That Cina Kebun

Over here in the wilds of Borneo, folks of Chinese descent are generally considered to be wealthy. After several months of close observation, I haven't found otherwise. Judging by all the obvious accoutrements of the nouveau riche on display here from the glitzy sportscars to the overblown mansions, the industrious Chinese here have certainly made it good.

Of course that's a clear blanket generalization on my part. There's still a sprinkling of far less fortunate proletariat who actually need to work for a living.

In the fields.


Don't mind this Cina Kebun coming to till my fields!
Or at least that's what I'm told by my trusted subordinates. The natives here have segregated the Chinese here into two main groups - either as a scion of the obscenely wealthy Chinese towkays or part of the underprivileged bourgeouis Chinese, otherwise known as the Chinese farmers.

Cina Taukeh Or Cina Kebun.

Solely based on skin colour!

Paul : Wonder why the Chinese kids here are incredibly dark complexioned! I blame the scorching sun.
Nurse : Hardly! Those are the Cina Kebun.
Paul : Kebun as in farm?
Nurse : Yes. Cina Kebun are usually darker than the towkay.
Paul : So they are fairer?
Nurse : Can't get tanned sitting in the Mercedes.

Simple logical explanation for them being a shade darker than the rest. So evidently due to my relatively fair complexion - and my apparently snotty manners - I've been resolutely boxed into the towkay group.

Despite the fact that I'm practically out there tilling the fields on a daily basis. Metaphorically speaking of course.

Don't get quite as much sun as the Cina Kebun though.