Ma Shang is Meaningless

Four people are arriving.  Four is one person too many for a regular taxi.  The last time someone arrived late I dutifully shuffled him down to the cab queue and soon regretted it.  "Civility will get you no where.  Don't let that guy cut in."  This time I’m definitely ordering a car.  But do I really want two vehicles?  “Why not use our car, I’ll get you a driver?” my wife suggested.  I considered the music I could mandate along the way and quickly agreed.

A ring from the front gate and the driver is here.  Lanky, smiling, he seems a pleasant young gentleman.  He puts his folding bike in the trunk and we’re off.  I check more closely than I would if it wasn’t my car and he seems confident driving the vehicle.  I confirm that he is not from Beijing.  “Shijiazhuang, I see.”  He is needlessly deferential in a way that Beijing drivers never are until its too late.  I tell the guy to wait at the arrival drop off and that I’ll call him when I’m ready in about fifteen minutes or so.

My visiting colleagues pop out, one, two three and . . . four.  They’ve all managed to book different hotels, though fortunately there all there around Liangmqiao area.  One elevator is overwhelmed with people.  "Let's head to that one."  We're not the only ones with this idea and a crowd quickly forms.  Two of the team manage to squeeze in and I tell everyone else we'll take the escalator instead.  

I escort the crew out towards the arrival curb and give my driver a ring.  “Ma shang.” He replies. “right away.”  Sounds good.  We all make small talk.  I begin to suggest unsolicited commentary about Beijing.  “Yes, yes, this is actually a very clear evening.  Yes.”  I call the guy again to clarify his location.  “Ma shang.”  Yeah but where are you? Near the entrance?  Are you on the ramp?"  Another call, another "ma shang."  "Ma shang is meaningless. Don't use the word any more.  Where are you physically?  I get that you're sorry.  Where are you?"  Turning to code switch back to English I try to be all smiles.  He's approaching from the gate down there." I say soothingly.   One colleague can speak Chinese and he is laughing with me, at all that I've said and then suppressed 

Driving in.  It’s a pleasure at 11:00PM.  There’s no traffic.   No one has asked but I have many things to explain about the city.  Orchestra Polyrhythm De Cotonou sounds extraordinary and goes unnoticed.

Wednesday, 9/27/17