Rènao is the kind of atmosphere you find in a Chinese restaurant when the establishment is fully packed: Every table is seated with ten chattering people, each one happily eating and socializing; waitresses and waiters scurry about, the hostess shouting into a walkie-talkie that "table 9 is ready!" and the loud speakers pumping out shrill pop music. Only then can a Chinese feel relaxed, surrounded by food, people and noise, a comforting mayhem that seemingly creates a sensation of much-needed security and inclusiveness.
But if you look closely you might see that actually not every guest is talking; some people are sitting quietly, letting others do the talking. Amidst the tumultuous hubbub of everyday Chinese life there are actually people who seek quiet and solace, seemingly not needing to constantly fill their existence with noise.
Chán fáng tīng yǔ 禅房听 雨, "meditation/zen", "chamber", "listen", "rain" is an expression that epitomizes the ideal of quiet and solitude. The quiet that is found when listening to the sound of rain drops falling on the roof of a temple when meditating in a separate space. A Zen monk, of course, should be able to find his or her own "inner chamber", even amidst the nosiest, maddening crowd.
We miss you - hope cyberspace will be more open soon ;-)
ReplyDeleteHugs, Anki
Ingrid,
ReplyDeleteJust experienced the same thing recently in a Chinese restaurant in Millbrae, Calif. For eight years I passed The Kitchen, a Chinese restaurant packed every time of the day passing. I decided to stop by with friends one evening, and exactly as you described was our experience. We were the only non-Asians for the hour and a half eating sumptuous plates of, I presume, very original Chinese meals. The chatter was high, yet some tables sat one or two folks. It was difficult placing the orders as they don't get too many English-only patrons. Though my entourage might have felt uncomfortable, I loved the high chatter, constant movement of meals and people, and the animals soon to be eaten staring at us in tanks. Please post more often if you can.
Dale