Dutch Lady Versus Vinamilk - A Foreigner and a Local Battle it Out (But Not Really)

Humor doesn't require much knowledge of each other’s language, especially in Vietnam.

On a recent sweltering day, I went to a minimart to buy a Coca-Cola just as the store was being supplied. They didn't have a bottle in the fridge, so they had to get it from the back – a task which took some encouragement on my end. 

One of the delivery guys, about fifty, scrawny, smiling but missing a couple of teeth, got actively involved in my persuasion efforts and laughingly pushed them to get the Coke. He was in a good mood, exuberant when laughing and commenting on everyone around him.

When the staff was literally and figuratively dragging their feet to get the bottle, he asked me where I was from. “The Netherlands,” I said. When that didn’t ring a bell, I pointed to the Dutch Lady milk in the shop: “I’m a Dutch Lady”. “Ah”…. he said laughing: “Vinamilk is much better!”

We started a little ‘competition’. “No… Dutch Lady is much better,” I replied laughing. “No, Vinamilk much better!” “No, Dutch Lady much better!”

We kept going back and forth a couple of times, gesticulating to reinforce our words. Neither of us was going to back down on our sudden burst of national pride.

Then I found a way to carry my point. Even with my 1.71 meters, I’m still taller than most Vietnamese, men and women alike. Standing next to him, I pointed out the difference in height (small but significant) and said: “Dutch Lady much better!”

Roaring with laughter he got back into his van, giggling “Vinamilk is much better!” We waved our goodbyes appreciating each other’s pride and sense of humor.

If you have an article, picture or anything you want to share with the Saigoneer audience, email it to: contribute@saigoneer.com.