Swine flu
I got into a taxi here in Bangkok on Sunday. When I looked at the driver’s face in the rear view mirror, I noticed he was wearing a protective facial mask. I didn’t think much of it.
I told him where I was going, and then he turned around and looked at me.
“Where are you from?” he said.
“I’m from America,” I said.
“Not Mexico?” he said.
“No,” I said. “I’m from America. But I live here in Bangkok.”
“Okay,” he said.1
Then he took off his mask and explained that he was afraid of catching swine flu. And that he was glad I wasn’t a Mexican. He said he’d been asking all of the foreigners who got into his taxi if they were from Mexico.
I assured him that I was not Mexican, that I had not been infected with H1N1, and — despite the fact that it has nothing to do with swine flu — that I don’t eat pork.2
He smiled and seemed relieved.3
(Related post: “Thailand swine flu nomenclature update.”)
- We spoke in Thai, in case you’re wondering, though this was a very simple conversation. [↩]
- I do, in fact, eat pork, but he was quite nervous, and I wanted to put him at ease. [↩]
- The latest news on H1N1 and Thailand, for the record: There have still been no confirmed cases. A suspected case recently turned out to be the common flu. [↩]
Related posts:
- H1N1 in Thailand: two confirmed cases Some news today about H1N1 (swine flu) in Thailand: Reuters:...
- More on H1N1 in Thailand — the atmosphere in Bangkok, and how to follow H1N1 developments A quick note about H1N1 here in Thailand. Infections continue...
- Thailand swine flu nomenclature update A quick note on swine flu nomenclature: the CDC is...
- Swine flu, Thailand, and nomenclature There has so far been no outbreak of swine flu...
- H1N1 spreads in Thailand H1N1 infections in Thailand have increased markedly over the past...