A weekend of weird encounters

I live a pretty ordinary life. My interests are running, Tennis, Kung Fu and culture. I don't spend lots of time out at night. Perhaps that's what makes this weekend so interesting.

On Saturday I went to Taichung to buy some clothes. I went to this shop in the night market, near the Taichung boys high school. The guy working was very helpful, although he came off as super gay. So when he was friendly and telling me what looked good on me, well it was a little uncomfortable, but not too bad. I found a great jacket, hand made in Japan and everything. But I had already bought a couple shirts and another jacket so I was out of $$. I resigned to come back the next day.

On my way home I decided to take a cab to get me the one mile back to the train station. I had a date to get to at 6 and did not want to be late. The cab driver asked me where I was going and volunteered to take me the whole way for $500NT. No way man too expensive. I got the price down to $420, and by that time he had already changed his route. More expensive than the train, but worth it if I wasn't going to be late.

So we talked, obviously in Chinese. The conversation came to women and he spent some time telling me how the women here, Taiwanese girls, really, really like US guys, especially the ones like me: so young and able to speak Chinese. He tells me about how he overheard his daughter talking with her friends about exactly this.

Later on he asks for my number, saying he'll introduce me to some girls and then I can give him a red envelope. Red envelopes are traditional Chinese gifts given out at New Year's time: they contain money. Sometimes a lot of money. He says yea, I'll introduce you to some pretty girls and if you get married you can send me a red envelope, you know what I mean? Of course, yea, I know what a red envelope is.

I get out of the cab, after he gives me his phone number, I go to meet my friend. I tell her about my weird encounter - she reveals the cab drivers true identity: a pimp. OH MAN! I did not see that coming. Maybe you did, but come on, this is my second language and Chinese always ask strangers questions about girlfriends and marriage, so the conversation was quite natural. Then the hints he was dropping, I mistook them for questions testing my knowledge of the culture. Incredibly naive, I admit, but now wiser for the experience.

The weekend was not over yet. I returned to Taichung to pick up my jacket the next day. On the way in two guys approached me asking about who I was and if I liked to go out to bars and clubs in Taichung. Then asking for my contact info, hoping to take me out sometime. They didn't look gay, but I have two guesses: they are either into me, or they want to take me to a club and use me to attract women. Why else would two random dudes come up and try to make friends like that? Seems odd to me.

Back at the store the same guy was working, "帥哥" (Shuai Ge) - Handsome Brother, he announced with enthusiasm. He was busy helping out three Taiwanese guys shopping around. He engaged me in friendly conversation, a bit on the over friendly/ enthusiastic side. The Taiwanese guys all laugh.. "like look at the gay dude hit on the foreigner, oh man." ~Awkward~ It gets better, kind of. I pick up the coat and try it on again, nice fit. Okay, lets buy it. But the guy wants to get my photo taken first to post it on the website, oh man. He says he's going to put it on the home page if I don't mind. I'm flattered, but feeling a bit awkward.

I guess I should be flattered, right. But it's awkward to be hit on, or just think you're being hit on by guys. I mean, it'd be nice if women were just coming up to me and asking for my MSN/ phone number all the time. I guess that does happen on occasion, but this weekend was somehow off.