Sitting here, I do not know how many times, I only know it is quite a lot, whenever he is the host and the one who bears the expenses. And as usual, it is still the familiar dishes such as grilled pork, stir-fried mung beans, bitter melon with eggs, and boiled peanuts. Nothing ever changes, only beer occasionally changes from one type to another, and today it is beer with a hint of fermentation.
He is a profound, subtle, and also very optimistic person when in any difficult situation, he always looks for the positive aspects. He always tells me: To live in life, one must know that enough is enough, do not be too greedy, of course, everyone is greedy, but one must learn to control oneself. And remember in life, the law of the jungle is frightening, but there is always the law of cause and effect to demand justice.
I have learned a lot from him, only one thing puzzles me: Why every time we go out for a drink, he only orders the same number of dishes, making me remember my classmates from high school, I do not know why, they always only eat three dishes: Boiled vegetables, stir-fried beans with tomato sauce, and fried eggs, while other dishes are rejected with a shake of the head.
Noticing that he is in a good mood, I ask: Why do you not order something different to try something new like braised beef tail, raw goat with lemon, or grilled fish? He smiles: It is simply because I am used to it.
Used to these dishes, used to the way of cooking and preparing food here, and used to the slightly pungent atmosphere, mixed with many flavors here. Like eating pho in the morning, he only eats at the stall at the beginning of the alley, which has been around for many years, passed down from father to son. While eating at other stalls, he cannot stand it, even the broth of it. It is too sweet, too thick, at the stall he eats, it is just right.
I remain silent because I remember reading somewhere the concept of "habit". Familiar with eating at a particular location, familiar with drinking at a particular place... and easily "used to" the idea that only eating and drinking at that place is the best, and not willing to try other restaurants.
He sees me sitting in a daze and says: I am also used to the scent of my wife's perfume. Because the scent of other women is too strong, too weak, too subtle, it is not worth anything.
