It is often observed by foreigners in China that the “love language” of 1.4 billion Chinese people is giving gifts. Gifts are given when visiting someone’s home, when returning home from travel, as a way to express concern for one’s health, or as a way to say “thank you” (to name just a few examples). In many cases it doesn’t matter what the gift is, so long as it is given. Fruit is often enough to fulfill the ritual. More than once I had friends show up to my apartment, walk in and hand me a plastic bag, and declare simply, “BANANAS!”
I was reminded of that recently when I ran across this video clip making the rounds on the Internet in China.
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Everyone is playing their part in the ritual.
The lady giving the bananas is insistent.
The man she gives the bananas to dutifully tries to refuse.
The onlookers are amused.
But in the end the giver of the banana wins, because the giver of the bananas ALWAYS wins!
I miss China!
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