I learned what the term "strong cheese" really means.

March 1, 2009. Day .

A place I worked hired a lot of programmers straight from China (you don't have to pay people as much if they depend on an H1B). They were a quiet, insular bunch, some of them never spoke English. One day they all got excited about some food someone brought, they really brightened up, they seemed so happy. I was excited for them! I love learning about new foods. I kept trying to get a glimpse of what it was they were so excited about.

So they put this food in the microwave. In seconds, it smelled like someone burned a truck tire in the office. I had to open a window. But they were all eating and laughing. And one of the quietest guys, seeing a look of horror on my face, just smiled and said "Strong cheese."
I think it was the first and last words I heard him say.

I'd love to find out what kind of cheese it was, if it was cheese.

my former workplace on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan