You are poor, ugly, short, and stupid.

Like many Asian cultures, Vietnamese people are known for their unconditional etiquette, hospitality, and politeness. Unlike South Africa, I always feel physically safe on the streets. However, in your first encounter, the Viets will also strike you with out-of-nowhere scathing or flattering commentary in four special categories:

• Money: “Sir, how much money do you make? Did you know that I am quite rich?”
• Beauty: “Sir, you are ugly and your children are too.”
• Height: “Sir, you are so tall and massive.”
• Education: “Sir, you are brilliant!”

Obviously, these are of the most extreme examples, vascillating between compliments and insults. Viet people are inquisitive and generally not offended by this commentary or line of questioning in these four topics but see it as personal truths.

In addition, any male with stars next to all four categories will live like a king. And if you are not doing so hot in the category of money and education, embellish a little bit and you’ll still look like an allstar.

It’s a whole other ballgame for the female counterpart though. A woman who is rich and smart requires a richer and smarter man to become her husband. Few Viet men want to be seen as the “lesser and weaker” of the two in a relationship. But then again, that’s pervasive in most cultures.