Updated January 20, 2021
Yesterday evening we had a long meeting. Afterwards, I went to have dinner at a nearby food court. Whenever I visit this particular food court, I generally eat spicy pot (麻辣香锅) or spicy soup (麻辣烫). It’d cost me RMB 15-20.
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The same food court also has a stall of Hubei Hot Dry Noodles (热干面). I like the Hubei noodles very much. However, I eat at this stall only occasionally, as the noodles are not good for health, especially if you have a history of diabetes.
Anyways, the owner couple at the Hubei noodles stall is very friendly. They also have a little girl (about 5) and sometimes I’d say Ni Hao (hello in Chinese) to her and she will say Hello (in English to me). It’s funny.
Yesterday I wanted to eat the noodles. However, I didn’t see the owner couple. The little girl was also not there. There was a relatively old woman (50+) serving food at the Hubei noodles stall. I asked her where was the little girl and she mentioned that the girl was not there (for whatever reason she said in Chinese). And then, this woman started asking me unnecessary questions.
She thought I was too friendly.
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First, she asked my nationality. Before I’d even answer her, another old man sitting by her side told her my nationality (just by guess and utterly incorrect). Then she started asking my age.
I ignored this question (I said 没事/没关系), she thought I didn’t understand the question. She asked my age at least 3 times using different phrases. She was also tying to smile at the same time (indicating that she was just curious).
WTF.
I am your customer, not your friend. I am certainly not your family member. What’s your relation with my age? Once I am not willing to answer a question, you just can’t persist, asking me the same stupid and unnecessary questions. You are nearly 50 years old, and have no idea how to interact with someone for the first time? I was really pissed off.
Well, I didn’t want to screw up a Friday evening. Just finished my meal, and got back to my place.
Hi,Peter
Most Chinese don’t think these questions about age, salary, marriage are invasion of privacy. Ordinary people ask these questions because they are curious or interested in you. They don’t have special intent. I suppose they ask questions very casually. Possibly, these questions are some kind of greetings. If you want to protect your privacy but try to be friendly，you can tell a lie when asked these questions. I guess it is something about cultural difference.
I understand your point. However, I don’t see a reason to share my age, salary, company name, etc. with strangers on a daily basis (I generally disappear ASAP when I get these BS questions). 😉
Ni hao, Pete. Welcome to my hometown, Hubei. I have to tell they may not realize that this involves privacy issues. I hope you don’t take it to heart.
没事了。我去过湖北。真好玩，很喜欢中国呀。