Two days into the new country experience, Norb and Diana were invited over to a local’s home for tea and dinner. They still had a bit of jet lag from the trip but they welcomed the opportunity to eat an authentic Mongolian meal with their host. Of course they were nervous but so was the host couple. They had never had Westerners into their home before.
With greetings and introductions out of the way, Diana and Norb were ushered into the living room where the saw a large spread of finger foods and dishes on a large wooden table. None of the food looked familiar.
“Please enjoy some Mongolian tea with us,” Mr. Bold said, as he poured a cup for each of his guests.
Mr. Bold had learned English at the State University and his wife was still learning, so he tried to keep the conversation going.
Diana sipped the tea and blinked a dozen times. Norb took a sip, nodded his head and raised his brow.
“Interesting tea. How do you prepare it?”
“Ah, special blend of teas and several tablespoons of rock salt. Do you like it?”
“Rock salt? Like we put on potatoes and vegetables?”
Mr. Bold smiled and said, “I’ve had a few conversations like this before. Yes, that kind of salt. Just a second.”
Mr. Bold walked into the kitchen and pulled out two major brand name colas, and said, “The salt we put in our tea is a bit different than what goes into the soft drinks. Here, take a look. Sodium benzoate. Salt. I think we may put a little bit more in our tea, but the idea is the same, to get people to drink more liquids, and to buy more of their drinks. We have a more practical view of it. We get to chat longer with people because they ask for more tea. We chat, get thirsty, drink more tea, and then chat some more.”
“Good point,” Norb said. “Come to think of it, I actually have read the can label. Never thought about it much. I like the way you think, Mr. Bold. I think we’re gonna like it here.”
Later after everyone was gone, Mr. Bold’s wife asked him, “Where’d you come up with that story about chatting more with people? That’s not in our tradition.”
“True, but it could be,” Mr. Bold said.
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