The Good Old Exchange Days

A friend from my exchange days had been touring around Oz and NZ, and had come back for one night before going to Germany to work (that's where his girlfriend lives).

We went out for dinner, and the whole dinner consisted of regaling each other (and other friends with us) with the tales from that exchange trip (also note that my flatmate went on exchange with me). I had forgotten so many of these stories, and made me realise that without regular maintenance, memories can just slip away, and what was a fantastic experience becomes more and more mundane.

Being a non drinker at the time (yes, it was sooo long ago!), I missed out on some major drunken activities, I'm sure. However, I am definitely glad that I missed out on that toilet bowl retching activities that seemed to be in abundance during our story recollections.

One story (which doesn't involve me or alcohol!):
We were at a house party (a very very regular occurence when you're on exchange) and one of our friends brings in these random chicks from the apartments a few doors down. Immediately one of the chicks starts hitting on an Italian friend of mine (Umberto is his name). She works him to one of the bedrooms and makes a move on him. The conversation as follows:

Umberto: I'm sorry, I can't. I have a girlfriend back home.
Girl: That's ok, she's not here.
Umberto: Umm....I also have a girlfriend in the next room...

w00t w00t! :)

There are so many more things that happened...biking around Sweden, skiing, midsummers when the sun didn't set. Someone remind me to look at my old photos more often!

Damn! sixteen cheap calls already:

'Non drinker at the time'???!! You went on exchange when you were what, 3?! No need to be modest babe ;)

WANT.TO.SEE.PICTURES.
beckster (link) - 29 September '04 - 09:57

how can someone not drink when they're on exchange?! isn't the whole point of going on exchange to be corrupted? heh
riss (email) (link) - 29 September '04 - 12:18

hang on, the chicks are hitting on the guy? thats a nice change ...
al - 30 September '04 - 02:10

Bec, there's been a whole "pure" life I've led before all these Friday night drinks started :)

Riss, I tell you that exchange did open my eyes to a whole new perspective on things. More of that "fuck it, just do it" attitude appeared. So in a sense, a (good) corruption occurred!

It's just like Shanghai, al hehe
JookBoy (link) - 30 September '04 - 05:38

haha yeah right, bring your white meat and fat wallet
al - 30 September '04 - 19:58

Pure life? What? In the words of BJimmy...what the heeeel?

And I must agree with Kev Al...you don't have to have white meat or a fat wallet to meet girls in Shanghai; it all depends on how rich your tastes are (and how much you want to taste).
ricegrains (link) - 04 October '04 - 13:21

Here is a question, since it seems like you are all so hot on shanghainese girls... what's the difference between dating an "aggressive" chic in shanghai who throws herself at you and finding yourself a prostitute? In both circumstances : 1. you have to expend a lot of $$$ 2. they are after your $$$
TT (email) - 07 October '04 - 00:42

Whoa!
If you're equating a willingness to buy someone a drink to buying someone for sex, that's a bit of a distant link, no?

Aren't there any "aggressive" Shanghai chicks that like you for you? Like I'm sure everyone has a material consideration in their analysis of you, but it's not the be all and end all for everyone?
JookBoy (link) - 07 October '04 - 12:17

While you are technically correct.... i question the underlying motives : why are you buying her a drink? what is your end game?? and what is hers?? of course if it is just for a chat, a flirt, then you are right....
TT (email) - 07 October '04 - 13:14

kota kinabalu... highly under rated.
bjee - 10 October '04 - 10:54

I would buy a drink as a social courtesy.
I wish she would buy me a drink, but I think that's wishing for too much :)

I think the end game is something that you can't predict, it's not like you are thinking that far ahead. But if you like her and she likes you....

Can I ask you, then, if a guy buys you a drink, do you automatically think they want to have sex with you?? Do you always question a guy's motives for buying you the drink? Can't he just be generous?
JookBoy (link) - 10 October '04 - 11:14

"Can't he just be generous"...? Err...no. Social courtesy? Bit far-fetched. When guys buy girls they don't know a drink at a bar it normally goes hand in hand with some ulterior motive - even a chat or a flirt is considered an underlying ulterior motive. Generally speaking the reason isn't as simple as because they're generous unfortunately, but of course there are always precious exceptions :)

I distinctly remember buying you a drink at Pier 26 not so long ago.
beckster (link) - 10 October '04 - 17:19

Then my wishes have come true!
Or did you have an ulterior motive? ;)
JookBoy (link) - 11 October '04 - 11:24

Before this degenerates into an A and B conversation that the rest of us can C our way out of, let me just answer TT's questions by saying that the difference between spending a lot on a girl and paying for one is the method. Sure it may lead to the same thing if you focus on the end gain, but it's up to the individual what they're comfortable with.

And as for buying drinks, quit frontin' ya'll! You know it's all about the ulterior motives. I don't see anyone shouting the whole bar when they walk in the door.
ricegrains (link) - 12 October '04 - 16:37

Jimmy does
xtn (link) - 14 October '04 - 11:49