The other day, I accompanied an American business man to purchase the goods. On the very beginning, I was really committed to doing this job well in hope of learning something new. However, on the half way, I was on the edge of quitting his business. His sense of superiority and his tendency to take everything for granted, his underestimation of my ability really makes me draw back in reluctance. I thought he was such a control freak, I can’t put up with the one who has got used to commanding and demeaning others like they shouldn’t be taken seriously. That makes me sick. What’s more, I was goddamned sensitive and weary that day. Then I stood still and put down my face, announcing: I’m going to quite your business. I think you can manage it by yourself. Within my expectation, he was really stuck dumbfounded, nervous and perplexed he became, he then pleaded: “darling, why? Did I hurt your feeling?..You can’t quit like this. What should I do if you go in such a hurry.” Suddenly, his words disarmed me. But I still found the guts to protest: “I hate to be told I only need to follow the direction, I hate to be reminded I am the follower rather than the leader, it sounds like I am inferior, unworthy nobody…” Then he seemed bewildered and got lost in my complaint: “I didn’t mean that at all. What should you do if you don’t follow me? ” Suddenly, I stammered and felt sorry: “perhaps it’s not your fault. I just feel so tired.” Whatever, I still followed his direction to the end of the day. And the rest journey was spent still in peace and trust, he did teach and brainwash me as best as he can. Needless to say, the sudden eruption of my temper really shocked me as well, I had never done this before. But that day, I had a verbal battle with an American boss. Should I celebrate this? Haha.
During that day, there were several vivid scenes worth remembering:
Dialogue 1:
Me (inquiring): can you ask for the cut in price? Or is the price fixed?
Boss (in authoritative voice): Nothing is fixed in this world.
Me (with evil smile): no, there is one thing fixed.
Boss (bewildered): What is that?
Me: Death.
Boss(with a searching look in my eyes): You are morbid.
Dialogue 2:
Me (absentminded, not listening): It’s so hot. I can’t stand the heat.
Boss(with satirical grin):You Chinese people are so good at complaining.
Dialogue 3:
Boss (with a contemptuous voice): Chinese people don’t trust. In American, nobody would receive the note and check again and again whether it’s fake or not.
Me (angrily): You’re wrong. E-business is flourishing now. We are trying to build up the honesty policy.
Boss (laughing): You’ve got the point. Trying to build. Not already done.
Me speechless.
Dialogue 4:
I was busy cleaning the bowls and chopsticks in the dinner table.
Boss(with an ironic smile): In the restaurant, we don’t need to do this. The waitresses would laugh at us.
Me (with affected unconcern): No, we should clean them before we dine. To ensure no germs.
Boss (shaking his head in disagreement): That’s why I say Chinese people don’t trust.
Although in the end, I rejected this job without hesitation. I still felt grateful to share such a day with this arrogant but friendly American man. Perhaps in the future, there would be no contact anymore. I’d like to take every lesson from these experiences. I know that’s what the life should be spent. Don’t regret your choice; don’t regret what you’ve done. Try to live at every moment, better or worse, seek the something fun in it.