By SigSeg - 23/12/2013 04:13 - China - Huntington Beach

Today, it’s been a semester since I came to Shanghai to study and my Chinese girlfriend nicely offered me a pear after a long exam. I cut the fruit to share it with her. When I saw her burst in tears, I understood that it was a way to announce a breakup in China. FML
I agree, your life sucks 940
You deserved it 73
November 11: Memories and smiles
Historical anecdotes with a light touch to commemorate with a respectful smile. More…
Previous FML Next FML

Top comments

Joshwarrior 39

My condolences op you were such a cute pear together. Look at the bright side you are learning other cultures customs which is awesome (:

315 9
Pyronic 11

it was just a misunderstanding. I'm sure she will understand.

286 4

Comments

Joshwarrior 39

My condolences op you were such a cute pear together. Look at the bright side you are learning other cultures customs which is awesome (:

315 9
Pyronic 11

it was just a misunderstanding. I'm sure she will understand.

286 4
LennyComa 39

U reccomen explaining in your culture sharing is a sign of caring.

106 13
spearcom 13

Hurry!!! Put it back together!!! But seriously, hope she undrstands it was a cultural misunderstanding. Good Luck

128 2
Mathalamus 24

whoops. tell her that it was a mistake, and don't do that again. or at least figure out if its only the pear that announces the breakup.

62 2
DeadxManxWalking 27

just explain your intentions

6 19
sadistmonkey 19

Wait, is the cutting of the pear on the OP's part the equivalent to announcing a breakup or was the girlfriend announcing the breakup by offering him a pear?

175 1
FalloutScrolls 25

Inquiring minds want to know.

34 0
Ging3rSnap 9

The cutting of the pear and offering to share it was a symbol for breaking up. If you are given a pear you are to eat it yourself; otherwise you are separating the "pair"

115 2
gracehi 31

Does the pun work in Chinese as well? Or do they use the pun from the English language? So many questions!

41 1
icefishbaby 14

"Fen Ii (to split a pear) also sounds like fen Ii (to depart). Therefore, it is unlucky to cut a pair in half for your lover, as it may result in your splitting up."

93 1
band_geek 18

It's a play on word in their own language. It's like how when in Korea, if you're trying to apologize, but don't really want to say it, they give an apple as a form of apology due to apple in Korean (pronoucned sah-gwa) sounds like "sorry".

13 0
Limeila 10

This was on VDM (the French FML) first and I know the guy who wrote it. Yes it's a guy, not a girl like the website says ;)

1 1
naviajack626 16

She'll understand. How could she expect you to know?

19 1