Archive for April 17th, 2006

Some people need a life!

General | Posted by Terence
Apr 17 2006

Time and time again I get pestered on IM by people whom I don’t know – time and time again, they also don’t get the hint that I prefer to be left alone. Below is an excerpt of such a conversation (mostly in Chinese).

What impresses me is the persistence of such people – not to mention limited English vocabulary (in this case, ‘hi’). This all presents a rather worrying case for the future of our present youth, some of whom really need to get off their backsides and do something useful with their lives.

(14th April)
1:30:10 PM other guy: hi
1:37:51 PM other guy: hi
7:59:26 PM other guy: hi
10:33:32 PM other guy: hi

(16th April)
3:19:15 PM other guy: hi
3:19:38 PM me: hi
3:19:58 PM other guy: 你好
3:20:54 PM other guy: ?在做甚麼
3:22:49 PM me: 在办公室…. 这几天特别忙
3:23:09 PM other guy: ok
3:36:47 PM other guy: hi
3:38:11 PM me: ?
6:37:08 PM other guy: hi
6:43:57 PM other guy: hi
6:44:32 PM me: hi….
6:45:20 PM other guy: ?你做咩工作
6:47:18 PM me: 做網站
6:48:04 PM other guy: 哦
6:48:47 PM other guy: 你幾多?歲了
6:54:31 PM me: 24
6:57:23 PM other guy: 你在家
6:58:56 PM me: no… in office
6:59:36 PM other guy: 復活節無假嗎
7:04:48 PM other guy: hi
7:07:30 PM me: 我係北京工作…. 呢度冇復活節
7:08:18 PM other guy: 哦
7:08:58 PM other guy: 你香港人來
7:11:56 PM me: yes … 香港來既
7:12:10 PM other guy: 哦
7:12:15 PM me: 做咩時時 hi 呀? hi 係未開始偈先用既
7:13:08 PM other guy: 你做咩工作
7:15:13 PM me: 妳問左我 lor….

做網站啊….

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Tips for Americans

United States | Posted by Terence
Apr 17 2006

That’s right, there’s now an organisation called Business for Diplomatic Action whose goal it is to “see the day when America is once again admired as a global leader and respected as a courier of progress and prosperity for all people” – admittedly a big goal considering that much of the world’s poverty and chaos only exists becuase of failed self-centered America-centric foreign policies by the US government.

Amongst the focuses of the organisation are attempts to dispel the stereotypical view of foreigners that Americans are (and I quote) : “arrogant, loud and unwilling to listen, and a threat to their national cultures”.

I believe that’s a bit harsh : not all Americans are loud and obnoxious, although you will find a fair share of them backpacking around Europe and Australia… and you probably don’t have to look hard. Just a few quick tips from me: we’re not blind nor deaf nor thick – you don’t have to glow, shout, or be blunt. We may speak with funny accents but heck so do you, so get over it. And finally, yes, some people have two taps – now for crying out loud it’s not the end of the world. Things may be done differently abroad and that doesn’t make you superior.

If you can handle that then you’re doing good. Now just remember to bring wads of cash, and spend it on our economies.

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