STATUS

Ivy has anybody asked you why people speaking in Cantonese sound angry? I find that people just seem to speak it loudly.

The last time someone said "you never smile. Try it" to me, I made a few exaggerated back-stretching motions. He caught on and said "Put your back into it".
Good times.

Thanks, Ivy! The worse for me is when I go to visit an uncle and aunt. I describe their conversation as: "When Doves Cry" (you are probably familiar with the lyrics). They are so used to me that they will say things in front of me without caring what I think, making me feel uncomfortable.

"Maybe I'm just too demanding
Maybe I'm just like my father too bold
Maybe you're just like my mother
She's never satisfied (She's never satisfied)
Why do we scream at each other?
This is what it sounds like
When doves cry"

Basically the first four lines could be applied to my uncle who's a bit eccentric and particular in liking things a certain way, so he's always complaining, even in my presence. It is his discussions with my aunt and cousins, and my aunt and a couple of my cousins that really make me uncomfortable. Especially when the other person involved replies back. So that's where the last three lines come in. Most of the stuff they say is not a big deal, although the way they discuss it, makes it seem a matter of life or death. The funny (or is it sad??) thing is that these are adults we are talking about ...

That said, I'm surprised you never heard of Prince or whatever symbol he decided to use for his name.