Pieces to the Puzzle
Time has absolutely flown by since Christmas. I don't know what happened - I blinked and it was already almost the middle of January, and the only reason why I noticed was it was 01-10-10 which I thought was a cool date. The good news is I got through another Christmas abroad, fairly unscathed - the bad news is I have final exams coming, a ton of Orang Orang to catch up on, and have managed to have almost 5% of my year already gone in a blink. This enjoying life thing is hard work, you know. And it is likely the main cause for this recent passing of time by in a blurry bolt of light and sound, delicious food and good friends.
I think it is fair to say that it is not every day I run into another human being that I like; let alone that I want to spend more time with; let alone that I want to try to spend as much time with as possible. Last week, I came across three people like this - and they were all together! So, I had the pure pleasure of bringing the other few people I love here together with them to share my current passion and obsession: Chinese culture and language - in my home, Beijing.
"The Swedish Trio", as I promptly called them in my phone's Contact List arrived in Beijing not long after Christmas, and in good time before New Years. The next week is literally a stream of joy. And in the midst of our enjoyment (which of course involved a lot of BiJiu), I was a little surprised by the knowledge I have acquired over the 25 months i have lived here. The Swedish Trio are all very smart, observant kids; and the questions they asked within their first 24 hours made me want to write this blog. You may not truly get to experience China without coming here; but if you plan to come, maybe a few of the next questions/answers will prepare you a bit.
The trio and I went to the great wall, of course, and I got to experience it with snow for the first time. So I will share some of my pics from that day whilst quickly answering some of their good questions.
What can you get in trouble for?
Nothing if you have white skin and/or look foreign. Peeing in the street, smoking in small enclosed public areas, drinking anywhere, driving you and your wife and three kids on the back of a motorbike without helmets, dragging your wife down the road by her hair, etc...they all fly. Drugs are likely the only thing a foreigner would get into serious trouble with - and that is only really localized to Beijing and Hong Kong.
What do you do if you're lost?
Jump up and down and cry to the nearest young person. If that doesn't work, get out your hotel's business card and point at it while looking at the taxi driver with big puppy dog eyes. Don't leave your hotel without one or two of those business cards.
What do you do in a taxi?
Do not jump up and down and wave your hands. Driving is dangerous enough here as it is. Get the taxi to call your hotel or a friend if there is a problem. Make sure the second you get in they put the meter down. Do not try to bargain. You will lose. They know the word for police - a single mention of that word will solve any problem.
What do you need to worry about?
Stealing of phones and other small electronics might be an issue in jam-packed subways and especially on trains. But all in all feel free to walk alone at night in dark alleys; eat unidentifiable foods; and act like you were born in a barn. The locals will likely tell you that you are being too polite. In addition, see below:
Why do they try to scam us? bargaining and cheating?
Because we have a lot more money than they do. Be grateful. Also, a few thousand years of Confucism would have you believing stealing and lying is ok too.
Why do people stare so much?
They're mothers never told them how rude it is.
Why do people spit so much?
Their mother's never told them how it makes other people around them sick.
What are they saying?
Wow look at that tall foreigner, he's so tall! Wow look how blonde his hair is, so blonde! Wow look how tall her nose is, she is so stylish and beautiful...Then when they get bored of that the next thing is usually, "Hey, you want to see my new phone?" or "how much did you pay for that?".
The pollution isn't too bad, eh?
Nope, not at all. It was much worse in 2007 when I arrived but Chinese people are changing and adapting faster and faster and now they know the sky can appear blue so are starting to make smarter choices as well as demand regulations from their government. Having said that, some days are better than others and some cities are certainly better than others too.
Why do the dudes have long finger nails?
Both long finger nails and white skin colour tell other people "I am not a farmer" and therefore they are supposed to mean they are at a higher level in society or something to the effect of 'white collar'. Of course the long pinky nail is great for getting those tough to reach spots too.
Can we eat that street food?
If a billion Chinese people do something every day, it can't be all that bad for us.
What do I say when I need to go to the washroom?
