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# An ego boost at reception
- URL: https://www.taiwanquest.com/an-ego-boost-at-reception/
- Published: 2023-08-03T05:43:53.000Z
- Updated: 2023-08-03T06:11:12.000Z
- Description: And a new and uncomfortable directness for interpersonal compliments…
- Author: Zhen-Kang

Last week, immediately before [Typhoon Doksuri hit Kaohsiung](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4956641) (a tree snapped in half outside my building, but my neighborhood was otherwise OK), I went downstairs to collect a pre-typhoon grocery delivery.

As I walked back inside, the building manager beckoned me to reception, where she was standing with the security guard.

“Zhen-Kang, talk!” she said.

I might’ve looked puzzled.

“Talk English!”

So I said something like “How are you today?”

And she said, in English…

“We think you are very handsome!”

I felt shocked and awkward, and—not gonna lie—appreciative of the ego boost.

I replied (in bad Chinese) “I am not, but thanks!” *(“Wǒ bú shì, kěshì xièxie!”)*

She repeated “We think you are very handsome!”

So I repeated “I am not, but thanks!”

Then, to exit this awkward cycle of affirmation and modest denial, I quickly asked the security guard (in Chinese), “do you speak English?”

She replied (in English), “yes, a little.”

…At which point the elevator arrived, so I said (in Chinese) “That’s great! See you later!”

And made a run for it.

---