Gen 23 -- Singlish version

This chapter never ceases to fascinate me. The custom of polite bargaining and reading "between the lines" is so Chinese! And so Singaporean. So, this is the Singaporean (irreverent) version:

Abraham: "I want buy land bury my wife. Can sell me?"
The Hittites: "No need pay, lah! Can give you free!"
Abraham (pretends not to see Ephron, who's sitting among them): "Oh, let me buy... Can talk to Ephron for me? I can buy -- full price, no problem!"
Ephron: "No need, no need. Can give you!"
Abraham: "Can pay, can pay. No problem, can pay."
Ephron: "Aiyah, worth 400 shekels only. No need to talk anymore ah."
Abraham: "Oh, must pay. Must give you... I insist..."
Ephron (reluctantly): "Aiyah, give also don't want. Okay lah... if you insist..."

So amazing, this save-face procedure, which continues until today, at least among the Chinese. I don't really know any Mid-eastern people, so I can't say if it still continues among them, although I suspect it does.

Prayer:
Father, may we continue to be sensitive to the cultural mores of the different peoples we meet in our lives. May we demonstrate the tact & sensitivity of Abraham wherever you send us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.