Language Immersion
When I was out at a nightclub in Shanghai the other night, there was this inebriated Chinese guy who was making my gaydar go off in all kinds of ways. One second, he’s humping a male acquaintance in my group - and really, there is no other way to describe the scene except “humping” - the next, he’s grabbing my hand and leading me off the dance floor to his table. I am more than a little confused and he doesn’t speak English so using my barely passable Mandarin, I am able to deduce the following:
- He is not interested in the aforementioned target of his humping.*
- He is, in fact, interested in me, who he describes as “piao liang” (beautiful).
- He understands that I have a boyfriend (a fact that I communicate at least thrice), but he doesn’t mind!
- He would like to be an additional boyfriend of mine.
- Failing that, he would like to share a drink with me.
After he thrusts a full glass of booze in my face, I daintily do my “sip and ditch” move, which consists of faking a sip of alcohol and getting the fuck outta there to find my friends (who are actually able to speak Mandarin). I am, however, pretty amused by the entire situation and pleased with myself for being able to communicate with a native speaker all by myself.
If only I could improve my Chinese solely through interactions with strangers at nightclubs.
* He may have very well been bisexual, but I have no idea how to say that in Chinese, guys.
