Ryu2.mind

While I like to think I speak slightly better Mandarin than the typical ABC, it's far from perfect, and it's clear that I'm not a native speaker of it. It's pointless trying to deny this, but sometimes, I'll be told that I don't sound like a mainland Chinese, and I'll get asked as to where I'm from.

This sometimes happens in taxis, Shanghai cabbies being a chatty lot -- which, mind you, can be a helpful thing, a chance to sample the barometer of the typical Shanghainese on the street. In response to this question, I'll say I'm a overseas Chinese from North America. That satisfies most of them, but twice now, I've then been asked what country.

I said "Canada" -- even though I had no connection to that country whatsoever.

Yes, it was technically lying... but I really had no desire to get into a heated argument about US foreign policy and listen to rants about Bush and his administration -- especially when 1. I consider myself first and foremost a Chinese, not an American, 2. I didn't vote for Bush, and 3. when I myself disagree with much of what the US has been doing worldwide in the last few years.

I suppose if I had more energy, I would have truthfully said that I was raised in the US, and pre-empt the inevitable anti-American rant by telling them that I myself am no fan of Bush and his actions... but I was just too tired.

Was I wrong? What would you have all done... and to the China-based ABC readers, what do you all do? =P