August 27, 2004

What would Ming-Na Manners Say?

I just finished getting a pedicure from a shop by my house. The gal who was working on my feet (brave soul) was chatting in Vietnamese the whole time to the gal next to her, who was working on another lady's feet.

Question: was that rude of her?

She never talked to me. While I don't expect to develop a lasting relationship, "hello" and "how about that weather?" might have been nice. I thought that the point of etiquette was not so much learning a lot of stupid rules of behavior, but to try your best to make the other person feel comfortable. It was mighty awkward listening to the two ladies gossip, giggle, and jabber while I sat there and tried to look busy doing nothing. For all I know, they were talking about me and the sorry shape my feet were in. I know that they both could speak english because they each answered the phone and my gal asked for me to pay her in good english. (Really, that was the only conversation she had with me)

So, was it rude, or am I a fuddy-duddy (Vietnamese for sourpuss)

Posted by Jen at August 27, 2004 2:08 PM
Comments

i don't want to talk to them. i feel as though any conversation would be trite. the whole situation totally freaks me out though. do what susan does - take a book and don't speak.

Posted by: kat at August 27, 2004 3:24 PM

Good idea.

Posted by: Jen at August 28, 2004 6:12 PM

I don't like them to talk to me, either, but I think it's just because I hate small talk and I'm there, ready to relax and I don't want to stress out about having to keep a small talk conversation going. I also take a book when I go.

Posted by: JennySmith at August 29, 2004 10:44 PM

I think it was rude and you should get revenge. First, learn Vietnamese. Then go back for another pedicure and, when they start gossiping, giggling and jabbering, join in. This will shock them and give them sleepness nights wondering what they have revealed to you in the past.

Posted by: John at August 30, 2004 9:35 AM

PS - what they were saying was this:
Gal 1: Was John Kerry actually in Viet Nam?
Gal 2: Yes, I gave him a pedicure. He got some toenail shrapnel in his arm and put in for a purple heart. This happened three times, then I never heard from him again.
I had his love child.
Gal 1: Really? Hey, want to get Chinese for lunch?
Gal 2: I hate Chinese. Let's get Quiznos.
PAID FOR BY SWIFT BOAT PEOPLE VETERANS FOR TRUTH

Posted by: I'm John and I approved this comment. at August 30, 2004 9:39 AM

LOL - you crack me up!!

Posted by: JennySmith at August 30, 2004 9:37 PM