RELATIONSHIP

A Sweet Excuse From A Man

Here is a good reason why a guy didn’t call when he was going to

Years ago, when I was working in communications for a Sino-French joint venture in Beijing, I met many people. I made most of my friends through my work and other expats.

Out of my routine, I met a nice, good-looking, 30ish Australian guy, not from an introduction of someone I knew, but from queuing to enter a tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurant famous for its Peking Duck hidden inside a narrow alley with poor and inadequate housing.

Besides him and my French friends, the eager clientele waiting or savouring the renowned delicacy was all Chinese-looking. When it was my turn to get a table for four people, my French male friend, seeing that the Australian was waiting alone in line, invited him to sit with us.

Unexpectedly, we chatted as if we were all friends for a long time. The Australian and I were especially charmed by each other. He was a tourist in town and due to depart the day after. The next day was a Sunday, so I offered to show him around Beijing.

I gave him my business card, and he said he would call the next morning. That night, I went to sleep with excitement and anticipation. The long night passed with my untamable smiles from remembering our delightful conversations, which left a more lasting impression on me than the famous Peking Duck.