Whenever I deal with unfamiliar persons in the public realm - receptionists, sales people, doctors, real estate agents, supermarket cashiers, waiters… I always strive to maintain a certain level of courtesy, dignity and class.

The only time I relinquish all notions of self-respect, poise and dignity - until I’m completely mortified beyond belief at my own behaviour…. is when I’m trying to buy electrical goods. Like today. Buying a microwave.

I don’t think it’s the Asian in me - the instinctive need to buy things CHEAPER. Because as events unfold, it usually comes out more as “flirting” than “bargaining”.

This poor guy. I already knew exactly which brand and model I wanted. Yet I could feel my eyes intentionally light up as he made stupid jokes about the stainless steel range. And as he rambled through facts, figures and heat wattage, I had an abundance of warm smiles to share, cute nose wrinkles, hair swishing and interesting leading questions. At that moment, he was without a doubt the smartest, funniest and coolest guy on the planet. And hey I got a discount!

Actually, I give full credit to the guy. He was truly lovely. And I must’ve seemed like a psycho bimbo from another world.

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