Sarcasm just doesn't translate...

Breakfast in Beijing

Squatty Potty

After a few afternoon drinks and hookah we started thinking about the differences of Asian culture: word pronunciation, manners, driving etiquette and sarcasm. The mandarin language is made up of many small syllable words sounding harsh like they are always yelling, even if they are happy. I am almost relieved I do know understand or speak the language because if I ever attempted to do so I would be so nervous by their raised voice I wouldn’t be able to correctly pronounce a word. We started to question Momo if you could use the same word to carry different means, for example: If you say Ok! Ok? Ok… in English would there be an equivalent translation in mandarin? There are 4 different voice inflections/tones in mandarin and they represent different words entirely, not different meanings of the same word.

As we have so far seen in our time in China, it is very common for people to burp outloud, “hack” and spit in public. This takes place everywhere, in outdoor markets, on the streets and even in restaurants. People are also allowed to smoke everywhere! Which has taken a bit of getting accustomed to. And our favorite the squatty potty. This is their common restroom. It basically is a hole in the ground where you need to grouch over to pee. Guys clearly have this way too easy, woman need to take yoga to maneuver their bodies in the correct position without falling over. Beware of back-lash. O yea and these don’t have toilet paper, so one should always carry tissues with them.

And whoever started the rumor that Asians are bad drivers is a completely wrong generalization. They do not drive 30 mph and stay in one lane at all. They drive super-fast, cutting people off (but always using their blinker) and winding through traffic like a maze. Asians are masters of the road in every way, and can get you from point A to point B in record timing.

When brining up the idea of sarcasm, its determined that you need to understand the language very well before you are able to be sarcastic. Because Momo speaks wonderful english we ask her if she is able to understand sarcasm...she tells us we just are not funny. Is that chinese sarcasm or maybe we are not funny?