Socially awkward dinner theater...

I've been a bit tired lately (result of no sun?) so certain people can just get off my back (not naming names).

Sunday my landlady came over. Ms. Sun is a nice lady, but she kind of looks like the landlady from Kungfu Hustle sans hair rollers and standard nightgown. From what my roommate has told me she's pretty tight with the money, but always helpful. So we have a scary stove in the kitchen and were recently told that there was a gas leak (not uncommon in China). Ms. Sun waited for the repair man and then came into my room to say goodbye. I was in the middle of rearranging my room so I won't continue to be startled in the middle of the night by my reflection in the vanity mirror. She helped me move a few things then invited me to supper. She had told me that she would eventually do this, so I grudging obliged full well knowing that this could be a bit taxing. She doesn't speak much English and my Chinese is barely passable. We go to a place just down the street that is supposed to have good food, so off we go. As we are escorted to the table she informs me that we will be joined by 4 other people. This doesn't startle me as much as it should, as I know Shanghainese are big on status and having a foreigner at your table at a restaurant is highly regarded. Even when that foreigner is me. We order some dim sum (Cantonese appetizers) and have an awkward conversation. She asks me the usual stuff including if I have a boyfriend. Lately I've taken to inventing stories rather than telling the truth as my language skills are lacking in the finer points of explanation. Even though I tell her I have a (pretend) boyfriend in the states, she still encourages me to have a Chinese boyfriend too (soooo not going to happen). When the other guests arrive (2 middle aged men, 1 woman, 1 girl a bit younger than I) arrive I am a bit relieved to have a translator. She gives me some background on the situation (one of the men is her father, the other two aunt and uncle) and tells me that the aunt and uncle are trying to fix her up with my landlady's son, who is studying in Australia. Wow, still playing matchmaker/arranged marriage in this day an age.

The aunt, uncle, and father are impressed at my Chinese (did I mention it's barely passable?) and ask me another round of questions including how much it costs to get married in the US. How should I know that? Americans don't ask personal money questions as a general rule. They ordered and I ate pig's ear, what I believe to be liver, and a soup of unknown origins. The pig's ear was about what you'd expect; something suitable for a dog, but not this girl. I had to eat it as they kept piling food on my plate despite my protests. There were some good things, so I made out ok.

The evening ended with a round of "Pictures with the LaoWai (foreigner)." I know people are always worried about getting their picture put on the internet. This concerns me but in another fashion. I surmise that there are many pictures of me on the internet looking scrubby (I had intended to stay at home and do some reading) and slightly awkward with a forced smile. They will never have my name, but I'll know. This was no exception. Everyone has a picture of me (and a few with the daughter) on their camera phone and digital camera. Isn't technology great? Now I likely have to do the whole thing again and take my landlady out for supper to "save face" though I still have to consult my roommate on this to see if I can get out of it.

The adage is true: There is no such thing as a free lunch, especially in China.