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The life of a TaiTai 太太 lady

What is a TaiTai 太太?
noun 
1. A term used in Chinese circles for supreme wife (implying situation where a man is wealthy enough to have several "wives") but no longer strictly interpreted. Term now applies to citizens of the world with an Asian viewpoint who have bounds of time and money. A TaiTai 太太 is a privileged lady of means. 
2. Supreme of the Supreme is its literal translation. The term implies respect.
Real TaiTai's 太太 meet the following criteria
1. A tremendous amount of leisure time
2. Lots of money to spend. A TaiTai 太太 travels a lot
3. Concerned about status, social standing, and owning the 'latest in anything" that is remotely hot (ie: Pashminas. Fendi Baguette Bag,....) God Forbid a TaiTai 太太 be seen with last year's style!
4. Keenly interested ih beauty upkeep (Pedicures / manicures/ facials/ slimming treatments) Will stop at nothing to eradicate the tiniest sign of ageing.
5. Often associated with do-good charity works and community.
6. Discerning about the company she keeps. Must be in the right social circles
7. Well educated and global in perspective. Has lived on more than one continents. Experience and detail are what distinguishes a real tai tai from the wanna-be's.
8. Buy in multiples and only the real thing. To get a better price and for their other homes in New York, London, Hong Kong, Vancouver and Singapore, they will bargain.

Of course the word TaiTai is more than what my sister and I used to describe our paternal grandfather. I can  tell with a straight face that we had never seen him sober. The few times we saw him, he was either slouched in a post drunken midday stupor or be boisterous with the little kids around him dancing to an imaginary tune murmuring tai,tai,tai.... Hence, his nickname was Tai Tai Tata so as to differentiate from our maternal grandfather who had his own not so braggable feats himself.
Ka ching!
Of course I was fascinated when I stumbled upon this concept of Tai Tai lady, which I think is every Asian lady's secret wish. Laze all day, pampered by maids and butlers at the lift of a finger, showed compassionate to the downtrodden and the abused as though as to wash away their own  guilt of unladylike behaviour to people around them, appear to be seen charitable so her own 'friends' can die of envy, brag about their achievements, keep their appearance spick and span, pedicure, manicure, waxing, botox, capsicum wrapping body contouring, wrapping in latest wear complemented by matching accessories and brag all day about their children's achievements of who she probably do not know about their whereabouts! The cash cow (ka ching!) probably is  more than happy to be away from the clutches of the tai tai wife and is probably is quite immersed up to the knees with his own imbroglio!
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Comments

  1. Anonymous31 March 2013 at 14:40

    Tai tai got his name due to his ability to dance around after consuming alcohol drink...toddy

    ReplyDelete

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