There’s a Chinese phrase that the both of us – ok maybe just me LOL – at home like to use to exhibit mock exasperation especially when we come home from work. It’s this: “我不要干了!”, and it’s enunciated as though we’re in one of those typically over-acted Chinese TV drama serials.
That sentence literally translates to “I don’t want to do it anymore!” For example, if either of us have just had a large project dropped on our laps, we’ll groan and complain to our significant other and ask if we can quit our jobs and be a rich stay-at-home husband/太太 (wife) at home.
Unfortunately, that’s where gender inequality shows up. Specifically, Ling knows she’s a far more tolerant homemaker than I ever will be. And by that, I don’t mean household chores – I’m referring specifically to Hannah’s wails for attention. When Hannah is doing her usual thunder and lightning opera, all Ling ever does is to sigh quietly and get on with her whatever she’s doing. Me, you got to see to believe. My face turns black, and I look like I’m about to tear my hair out or experience a terminal heart attack!
So, Ling knows that as much as I complain about wanting to be a stay-at-home husband, it’ll never come to pass on account of this little fact – Hannah would probably drive me to take a jump off the apartment block.:(
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