@sueelleker
Yes, you are right, some languages do sound like arguing when they are not. Mandarin can be one of them. An animated conversation can seem very loud. We have many, many Mandarin speakers where I live. I had a Mandarin-speaking friend tell me that English speakers get louder when they laugh, but Chinese speakers quieter. But they are louder in everyday speech.
I wish I could learn Mandarin as immigrants from Mandarin and Cantonese speaking places are close to a majority here (they are in some neighbourhoods.) They enrich our lives in many ways.
Our building is about half and half. Most can now speak enough English to participate in our AGMs but it can be challenging.
I am pretty sure the conversation I referred to was an argument. They were shouting. But it was short-lived, and I could be wrong.
I'm sure my neighbours have heard DH and I have words too. Our neighbourhood is densely populated and sound travels, especially with windows and doors shut.
Now I am hungry for a dim sum meal. We are told that Vancouver and surrounds have the best Chinese food in North America. Dow mu (pea shoots with garlic) is my favourite. Very pricey but so good.
