Hello, I love you, won't you tell me you're name?

One of the things westerners of all stripes must get used to on the streets of Vietnam is the ubiquitous "Hello." You get it everywhere from everyone. It was amusing at first and I would smile and say "hello" back, but I've now learned that "hello" on the streets of Vietnam doesn't always mean "hello."

First, there is the "hello" from the xe om drivers, almost inevitably, but not always, followed by the question, "Moto?" and the accompanying "Vroom. Vroom" hand gesture in case you didn't catch their meaning from the word "Moto." This "hello" means, "Look at me. Let me take you to wherever it is you are going." For money, of course.

Then there is the high pitched "hello" from children in shops, on the sidewalk and riding by on their bikes. These "hello"s are often innocent and curious from children wanting to get a better look at the strange person walking by, but can also be mocking and not at all friendly.

Then you have the "hello" I've fast learned to ignore. The "hello" that comes from a group of men sitting in chairs facing out on the side walk or a group of people around a table drinking beers. Theses "hellos" are often mocking, or suggestive, the speaker hoping to get the attention of/a longer look at the strange person walking by. Yesterday, Steven got a "Hello. I love you" from one of these groups.

Finally you have the more rare of Vietnamese "hello"s, that born of a genuine desire to greet you or of a desire for a brief connection of greeting between strangers. This last one is my favorite.