Do not put your hand like a WC as they will automatically assume you want three more beers (you are with the Canadian alcoholic, afterall). Say "W.C." and hold up toilet paper. PS, bring toilet paper everywhere you go.
Suffice it to say, my knowledge of this land is far from impressive. The China that China allows the world to see is the outer layer of a billion layered onion. The answers to some of these questions might allow the outsider to delve into a second layer, which one who has not been to China might not have access to. But along the road of bargain hunting, street food eating and Chinese opera watching, we also talked about a third layer. Some of the topics included family planning (the one child policy), laws, racism, foot binding and the role and expectations of women, history, politics, colours of buildings, crazy hidden meanings and symbolism in everything, and religion. During these more serious and slightly less practical chats, I was constantly coming back to the give-and-take of how I perceive this place as an outsider and how my teachers and friends see their home.
Namely, Chinese people blame all their worries and problems on the large population. Everything in their mind boils down to the fact that China's population is too big: so there is a lot of 'eating bitterness'; people need to work harder; wages are lower; lines are longer; 'competition is fierce'. And from what I have heard many North American's say, the large majority of China's challenges are due to their Communist government.
But I don't and I know a lot of other Westerners don't see it that simply. Yeah the large population causes of a lot of day to day conflict and annoyance. But the real stuff - the big stuff - in my mind all starts back 5000 years ago. I don't want to put you to sleep but I recommend one day asking me, if you are interested. For now I will leave you with an old Chinese folk tale.
井底之蛙，所见不广
一口废井里住着一只青蛙。有一天青蛙在井边碰上了一只从海里来的大龟。
I think it is fair to say that it is not every day I run into another human being that I like; let alone that I want to spend more time with; let alone that I want to try to spend as much time with as possible. Last week, I came across three people like this - and they were all together! So, I had the pure pleasure of bringing the other few people I love here together with them to share my current passion and obsession: Chinese culture and language - in my home, Beijing."The Swedish Trio", as I promptly called them in my phone's Contact List arrived in Beijing not long after Christmas, and in good time before New Years. The next week is literally a stream of joy. And in the midst of our enjoyment (which of course involved a lot of BiJiu), I was a little surprised by the knowledge I have acquired over the 25 months i have lived here. The Swedish Trio are all very smart, observant kids; and the questions they asked within their first 24 hours made me want to write this blog. You may not truly get to experience China without coming here; but if you plan to come, maybe a few of the next questions/answers will prepare you a bit.
The trio and I went to the great wall, of course, and I got to experience it with snow for the first time. So I will share some of my pics from that day whilst quickly answering some of their good questions.What can you get in trouble for?Nothing if you have white skin and/or look foreign. Peeing in the street, smoking in small enclosed public areas, drinking anywhere, driving you and your wife and three kids on the back of a motorbike without helmets, dragging your wife down the road by her hair, etc...they all fly. Drugs are likely the only thing a foreigner would get into serious trouble with - and that is only really localized to Beijing and Hong Kong.
What do you do if you're lost?
Jump up and down and cry to the nearest young person. If that doesn't work, get out your hotel's business card and point at it while looking at the taxi driver with big puppy dog eyes. Don't leave your hotel without one or two of those business cards.
What do you do in a taxi?
Do not jump up and down and wave your hands. Driving is dangerous enough here as it is. Get the taxi to call your hotel or a friend if there is a problem. Make sure the second you get in they put the meter down. Do not try to bargain. You will lose. They know the word for police - a single mention of that word will solve any problem.
What do you need to worry about?
Stealing of phones and other small electronics might be an issue in jam-packed subways and especially on trains. But all in all feel free to walk alone at night in dark alleys; eat unidentifiable foods; and act like you were born in a barn. The locals will likely tell you that you are being too polite. In addition, see below:
Why do they try to scam us? bargaining and cheating?
Because we have a lot more money than they do. Be grateful. Also, a few thousand years of Confucism would have you believing stealing and lying is ok too.
Why do people stare so much?
They're mothers never told them how rude it is.
Why do people spit so much?
