You seem young — at least compared to me. This is an important lesson for any person to learn — the earlier, the better.
I’ve been in China many times. I hate the taste of their prized drink, Mao Tai — it reminds me of motor oil. The alcohol is raw and hurt my stomach. I don’t let myself get drunk.
So a while ago when I was there meeting my girlfriend’s family, I was resolute that I wouldn’t down the glass of expensive Mao Tai when they said gan bei.
I found myself contemplating how to present this to the family. After all, they’d purchased a very expensive bottle just for the occasion of meeting this special American Devil. And my experience is that not only is drinking a show of fortitude, it’s also a display of appreciation for the generosity of gracious hosts.
My girlfriend endeared herself to me forever when she engineered a little subterfuge that replaced the detested Mao Tai with something non-alcoholic.
Ten years later, my mother in law is now visiting our home in the US. She still has no idea what her daughter and I had done a decade ago at that dinner. But after reading your story today, I’m going to tell her. I know she’ll respond with that amazing sweet laugh of hers.
