🌆 A Heartwarming Chat in Dallas: "Beijing is So Safe!"

While on a layover in Dallas, I spotted a souvenir shop selling boba tea 🧋 — and you know I had to get in line! Just ahead of me was a friendly Black gentleman who, after witnessing my broken-English struggle to order, turned around and asked: “Are you from China or Japan?” “Of course China!” I replied with a smile (my inner Ningning voice aside 😉). And then — his face lit up! He excitedly shared that his friend had just visited Beijing and couldn’t stop raving about it: “Beijing is good! Beijing is so safe!” 🏮 Finally — someone who gets it! I immediately thought of the empty downtown streets here (see Pic 2 for daytime vibes 😅) — where you hardly see anyone walking even in broad daylight, let alone feel safe at night. I nodded eagerly: “Yes! Yes! I’m actually from Beijing — you should definitely visit, especially in autumn. Beijing in fall is so beautiful! And yes, it’s safe — you can walk around at midnight, do whatever you like.” He responded with even more enthusiasm — our conversation rolled on with lively (if slightly lost-in-translation) energy 😄🌏. Before parting ways — since my next stop was San Francisco — I asked: “How about San Francisco? Is it okay if I explore downtown alone?” He hesitated, then gave a reluctant: “I don’t suggest it.” 😬 Finally, he asked for my business card… and being a bit clueless (and slightly worried he meant credit card 💳🤣), I politely wrapped up our chat. #BeijingSafe #TravelConversations #DallasLayover #CulturalExchange