Taiwan is fraught with food carts. Americans generally only buy the occasional hot dog from sidewalk vendors. Here they sell pretty much anything you can find on a restaurant menu. At the base of my apartment building there are always a few folks cooking up something. One particular vendor has been invaluable to me. The woman sells an egg thingy that's wrapped up in a doughy tortilla-type thing. I don't really like the doughy thing, so a few months ago I asked her if she would just fry me up some eggs (she knows/understands enough English to get what I was saying). She cooked 'em up and they were perfect. Ever since then, I have been having her make me 3 eggs at a time about 3 or 4 times a week, it's heavenly. The thing that always got me was she only charged me NT$15 for three eggs (that's about 45 cents American). I always felt guilty because she was working hard and I thought she should charge more...she wouldn't take more money. I tried to pay her more several times and she refused every time.
Last Sunday, I was on my way home from my weekly bakery run and she was out front with her cart. Earlier in the day I had decided to get her something to show my appreciation. She always has a pleasant smile and a wave for me when I come home from work. She seems like a really kind person. Anyhow, I approached her cart and gave her a little chocolate cake that I always buy from the bakery. It's about the size of a twinkie and extremely tasty. She didn't want to take it but I insisted. I waved goodbye to her, went up to my apartment, and I haven't seen her since!
Folks here have very different ways of doing things. Perhaps I offended her in some way? I don't know. I feel lousy about the whole situation. I hope I haven't caused a problem. Maybe she has a freaky husband who thinks I am trying to make a move on his wife? Heck, I was just happy to have such yummy eggs!!
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