Thank you Proteus
And thank you for being so considerate in getting back to me so late at night at wherever you are. I hope you won't mind if I leave a response to your reply, in case you look in tomorrow?
Wise words Proteus, who knows what a woman is thinking in her heart?! The reason I specifically wanted your opinion on what Fei has written is because you will have deep insight in to the cultural aspect of a Chinese woman's ways of thinking; ie I may have a completely different understanding to you of what Fei's reply means - and on that I would bow to your judgement. It is also a great help that you are (I believe) a translator, sorry if I have got that wrong, and I presume this would give you even more insight in to what Chinese women mean in their letters?
The way I interpret what Fei is saying is that she is happy to " chat" with me but that she is looking for someone more suitable for her than me, in some way or another.
Also, I don't quite understand what Fei means by: "I wan to keep on touch each other and find more thing"? Does this mean "find more thing" between she and I or keep in touch with me whilst she looks for someone she feels is more suitable for her? I am hoping the objective point of the phrase "and find more thing" is "and" because if she had written "but it may have had a different connotation ie but look elsewhere perhaps? Sorry, my logic is failing me here,
The other thing that you don't know, because I haven't quoted it all, is that this last letter was a very nice one; also devoid of translator's fluff or dressing up, so I think we are beginning to write 'to each other', which is a big step forward because I suspected that a great deal of our previous correspondence was between a translator and I. I had been cautioned by Brothers here that often the first 5 or 6 letters were mainly translator influenced and I now understand that they are right. Spot on in fact, as Fei and I have exchanged 6 letters each.
(hey, well done Brothers!) So, as I say, this last letter is at least a step forward.
Are you able to go any further on Fei's agency Feedback? I'm not very up on Feedback Ratings, what does Fei's mean? Hopefully not that there is potential thought for scammers/scamming? Another point about the agency is that it specifically has 'Marriage Introduction' in its title. So I presume that by being with that agency Fei is looking solely for marriage?
I agree with your thoughts that Fei's words are appropriate at this stage of our communication. In fact, I'm very pleased about that, and Fei comes across as being very respectable and respectful, as well as straight-forward and honest - and I respect that greatly. I would be rather worried if I was getting passionate letters fromFei saying Wo ai ni at this stage, as some of the Brothers have after 2 or 3 letters!
If you would be good enough to indulge me, two other quick points:
Firstly, I did not put a footnote to the translator in my letter asking for copies of Fei's letters in Chinese because I thought that the profile refresh issue was enough. Too many issues becomes heavy (boring?). I shall make the request a little later in a way that, hopefully will not embarrass Fei or cause her to, mistakenly, think I am 'prying' or implying dishonesty (probably the wrong word to use) on her part.
Secondly, I sent my letter to Fei at 4.4.30am this morning (I know, I'm a night owl and a workaholic!), and received her reply at 7.55am this morning - 3 and a half hours from London to Chongqin (to Fei and back to the agency), from Chongqin to London! How do they do that? In fact, all Fei's replies are usually in that time-span (except one, which took 2 days and this was one of the things that originally made me think I may be being 'scammed'. I do NOT think that now.
Proteus, I offer you my deepest appreciation and thanks; and bid you a very good night.
John
John.
Remember that all your letters to and from Fei are via the translator. It's the translators that actually refresh the Ladies profiles they are responsible for. So the translator is not going to tell you she was responsible for refreshing Fei's profile. So the truth is, ...that what you were told here by the Forum still remains as to what actually occurred. The translator has just dressed up Fei's reply to your statement, neither denying or confirming Fei had refreshed her profile herself!!!
So Proteus was 'Not' wrong in what he had stated about the 99% probability that Fei had no idea about any profile refreshment.... Having said that, i would just forget all about the profile refreshment, it really is a non-problem!!!
David.....
Thanks David,
I'm beginning to get the hang of it now - yakes some time with me but I do evebtually get there! My problem is that I have a very trusting nature (not being conceited - what is that Mandarin word?) so I tend to overlook or miss the machinations of the translators. So, yup, the Brothers are right, and Proteus is right. And you are absolutely right - the profile refreshment really is a non-problem. Thank you for putting ME right (no pun intended!) about that.
Incidentally, I've just left a post for Proteus, in case he looks in tomorrow. Could you have a look and give me your opinion on that; and particularly the turn-round times of my letter to and from China, bearing in mind the agency/client bits in-between?
Thanks David
John