Sharing from Vietnam - The Small Things

Life in Vietnam is unique because of the small things that happen daily.

This morning, the janitor lady asked me if 'Obama' was my husband. I have his plate/picture on my desk next to my PC. I told her, 'No, he is the President of America.' She said, 'Wow, he looks handsome, and how come he looks so Asian?' Cool reaction hah :)

I went out to eat lunch at the students' cafeteria, and this janitor man came to clear the plates away. I smiled to him, and he returned with a warm, welcome smile. Then when I said thank you in Vietnamese, he exclaimed, 'Oh, I thought you were Korean.' The next time we met, he did not return my smile. It seems like only Korean ladies deserve his smile. Too bad I am not one.

Last night I came down with Ian to let him run and play with the water after the rain. I saw a young boy who looked about 10 years old working as a tennis ball collector. I figured he worked for the tennis coach because I met them several times. The coach taught tennis, and the boy walked around collecting balls. I learned from the swimming guard that the boy was kicked out of school because he fought, and now he worked as a ball collector for about 30 USD/month. WHen the match ended, the big-belly coach walked out with empty hand, while the little boy carried the heavy bag of balls, the tennis rackets, and the chair. The guard exclaimed, 'Do you know that he is 15 years old. How could he grow if he carried that heavy backpack every day.' However, the guard did not come to offer to help with the chair, neither did I. I am very worried that eventually I will consider matters like these normal and looked with uninteresting eyes. I am extremely worried!

It is an art to know how to talk, interact, and request service in RMIT Vietnam. To the expat staff, I look Vietnamese. To the local staff, I am Viet Kieu (oversea). To the local people like bike keepers, xe om, I am Vietnamese. I must learn how to act intelligently and skillfully in each different situation in order to get the best result. Sometimes, I feel exhausted from the effort. But with time, I think my skills improve and I do it quite naturally. The challenge is to maintain who I am - you know, not becoming cynical, bitter, smart mouth, etc. I need to join a meditation group soon.

April 10. 2009