I could say “Ni hao” br for “Good morning, ” br and it was only polite to say “Xie xie” br for “Thank you.” br br That was my limit br until, in a babble of unfamiliar sounds, br I heard the word, “Ho-murr, ” br and then again, “Ho-murr.” br Ho-murr? I thought. br Do they have The Simpsons in China? br But it was only “back door.” br br Later, struggling to board a bus by the middle door, br I heard the conductor say, “Ho-murr” br – and I could hear the exclamation mark – br “Ho-murr! ”, br I knew this time he wasn’t talking about The Simpsons, br and I had a pretty good idea br he wasn’t a fan of classical Greek poetry either. br br But I didn’t want to be left on the pavement br when he closed all the doors and drove off. br So I just squeezed in by the middle door, br as if it was all Chinese to me.