There are basically a few pre-set conversation patterns I employ when interacting with locals of various age groups – knowing how to control a conversation allows one to easily fool locals into thinking that you’re a hyperfluent genius. For example, young Chinese men enjoy talking about video games (I’d wager that something like 70% of college students are wholly employed as Gold Farmers). While these conversations provide an opportunity to reminisce about the glory days, they also reinforce my oath never to dabble in goal-directed-behavior-usurping digital crack. Then at dinner one night a Chinese friend indicated that he had been playing ‘DotA’ until 5am, when asked why he looked so strung out. Upon hearing the sacred phrase (‘Doh-tuh‘) a Swede came running over (from quite a distance) and revealed that he also was addicted. I thereupon broke into a fit of childish glee.