Cambodian pleasantries

It is common practice here in Cambodia for locals to ask you what seem like very personal questions all the time…Where are you going? When will you return? How old are you? Are you married? You get the idea. Well, for the past week and a half, I've stayed at the Burly Guest house (aka hostel) and the boys who work here are especially inquisitive. Example - my conversation last night (and sadly my last night at Burly):

Burly boy: “Where are you going?”
Me: “To dinner”
Burly boy: “Ok. What time will you be back?”
Me: “In an hour or so.”
Burly boy: “Ok.”

About an hour passes….

Burly boy: “How was your dinner?”
Me: “Very nice thank you.”
Burly boy: “Ok. What are you doing now?”
Me: “Going to get ice cream”
Burly boy: “Ok. Why are you still hungry?”
Me: “umm…”
Burly boy: “Didn’t you just eat dinner?”
Me: “Thank you for the reminder. I think I’ll go to the gym now instead.”
Burly boy: “Ok.”

Despite the daily inquisitions, the boys of the Burly guest house always brought a smile to my face and were a great introduction to life here in Cambodia. Here is a picture of a few of my favorite “Burly boys”. (I won’t even attempt to spell their names).