Saturday, 26 January 2008

Forgivable flaw


Two straight Thai men drank by my side the other night. One has a soft, feminine face, with wavy locks. My dancing friend, Toon, a graduate from a nearby Thai traditional performing arts school, introduced us.

Toon noticed me looking at Mr Wavy Hair, and assured me that everyone at the table liked women - in other words, that they were 'real' men, not gay.

Glancing at Mr Wavy Hair, he added: 'But I can see you are unsure about him, aren't you!'

I was indeed, as his face looked far too beautiful to be that of a real man, at least by burly, non-expressive western standards.

Yet 'real' he was, as vouchsafed by Toon. Mr Wavy Hair, who looked unhappy, limped slightly when he walked.

Toon told me that the limp was the result of a motorcycle accident, and that Mr Wavy Hair's girlfriend, who did not want to be seen with a 'cripple,' had recently stopped seeing him.

It was not enough, evidently, that Mr Wavy Hair has exemplary manners, a dependable job, and dreamy good looks. His leg was maimed - so for this girl, he had to go.

Still, some girls, to their credit, are still prepared to give a young man with a motorcycle injury a chance.

When I went back the next night, Mr Wavy Hair and Toon were there again - this time enjoying the company of a couple of young women.

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