She Was All Business
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (112717)
United States
November 3, 2025 6:31am CST
I understand that when it comes to ordering from a Chinese restaurant, sometimes it's so authentic, it's like the person taking your call on the other end just arrived from the boat yesterday.
The woman who took my call had a very heavy Chinese accent and was all business—so much so, that if she weren't so Chinese I might have found her to be rather rude and unbusinesslike.
The answer started with the usual, "China King," introduction. But was promptly followed by, "Whachoo want?"
I struggled not to laugh and proceeded with the first part of my order. When I told her spring rolls as one of our appetizers, she followed that with, "Whachoo wan' nek?"
These were not requests. These were stated as demands.
I had her on speaker phone as I was ordering and when I got off the phone after completing my order my wife remarked, "Man, she wasn't messing around."
LOL. No, she sure wasn't. She was all business.
11 people like this
9 responses
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18025)
• Torrington, Connecticut
3 Nov
You have to hear my lady from the spot I order, she sounds like she is yelling and rushing you to order
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
3 Nov
We have friends who own and run a Chinese restaurant here in our city... He speaks English very well and will talk your leg off. His wife can't speak any English and ignores us even if her hubby translates for us. 
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
3 Nov
@porwest I used to work with one Chinese guy who spoke English as well as you and I do. One of my nieces married a Chinese guy but he had an accent that made it difficult to figure out what he was saying at times. (I remember him showing my brothers and I a trick with a rubber band that made it come rolling back to you after you released it. He kept saying "row beck" and it took us a little while to figure out he was telling us it would "roll back".)
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Nov
I have had similar experiences with Chinese workers . I think it may be cultural differences, and for sure language differences. And we also have to take into account the fact that the person answering the phone is also the chef, dishwasher, cashier and business manager, so they have to be incredibly efficient.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (128824)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Nov
@porwest Well, considering China practically owns us now, maybe we ARE their product! lol
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
8 Nov
@moffittjc You may have a point there. lol
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18025)
• Torrington, Connecticut
3 Nov
Hahahaah sounds like the lady at my Chinese spot, she always answers the phone as if she were yelling at you
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18025)
• Torrington, Connecticut
3 Nov
@porwest I think its how the accent makes it come off as if she is yelling and rushing me when I order. I just laugh, at least the foods great
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52142)
• Staten Island, New York
3 Nov
At least you understood what she was saying lol. Was she loud when she talked to you?
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (52142)
• Staten Island, New York
4 Nov
@porwest Here we have two Chinese people at different corners of the bus or train talking to each other and loud so they can hear each other. Why not just come closer?
1 person likes this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
5 Nov
@lovebuglena Some people don't do things that make sense. Who knows why? lol
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
3 Nov
Yes, She meant business and had no tike for friendly notes and remarks or requests
. They don't mess around or beat the bushes. It's all business and business.
. They don't mess around or beat the bushes. It's all business and business.2 people like this
@porwest (112717)
• United States
8 Nov
@arunima25 They are definitely different, I will give them that.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (93194)
• Bangalore, India
8 Nov
@porwest Haha! I really admire the country and it's culture. Even in the free time, they indulge in things that are meaningful and bring benefits.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
3 Nov
Accents are very difficult everywhere. I have an English vocabulary that is much better than many native speaking people. But my accent is horrible.
Some years ago I had a big trouble trying to change some airline tickets. The lady on the phone was from India and quite rude. I finally forgot my manners and told her that she did not speak English well and neither did I. So PLEASE I wanted a native English speaking person at the phone.
Some years ago I had a big trouble trying to change some airline tickets. The lady on the phone was from India and quite rude. I finally forgot my manners and told her that she did not speak English well and neither did I. So PLEASE I wanted a native English speaking person at the phone.
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Nov
At least you got your Chinese food, From the photo I remembered that I always keep soy sauce at home and my favorite always was La Choy now I have no problems with Great Value soy and it is just as good,
1 person likes this
