The Questions You Will Hear Everyday

As my close friends can attest, I geek out over podcasts/radio programming. I love them! They are one of those things that keeps me grounded in further learning and current events. I can pop in my earbuds and be whisked away to Chicago for the latest on "Wait Wait! Don't Tell Me," run through the grey areas of cognition and science with "Radiolab," or cozy up to new acquaintances on "This American Life."

In late June, This American Life presented a great episode entitled, "Americans in China." It tells tales of being the novelty, redundancy, and outsider as Americans abroad. I loved it and felt I could relate to it in a lot of ways. My favorite piece in Act Two came from writer, Michael Meyers, who is currently living in rural China. I met Michael in 2009 while researching in China, and I highly suggest checking out his book. He is a great and honest storyteller.

In Act Two, Mr. Meyers explains his small town surroundings and daily life including the people he meets, the relationships he builds, and the same questions he hears on a regular basis. It's these questions that remind you that you stick out like a sore thumb. Sometimes funny, sometimes awkward...I get them all the time (and I know I'm not alone...).

• Where are you from?


• Do you know Korean?


• How old are you?


• Do you have a boyfriend?


• How tall are you?

I've gotten used to these questions. And I often surprise myself by understanding them in Korean. But then again, I've learned these specific Korean phrases through repetition. Over and over. Again and again. And I don't see it ending anytime soon...

Give TAL a listen (only 17 minutes)!
-Bets