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China Elevator Stories

“You have to be nice to your mama”

I chat with a co-worker in Shenzhen.

17/06/2014

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Ruth Silbermayr

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One of my co-workers, who has just recently given birth herself, sees me sitting in front of my desk.

Ruth Silbermayr with ex-husband AMWF

Like out of nowhere, she appears in front of me, starts stroking my belly, and says: “Hey there, little one! How are you?”
I tell her: “Be careful, the baby kicks with a lot of force.”

She replies, enthusiastically: “A lively baby!” and then keeps stroking my belly, but more carefully now. She then tells the baby: “You have to be nice to your mama. Don’t make her feel too exhausted.”

Have you ever encountered a similar situation?

This is part of the series ‘Conversations with Locals in China,’ where I share conversations with Chinese people on my blog.

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