Thursday, October 9, 2008

Bu Ren

I am Chinese Indonesian but I was raised in a western-style family, so I do not do Chinese tradition much, and do not speak Chinese Language as well (in fact, my family often talk in Dutch language). Even the simplest Chinese language I don't understand. And this is a story about my misunderstanding in Chinese Language.

One day when I was in my first days at the boarding house, DinCrew were gathering at Lion's room. That time, a Josh Groban's song "You Raise Me Up" was very booming and Lion played it. Then Lion said, "You know, this song is very popular so that Bu Ren likes to sing it, too." I asked her who Bu Ren is. But my friends there were laughing because I didn't know WHO Bu Ren is. Actually, this conversation was not really like this, but at least, this was I caught that time. Then, Meti insulted me with fully victory (she was the one who usually be insulted for being so "lola" >> long loading), "Neng, Neng... Even I know WHO Bu Ren is." Lion felt so pity for me so she told me," Bu Ren is MY servant, Neng...". Unfortunately, after I heard this explanation I told them my defense, "Well, I didn't know before that the name of Lion's servant is Bu Ren!" But the room suddenly was filled with laugh. And after a long stomach-aching-laugh, Dhumeng told me, "Neng, Bu Ren is a Mandarin term of servant.....".
Oohhh....

Maybe the real conversation was like this:
Lion : You know, this song is very popular so that MY bu ren likes to sing it, too.
Oneng : WHO is bu ren?
Meti : Neng, Neng... Even I know WHAT bu ren is.
Lion : Bu ren IS servant, Neng.
Oneng : I didn't know before that the name of Lion's servant is Bu Ren!
Yeah, maybe that's why they called me Oneng hehehe.......

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