Moments with my relatives from China #1
No Chinese Word For Dentist
My parents and I were sitting at the dinner table when my uncle walked into the room.
Parents : Come sit down and eat dinner.
Uncle: I cant eat tonight. My tooth hurts. Do you guys have medicine?
Parents: Take some Tylenol. It will make you feel better.
Me: Why does your tooth hurt? Can I see?
My uncle shows me his tooth, and it obviously appears to be in need of some kind of root canal or serious procedure.
Me: Uncle, I really think you need to go see a doctor for that.
Uncle: A doctor? for teeth? HAHAHA
He proceeded to laugh and shake his head like my idea was the most absurd thing he has ever heard. After a good chuckle, he got up and walked away in search of tylenol.
As he walked away… I could faintly hear. ..
Uncle: Why would I need a doctor for a toothache…
I guess they dont use dentist in rural China.
Trophies in America
My cousin and I were in my living room clearing my old bookshelf. As we were looking at things, he stumbled upon my old elementary trophies. He grabbed one and read it aloud.
(Note: My cousin was a scholar in China. He studied chemistry, math, and knew how to read English. He even got into a Chinese College. In America, he delivers food.)
He read aloud. “Perfect Attendance.”
Cousin: What does attendance mean?
Me: It means I went to school everyday that year.
With a confused look…
Cousin: Arent you suppose to go to school everyday?
He then put the trophy down. I didnt respond. I just stood there contemplating how much sense he made (and how much of a bastard he was) I continued to clean, and didnt think about mentioning my honor rolls in fear of the same response.
