Natural Sound & Smell War

Madame de Rothschild, one of our French most prominent experts in good manners, would probably get a heart attack... Whether on the bus or on the street, from time to time, you happen to catch a burping sound or somebody (like the bus driver this evening) racks his nose and throat, and spits out the "oystery" substance... and all in a natural manner.

Some of our best "nez" (literally nose), those who designs the most wanted fragrances purchasable in any department stores around the world, would probably faint in the Taipei Metro at rush hour. Only few people use deodorants here. So my dear fellows who are still struggling to find a job in the dull western economy, there's a huge business opportunity here.

One can actually win the natural sound & smell war once and for all. "Uneducated", caught by the sudden smell of stinky tofu (a loved delicacy you can find in any nightmarket), you call for victory after throwing up all your guts. And this time all eyes on you, you won't go unnoticed.

I could probably go on and on with my disgusting verve but the one thing I learn when I lived in the US is that no matter where you live, there's no good in criticizing. Of course you come with a great load of values and references that are hard to forget and you just can't help comparing. At that time I realized that all I could talk about was in France it's like this or like that... up to the point where there weren't any to be made.

As each ice cream comes with different flavors so does each culture. BTW, this is not a Chinese proverb... My point is there's no standard when it comes to adjusting to a new life/culture. So leave your mind, including nose and ears open to take and taste whatever new flavors come to you.