It would have been one of my very fist trips to China (probably in 2000 or 2001) back when I was far more adventurous and game. I was down some back lane of Shanghai eating dumplings in a street side stall, concentrating on my chop stick action under the gaze of of all those eyes, set just above the rim of the slurped-at bowls.
I was sitting in the back trying to be inconspicuous, when an old man surprised me by suddenly rushing at me and brushing my then, very serious side burns. I have no idea what he was saying except that he was enjoying himself, even as he was chased away at the end of a broom. He continued to enjoy himself from the other side of the lane, until I slipped out the back and took off.
