"Ni mai shenme dongxi?"
(What are you going to buy)
The lady at the store asks me
This comes after many minutes of being followed.......
I should be used to this by now
I think to myself
It wouldn't be so bad if she had only asked once and politely left me be
But no, she continued to ask me
"Ni mai shenme dongxi?"
I tell her I don't know, go away
But still she continues to say
"Ni mai shenme dongxi?"
Again I say, I don't know I'm just looking
For some reason she huffs and puffs
And complains
I start to think, perhaps they are trying to close
After buying one thing and showing my disapproval with my body and my eyes
I step out of the store only to realize
It cannot be
That the store is closing
As it is open 24 hours

They probably thought of me as some stupid American
But I know things would have changed if I had told them
"Wo shi youtairen"
(I am Jewish)
For here in China, old stereotypes persist
Of which consist,
Youtairen, very clever, like Einstein!
Youtairen, good at business/making money
I want to say, listen honey
Being Jewish has little to do with my smarts
I have been working hard from the very start
As for good at business, I don't know
I've never tried it, but according to you
I should give it a go

It is not just Americans or Jews you claim to know
You think you can see into the minds of all the waiguoren (foreigners)
Or is it just your curiosity sneaking in?
We don't always like all the attention,
Ducking to avoid a picture or making up ways to make you go away
And leave us in peace
If you want to know about me, just ask
Please don't play games
Of hide and seek (sneak)
Just trying to get a peek
I know it seems a bit ironic for an American to complain
As in my home country many people are treated much the same
I recognize the parallels
But this is not my game