By Dou Wentao

Don’tBeAfraid toLose Face

By Dou Wentao

P hoenix Satellite Television once had a show that broadcasted from Mexico.Miss Daramy, the reigning champion of Mexico’s beauty pageants,was co-hosting the evening with me.

Just as people in China’s ancient Tang Dynasty once did,Mexicans think“big is beautiful.”Miss Daramy was twice my size.At the time,I had very limited English,and even less Spanish.Sometimes,it was even hard to tell if one of us was finished talking and who should speak next.

Later,my boss had an idea.He said,“Isn’t this a carnival?People kiss each other on the street.Why don’t you guys do the same?Give her a kiss every time you finish talking and let her know it’s her turn.”

Over the next two hours,I must have kissed the“beauty queen” hundreds of times.It was the most embarrassing moment in my whole career as a host.Miss Daramy’s boyfriend was sitting in the front row,cheering and clapping loudly at first.But after an hour his face fell and he stared me down with anger in his eyes.I felt bad.Afterwards I thought about the whole thing.Weren’t there any other solutions?Did I have to communicate with“kisses”?After all,it was all because of my terrible English.I decided to challenge myself and conquer the language barrier.

Through years of effort,I gradually became confident with English and even found myself something of a celebrity in Hong Kong.Interacting with fans or dealing with journalists doesn’t bother me anymore; it feels effortless.

Now,I do feel grateful when I look back and recall all of my“shameless”and foolish experiences.I believe if you make a fool of yourself in front of 10 people today,you will definitely save face in front of 100,000 tomorrow.People may think I’m not that good.It doesn’t matter at all.I’m not afraid to lose face.

(FromBiography of Phoenix Celebrities,Citic Press.Translation: Liu Lili.)