Everyday thousands of commuters like me would take the bus for work, school, and miscellaneous reasons. And if you pay attention, you may notice random strangers striking up interesting conversations. It can happen anytime, anywhere.

When I got on the bus heading home after work, I overheard a conversation between two men, both speaking English with strong but different accents:

A: So, where are you originally from?
B: I am from the Southern part of Mainland China.
A: I had been to many places in China too. Bei.., beijing?
B: That’s in the Northern part.
A: Shanghai?
B: That’s still north.
A: I’ve been to Hong Kong too…

At this point, A was feeling a little indifferent. I felt he never initiated the conversation, and didn’t quite want it to continue. In my mind, I continued it:

A: So, where are you originally from?
B: I am from the Southern part of Mainland China.
A: I had been to many places in China too. Bei.., beijing?
B: That’s in the Northern part.
A: Shanghai?
B: That’s still North.
A: I’ve been to Hong Kong too…
B: That’s in the South, but not in Mainland.
A: Taiwan..?
B(with an "are-u-stupid look"): Um.. that’s not China.
A: … (silence) …

Anyways, of course the conversation went in a different direction that what I have imagined. Soon enough they were talking all about making money and tax and all sort of unrelated topic, as the bus approach the terminal at Eglinton Station.

P.S. I believe A was a Middle-Eastern guy, while B was a Chinese.