Chinese Story: A Chinese Couples Conversation

Welcome back to the Ancient Chinese Story blog everyone. Today’s post is more of a dialogue between a Chinese husband and Chinese wife. This is set in the present time and is originally in the modern Chinese style of writing. This is a comical conversation between a husband and a wife. Today I will be translating this comical Chinese story from my level 5 Chinese textbook. This story’s title translated is called, “Splitting The House Work.” Enjoy the story:

_________

Husband:

It’s already been half a year since the two if us got married, in those six months we lived with our parents, we did not have much to do in the house, and there weren’t any big problems. Starting from tommorow, we will have are own home, and we need to divide up the housework. Now men and women are equal, agter work, I should also do some housework.

Wife:

Excellent! Now I have planned out how we can divide the things to do like you said. First, men should do the dirty work, such as cleaning the kitchen, tidying up the rooms and things like taking out the trash.

Husband:

Correct, These types of chores, I can do them all.

Wife:

You studied construction, I studied art, working on electronic things you should also be responsible for, like the washing machine, refrigerator, electric rice cooker and the iron.

Husband:

Fine! It is my responsibility.

Wife:

Men work outside while women work at home. This is our Chinese people’s tradition.  We should follow the foreigners way where you also do some work. Every Saturday you go to the supermarket and buy some things, every month you will go to the bank and pay for the gas and water heating bills, every morning you will go to pick up the newspaper and the milk.

Husband:

Fine, Fine, then what shall you do?

Wife:

Don’t get anxious. Listen to what I say, because I am a dancer for a living, To cook food in the kitchen; the oil and smoke is too much, isomg cleanser to clean the bowls and scrubbing the pots will affect my skin, therefore these few things you will need to do for me as well. Doing these things will greatly assist me with my own work.

Husband:

Is there anything else you want me to do?

Wife:

At the moment I only can think of these few things. Later on when we are going to have children, it will be necessary for you to take on even more responsibilities.

Husband:

So then tell me just what are you going to do!

Wife:

I of course have alot of things I have to do as well. I can be your support. While you work I can sing for you, and give you supportive words and wipe away your sweat, and let you  go about your chores happily.

Husband:

With this type of work, can it be possible to be in a pleasant mood?

____

When I first this comical tale, I thought immediately of people in Shanghai. Often I have noticed this how the women tend to be there; very strict, bossy and controlling yet the men are so kind and passive. Ironically I later found out that this was the stereotype as well (but not always the case).  Of course, there still are households that follow the old Chinese ways, but with globalization and modernization, people can see a gradual shift. This is what happens when you intermeld cultural beliefs. Though in some ways it is nice to see beneficial changes, some old Chinese traditions are good and are being lost today in modern China.

That’s all for todays post, I don’t have any pictures suited for this Chinese conversation, so today I will leave you guys with the words for husband and wife at the bottom. Till the next Chinese Story everyone.

先生=Husband

太太=Wife