Chinese Online Class - Trying to keep an open mind

CITYLIFE / My Opinion






Trying to keep an open mind

By Tabitha (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-07-05 15:57



Nails screeching on a chalkboard. Teeth clinking on a fork. Slow drivers
in the fast lane. These are common minor annoyances that cause extreme
frustration to people in the United States.

But since I've been in China I haven't seen a chalkboard, I don't use a
fork and there's no such thing as a slow driver here.

So what are the things that personally drive me mad as an American living
in Beijing?

When dining out at a restaurant, nothing gets to me more than the
waitresses standing over the table waiting on you to order. It makes me
feel uncomfortable and rushed. I try to motion for them to leave but they
keep standing there.

At the end of dinner, splitting the bill between everyone is especially
troublesome when everyone only has100 yuan notes.

I think it is unacceptable to not wash your hands after using the
bathroom. I have seen this many times and, considering the conditions of
the bathrooms, this is difficult for me to turn a blind eye to.

Also, I really do not like traveling with five people because you always
have to get two cabs. I know this is a safety issue but more than once I
have seen Chinese people fit four in the back seat. As a foreigner, I
feel like I get the raw end of the deal in many circumstances.


However as a westerner I always try to keep an open mind and attempt to
assimilate with Chinese culture. Sometimes I am a messy eater and spit
things on the table and I even find myself ignoring the formation of
lines and jumping right up to the front. These are characteristics I've
learned from the Chinese.

Nevertheless I don't think I will ever get used to how blunt Chinese
people can be when talking about a person's appearance and how they seem
to be totally oblivious to other people's personal space.
















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