In times of rising anti-migrant sentiment in the Netherlands, Chinese comedy clubs provide community and an outlet for reflections on diaspora life
Bathed in the bright red stage lights, the crowded comedy club looked like a hot volcano—and I was about to ignite it with my fierce debut. “When people say nihao to you, kick them into the canals!” I told the audience, which erupted into laughter as if they finally found the remedy to these unsolicited “greetings.” Compared to direct physical violence, these remarks from random strangers on the street are more ambiguous and puzzling. “Nihao is like a banana to tease the monkey,” I said.
Wang Lin is a contributing writer at The World of Chinese who aspires to tell fresh stories about life, arts and culture in China—no prejudice, no clichés. Her writing has appeared on Nikkei Asia, the South China Morning Post, RADII, and elsewhere. She was born in Ningbo, a bustling port known for its dumplings and seafood.