Their mother's never told them how it makes other people around them sick.
What are they saying?
Wow look at that tall foreigner, he's so tall! Wow look how blonde his hair is, so blonde! Wow look how tall her nose is, she is so stylish and beautiful...Then when they get bored of that the next thing is usually, "Hey, you want to see my new phone?" or "how much did you pay for that?".
The pollution isn't too bad, eh?
Nope, not at all. It was much worse in 2007 when I arrived but Chinese people are changing and adapting faster and faster and now they know the sky can appear blue so are starting to make smarter choices as well as demand regulations from their government. Having said that, some days are better than others and some cities are certainly better than others too.
Why do the dudes have long finger nails? Both long finger nails and white skin colour tell other people "I am not a farmer" and therefore they are supposed to mean they are at a higher level in society or something to the effect of 'white collar'. Of course the long pinky nail is great for getting those tough to reach spots too.
Can we eat that street food?
If a billion Chinese people do something every day, it can't be all that bad for us.
What do I say when I need to go to the washroom?
Do not put your hand like a WC as they will automatically assume you want three more beers (you are with the Canadian alcoholic, afterall). Say "W.C." and hold up toilet paper. PS, bring toilet paper everywhere you go.
Suffice it to say, my knowledge of this land is far from impressive. The China that China allows the world to see is the outer layer of a billion layered onion. The answers to some of these questions might allow the outsider to delve into a second layer, which one who has not been to China might not have access to. But along the road of bargain hunting, street food eating and Chinese opera watching, we also talked about a third layer. Some of the topics included family planning (the one child policy), laws, racism, foot binding and the role and expectations of women, history, politics, colours of buildings, crazy hidden meanings and symbolism in everything, and religion. During these more serious and slightly less practical chats, I was constantly coming back to the give-and-take of how I perceive this place as an outsider and how my teachers and friends see their home.
Namely, Chinese people blame all their worries and problems on the large population. Everything in their mind boils down to the fact that China's population is too big: so there is a lot of 'eating bitterness'; people need to work harder; wages are lower; lines are longer; 'competition is fierce'. And from what I have heard many North American's say, the large majority of China's challenges are due to their Communist government.
But I don't and I know a lot of other Westerners don't see it that simply. Yeah the large population causes of a lot of day to day conflict and annoyance. But the real stuff - the big stuff - in my mind all starts back 5000 years ago. I don't want to put you to sleep but I recommend one day asking me, if you are interested. For now I will leave you with an old Chinese folk tale.
井底之蛙，所见不广
一口废井里住着一只青蛙。有一天青蛙在井边碰上了一只从海里来的大龟。
青蛙就对海龟夸口说： "你看，我住在这里多快乐！那些虾和蝌蚪，谁也此不上我。我是这个井里的主人，在这里快活无比。你为什么不到井里来游玩下呢！" 那海龟听了青蛙的话，倒真想进去看看。但它的脚被绊住了。它犹豫了一下，把大海的情形告诉青蛙说:"你看过海吗？海的广大，哪止千里；海的深度，哪止千来丈。住在那样的大海里，才是真的快乐呢！" 井蛙听了海龟的一番话，吃惊地呆在那里，心里想："我和大海比起来真是太渺小了。"
The Frog in the Well
Once upon a time, there was a frog who lived in a shallow well. He said to a big turtle from the East Sea, "I am so happy! I look around at the crabs and tadpoles, and none of them can compare with me. Moreover, I am the lord of this well and enjoy all the joys of life here. My dear lady, why don't you come in to visit my place?" The big turtle wanted to take a look. However, her leg froze as she was about to stretch over the lip of the well. She hesitated a while and told the frog about the East Sea.
"A distance of a thousand Li is
very long, but it is not enough to show how wide the sea is. A depth
of seven Li is profound, but it is not enough to show how deep the sea
is. The greatest happiness is to live in the East Sea." After listening to these words, the frog in the well was shocked: "How tiny I am beside the vast sea."
A frog
who lived in a well all his life never knew what the real body of waters
was until a sea turtle told him about it.......
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