... as you are so ugly

In Vietnam, there are so many things you can't say, or do. Like complain, or get angry. A smile can mean friendliness, as well as anger, or shame. In so many senses it is a very "high context" society where a lot of signs and hints and double meanings constantly have to be read. For most of the time I have no clue.

Then, when it comes to looks and shapes of people, it is totally ok to be as direct as can be. As our former helper said to me when I met her in the store after a couple of months. "Anna, you look nice. You are fatter." Or as the colleague of an aquaintance of ours told her: "Your kids are so cute. So strange, as you are so ugly." Really, what do you reply to that... with a smile?

Busy restaurant kitchen. And it's got absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the post.