Conversation Overheard...

I was on my way to the airport one evening...

And I overheard this funny conversation between a Hong Kong and a Philippine businessman:

Phil man: Its no secret that I've fooled around with other girls, I mean, its normal a lot of people do it...
HK man: Yes its ok..
Phil man: I mean, its not really ok, and I know my wife knows that I do, but the thing is, you shouldn't be proud or brag about it. A lot of guys brag about cheating their wives, and that's wrong, that's really wrong.
HK man: Yes that's right...
Phil man: I don't throw it at my wife's face or brag to my friends about it, but my wife definitely knows i've slept with other girls.. but its just her suspicion, i dont really tell her about it...
HK man: Yeah, its really not nice to tell all people about sleeping with others... Some guys just tell their friends all about it, and its not nice..
Phil man: Yeah, i know.

Ohhhhkay. Its alright to sleep with other women just as long as you dont brag about it to other people and make your wife lose face..? I mean, is it really ok? And you talk about it in public, on a quiet carriage and let the rest of the passengers hear about your conversation.. I would've thought that there'd be a bit more discretion about this. Certainly not bragging. Oh no, of course not. Its not like I was straining to hear the conversation. I was just sitting there minding my own business and you can't help but hear this conversation.

Is that how businessmen talk to each other? Its not a heart to heart conversation, its just an idle conversation piece i suppose, but I cant help but be disturbed about this. It seems just wrong.

Hk man: So were will you be going once you get home?
Phil man: We have an old house in the city, I'll be going back there... Its actually big, several rooms, a lot of bathrooms installed.. I dont stay there a lot actually..
Hk man: Ah well, why don't you sell the place? You can get more money that way, rather than just let it sit idle?
Phil man: Its been with my family for a long time.. and I dont really like selling the property..its ok actually..
Hk man: Hahah.. too big that you get lost in the house, right?
Phil man: hahaha yes...

OMG, at this point my eyes were rolling. Is that bragging I hear???

Hk man: So in case you sell the place, will you be taxed by the government? like a profit tax or something? How much % is it?
Phil man: yes! that's a hassle.. because the tax is around 33% percent...
Hk man: whoa, 33%? that's a lot!
Phil man: yes, that's right.. i mean even the income tax is high.. I have a daughter who paid $250,000 alone for her income tax
HK man: whoaaa...the tax is so big!

Wow, his daughter seems to have a very big salary... I wonder what job she' s in? and in dollars??? that's definitely skyrocket-high salary!

Phil man: So do you play mahjong?
Hk man: No I dont.
Phil man: (pause).. I dont either.. I could never understand why a lot of people play them.. It seems like a tradition in chinese.. most of the chinese in the Philippines play mahjong on weekends.. and even in casinos, most of them are chinese.. I dont like gambling..
HK man: hahaha.. because the business itself is a gamble already!
Phil man: hahah yeah...
HK man: Well, you know some people want fast money.. what's faster to earn money than to gamble? People play because they want to get money fast.. unfortunately they also lose money fast..

MMmm.. Didnt know a lot of chinese play in the casinos.. and that its prevalent that chinese's play mahjong on weekends a lot.. but i just hate the fact that this part of the conversation was said in a bit of a condescending tone.

No wonder I dont like small talk.. especially in business. If i have to put up with something like that with a partner/would be partner, I'd just drop the partnership altogether. Ugh.

And no, honestly, I wasn't straining to hear their conversation.. Its just so loud, everyone can hear it. I just want to cry and squirm in my seat listening to those two having that kind of conversation. I was just thinking, the conversation seems sooooo loaded and awkward if i were in one of their shoes.

Thank god I have a job that doesn't require me to do small talk with anyone I dont know. I'll probably be ending up with a conversation like that (but without the cheating, bragging or gambling,.. hmm.. i guess that means my conversations would end up boring. Better not talk than to talk at all for me, i suppose.)

I should be counting my blessings.