Jewish Wives are Fierce (You Tai Lao Po Hen Lihai)

A favorite joke of Chinese people is about having a wife at home in American and one in Changsha. So, recently I began to play along, I not only have a wife here, but also in Shanghai and Beijing.

Dr. Wang, my teacher in internal medicine, is a woman in her 50's who is confident as a teacher, doctor, and loves to lecture her students on how to find a man, keep a good family, lead a happy live, and the talents of her family. When new patients are curious about me, she gived them the full scoop. "He is American, from New York City. He is here for 6 months, he is married but has no kids. If you speak Pu tong hua (the official language, not Changsha Hua, the local dialet) clearly, he can understand. He is Jewish and very intelligent."

So the other day, two happy go lucky men men walked in together, and inquired about the waiguoren. So my teacher proceeded to tell them everything. They smiled and asked ," You're married, does you American wife know about your Changsha wife?"

" No she doesn't," I replied, " Neither does the one in Shanghai or Beijing."

Dr. Wang, reacting to my comment said, " You're not scared of your wife?" make a slaping motion with her hand.

" Of course I am, she is Jewish too."

She smiles and said, " Ahh, Jewish wives are very fierce."