Ok, so today was a long day. We had a staff briefing for 900 that started at 8:00am and finished just after 9:00pm - thirteen hours in a a ballroom with 900 of my closest friends. I am done in. So I am just going to tell another quick little story to put myself in a better mood before bed (it will be at my expense but it is great that all of you back home may get a kick out of it).
Like I previously stated, I like the Chinese for their directness. I find it refreshing....to a point. For some reason it seems, I have a face or a personality that Chinese people either find very comfortable or very pathetic (I have not decided which) because they will come up to me and randomly do/say the darndest things.
So there we were, walking around the Olympic green to check out some of the competition venues. Security is tight here in Beijing, so before even entering any park or venue, you have to clear what is called "mag and bag" - basically the same as airport security - bag screening and walking through that magnetic field thing. Well, when it was my turn I set every alarm off when I walked through (must have been my magnetic personality!). I was then frisked and had the metal detector wand passed over me by a young girl who was probably in her 20s. All was goimg fine, we were proceeding as normal, then all of a sudden as she was patting down my mid section she started rubbing my belly and giggling!
I was dumbfounded and couldn't believe what was transpiring before my eyes... so, being the culturally sensitive man that I am, I turned around to my 20 other colleagues who were coming through behind me and yelled out... "I think she just called me fat!!!!" , then I turned to her and in a loud voice yelled "Are you calling me fat????"
Well this set everyone in the tent off. The laughter was uprorious and the poor girl was beside herself in fits- covering her mouth while she laughed away. She responded "no! no! no! You are not fat". To which I replied, "You were rubbing my belly... clearly, you think I am fat." More laughter. Her friends then jumped in and explained that she thought I was good looking, not fat... to which I said, "Come on, I know the international symbol for you are fat! And the laughing doesn't help!" - and it went on. We all had such a good time. The volunteer staff here is amazing and they are so excited for the upcoming games. Those are the moments I focus on while sitting in the same chair for 13 hours... I laughed to myself about it repeatedly throughout the day today.
...and for the record, I have dropped 5 pounds since being here... I am clearly not fat. I may not be Chinese thin.... there is just a little more of me to love.
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2 comments:
I love it John!
Best story yet.
Your biggest loser friend (and winner),
Joce
Well, I just set down my game of "Pong" and figured out this blogging thing. Considering the ring tone to my cell is "You Can't Touch This", I not only demonstrate my time warp, but greatly appreciated the "stop, picture time" reference. Now, to further define my lack of response to your brilliance, I have only had my cell phone for 12 short months, and only have it because I was away from home and had to use a petri dish, I mean payphone, to call home. From the onset of your blog, I have anxiously been awaiting the display of you in a unitard. I keep reassuring myself, saying wait for 08.08.08, it will come. But which sport will be honoured with your representation? Track? Rowing? Wrestling? My vote lies with the latter. I envision a smackering from the equestrian team as well. LOVE LOVE LOVE the stories and stand by my claim years ago that you must be published. I loved teh starfish face, having seen it many years ago with the consumption of "the toe". Miss you and adore the stories as only you can tell them. Love Trina
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