Culture Shock

I just read through the first two posts on this blog. I didn't realize that with the amount of e-mails I've been sending and Gchats I've been having, I didn't make it clear how I first felt when I got here, on this blog! Well, allow me. EVERYTHING here is different: language, culture, transportation, manners, looks, signs...EVERYTHING. No one speaks English in this town (except for the ocassional guys who say "hello" as we walk by), and if you're looking for something, there is really no way to ask. Every sign here is in Chinese characters which we definitely do not read (yet...). My first few days were the most difficult--I was lonely, without internet, and bored, until I met Ewa and I never even explained who she was. She is also an AIESECer who has worked with Midea for 6 months. She lived in the same type of apartment building as I, and I had been e-mailing and chatting with her while I was in the US, to get a sense of where I would be coming to. Needless to say, I was not prepared for the toilets (or lack of toilets if you look at it that way) which are basically holes in the tiles in the bathrooms. I was also not prepared for the showers, which are in the same space as the toilets...so that I have to shower basically next to the toilet! AND I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THIS MUCH CULTURE SHOCK. Oh China... Only a few of my friends know and realize exactly how difficult it was for me the first week, so thanks guys! I just kept telling myself, do not let China defeat you, and in fact, it has gotten better and better. If I hadn't met up with Ewa though, I might already be back in the US (not really, but if you want culture shock, come to where I live in China, not Beijing or Shanghai...but this town that has around 3 foreigners living here, me being one of them).

The only really negative experience (worthy mentioning) that I have had thus far is when I went to Guangzhou last weekend, and had to use the restroom. I was walking to the subway to go back home to Beijiao on Sunday, and could barely hold it in, so I asked some teen in a supermarket in a strip mall where there was a bathroom. She looked at me blankly and said "Sorry, no, sorry". I figured I'd try one more before getting on the subway, and she pointed me to the next store over. Once I got there, I asked some young person (around 17-19 years old) where the bathroom was, and he just looked at me then started laughing. Then all his friends started laughing. Then everyone around started laughing and pointing and saying things in Chinese...most likely "Stupid American" or "White Devil". Nice right? I mention White Devil because there is a word for that here, and I have heard it used by Chinese people before. Anyway, I quickly left that teen-infested bike shop (that's what the store was), and waited to use the bathroom until I got home, a couple of hours later due to the 4 different subway lines I had to take, and the 40min bus ride. For those that don't know why I asked young people for directions, it's because it is a well known fact that if you want to speak English to someone that MIGHT understand, that person will be a teen or someone at a university, not an older adult.

I have to mention the motorcycles and scooters around here. Families use motorcycles as a form of transportation for the whole family (Dad driving, kid behind him, mom behind the kid, and baby on mom's lap). These are not the big Harley's you see in America, but little, dinky motorcycles, spewing fumes into the air, as black as the night sky. I also saw a man riding his motorcycle with his baby (yes, a baby probably a year old) behind him, while he was steering with one arm, and making sure the baby didn't fall off with the other. Oh, and at first he wasn't holding on to the baby, he only started to when he began speeding up on the big road. Pretty sites that I get to witness everyday...

Since today is Sunday, Kianie (my Australian friend if you don't know yet) and I went to the bigger shops. In one, a girl spoke to me in English, encouraging me to try on some dresses. No thanks, I won't try on something that I can buy in America for half the price. Some things are expensive, and some things are very cheap, and it mostly depends on whether it is a Chinese brand or an American brand. I also found some Dove shampoo that looks sealed, but most likely was opened previously...it cost around $13, when in the US, it would be around $5. Kianie said she saw tape for eyes in the make-up store. That's correct, tape for Asian girls to tape their eyelids in some way that will make them have a crease like an...well, American eye. I don't even know how to say that, maybe a NON-Asian eye? Are there even politically correct terms here? Probably not. More and more I realize why girls stare and smile at me, and turn their heads when I walk by. It's the culture of "American Beauty" and "American looks" that entices everyone.

Now it's time for me to hit the sack so that I can get up for work and not be late to get picked up. I think tomorrow at work I will continue my list of places I want to visit while in China...and start making a schedule for this to happen. Until next time!
By the way, Els- Your e-mail almost made me cry this morning when I read it. You are too good of a friend.