, even after 4 years), I asked if they were Carlton students. They kinda just looked at me, said yes, and turned away. Awkward. Not the conversation I was hoping for.
I think I've been spoiled by people being impressed with my Mandarin while I was in China. Here, it is just another language. I think they also assumed my level was too low to understand what they were talking about (which, when they were next to me, wasn't true at all - I understood almost everything). I'm glad they didn't talk poorly about me, but with their attitude, they basically did.
I haven't studied Chinese since I came back. I want to pick up my textbook again and also read Peter Hessler - but I'm having such a good time with my friends back on campus and enjoying late nights talking with friends, studying Freud, etc. And just like that, I switch to 5 months of Chinese to 4 weeks of Freud and love.
Aw, sorry :/
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