December 7, 2009

Liang Mi 两米

This is the most common phrase shouted, whispered, commented or asked about me as I walk down the street. The question is implied, "How tall are you?"

Liang 两 is another form for the number 2
Mi 米 means meter

Yes I am 2 meters tall. It makes the conversation very simple. And an easy conversion into metric for all my friends. Actually I'm 203 cm but 2 meters is the easier response.

And it seems to make everyone's day to have seen the extra tall foreigner that was actually 2 meters tall. Somehow just be walking down the street, I fulfilled the stereotype of foreigners being tall.

The Chinese aren't much different than Americans. They're next question is the same. What is it? You guess it! Do you play basketball?

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