Embarassing Moments in Mandarin Part 4

Back in 2001 I was in the mountains on the East Coast of Taiwan. One of my father-in-law friends was driving myself, my wife, and my sister-in-law. When we first got in the car I thought everyone was introducing themselves. I thought the driver said "Wo3 shi3 Kaohsiung" ("I am Kaohsiung") I happily replied "Ni3 hao3 Kaohsiung. Wo3 jiao4 Aaron." (Hi Kaohsiung. I am Aaron) This caused a puzzled look on the driver's face and my wife and sister-in-law to burst out laughing. Turns out I was wrong. He had said "Wo3 cong2 Kaohsiung." I'm from Kaohsiung.

My wife and SIL still laugh over this. Good thing I'm thick skinned.