Oh Boy!

“Rahul is a sweetheart! He let Leila have the train,” I declare proudly as he hands back her toy upon request. “Thanks Rahul.” I continue. “Afu BOY,” he quickly corrects me, worried. (He calls himself Afu; the Sichuanese version of his Chinese name.) “Yes. Afu boy.” I confirm, without going into how he can also … Continue reading Oh Boy!

Uncle Mao

"Man-ee," L says as she examines the 5 Yuan note. She points at Mao Zedong's purple face, "Shu Shu!" she claims. Like any young Chinese woman is respectfully called ayi or aunt by a child, a young man is uncle - shu shu.