A Little Something about the Culture
The other day Jesse asked me what Chinese society is like. I was not able to give him a definitive answer and I still do not think I can. This is simply because society has so many different facets that no matter where I am I do not think I can fully describe the society I am in. However, I can mention some of the experiences I have had and talk about those.
I guess the first topic would be the so-called "worshipping of the white man". Being a white man I want to be careful as to what I say, concerning this topic. I definitely do not feel like I am worshipped here, nor would I want to be. If anything sometimes I feel like I am have been confronted simply on the basis that I speak English. This is not so bad because I get to meet new people, but I can not be a language partner to everyone I meet on the street. This is especially a problem when I visit Beijing Language and Culture University. Almost every time I have gone to that University I have been approached by a student to teach them English.
For example, the first night I was supposed to meet a friend I was approached by a student. I was in the middle of talking to a lady selling phone cards. I was trying to waste time because I was a little early to meet my friend. A Chinese girl approached the lady and started asking her questions, so I took a step back. I was naive in thinking that she only wanted to buy a phone card. After listening to her questions about what the use of card was I realized she only wanted to talk to me. I have not yet met a young Chinese person who does not know what phone cards are used for. Anyways, to make a long story short she asked me to be her language partner.
Another day I was skateboarding at Beijing Language and Culture University. My friend Kitty was watching because we were wasting some time before we got back to studying. After messing around on the 6 stair and then doing some grinds I noticed an older man watching Kitty and I. I thought he was paying attention to Kitty because the first time I met her there was an old man trying to get her phone number. Eventually the man approached me and complimented on my Chinese and then gave me his business card. This, of course, was followed by the question of whether or not I could practice English with him. I took his card, but did not give him mine and told him that if I had time I could give him a call. Needless to say I have not called him since.
This whole language partner phenomenon has caused me to consider how Americans consider foreign languages. On the whole, Chinese people all consider as learning English as a tool. If they learn English then their life will improve, but in America there are not too many people who consider learning a foreign language with the same attitude. Of course as globalization increases I think this idea is fading and more and more people are considering learning multiple languages as an advantage ... cough ... Jesse ... cough.
I mentioned previously that the man complimented my Chinese. This is just another experience I have had as being a foreigner in China. Because it is obvious that I am not Chinese I can say anything and it will impress people. This is could and bad. I mean it is super cool that everyone is welcoming and supportive, but on the other hand it almost seems condescending at times. The other day I went to the cafeteria and asked for a cup of cola and then they guy said back to me "Wow, your Chinese is good. How long have you been studying?". Asking for a cup of cola is something you learn in first year Chinese, so at times I want to say to tell them to give me a break, What I just said is no way to determine whether or not my Chinese is good. Sometimes it is hard to handle because from Monday to Friday everything I say is scrutinized, but as soon as the weekend comes I can things like, "Hi, I am from America, I like Chinese food" and all of sudden people take a second look because this foreigner spoke Chinese.
That is my experience of standing out as a foreigner, but I also have experiences as standing out as a skateboarder.
Before I left for China I asked my friend Alissa what she thought of me taking my skateboard to China. Being less of a "rebel" than I am she told me not to. Eventually I decided to take my skateboard with me. I figured, what is the worse that could happen. If I got arrested or anything of that nature it would just be another story. Thankfully nothing like that has happened. Actually my experience skateboarding has been quite the opposite. Most people I meet, especially young people, think it is neat that I skateboard. Pretty much like when I am in Seattle. I think it is because, even though China has the largest population in the world, many people are scarily similar. So to see something different is surprising.
I recently read a good story about someone else's experiences skateboarding in China. He mentions some of the same feelings that I have had. Check out Heckler's China Skateboard Tour.
Everytime I stop to skateboard somewhere there are at least a few people who stop what they are doing to watch me skateboard. I think it is because it is something they do not see too often. I think it would be safe to say I am the only student at Tsinghua who skateboards. I have even had my friend Kitty tell me her classmates have seen me skateboarding around Tsinghua. I guess I stick out like a sore thumb. I don't mind the attention I get from skateboarding, but sometimes peoples interests are too much. There have been a couple times where people get so excited to see a skateboard that they run up to me grab my skateboard and try to use it. I have to stop myself and remember that personal space in China is a totally different concept. In a place like America that type of action would certain get you a fat lip, but people don't understand that here.
I do not know whether this answered anyone's questions, but if anyone has comments feel free to share them and we continue this discussion.
I guess the first topic would be the so-called "worshipping of the white man". Being a white man I want to be careful as to what I say, concerning this topic. I definitely do not feel like I am worshipped here, nor would I want to be. If anything sometimes I feel like I am have been confronted simply on the basis that I speak English. This is not so bad because I get to meet new people, but I can not be a language partner to everyone I meet on the street. This is especially a problem when I visit Beijing Language and Culture University. Almost every time I have gone to that University I have been approached by a student to teach them English.
For example, the first night I was supposed to meet a friend I was approached by a student. I was in the middle of talking to a lady selling phone cards. I was trying to waste time because I was a little early to meet my friend. A Chinese girl approached the lady and started asking her questions, so I took a step back. I was naive in thinking that she only wanted to buy a phone card. After listening to her questions about what the use of card was I realized she only wanted to talk to me. I have not yet met a young Chinese person who does not know what phone cards are used for. Anyways, to make a long story short she asked me to be her language partner.
Another day I was skateboarding at Beijing Language and Culture University. My friend Kitty was watching because we were wasting some time before we got back to studying. After messing around on the 6 stair and then doing some grinds I noticed an older man watching Kitty and I. I thought he was paying attention to Kitty because the first time I met her there was an old man trying to get her phone number. Eventually the man approached me and complimented on my Chinese and then gave me his business card. This, of course, was followed by the question of whether or not I could practice English with him. I took his card, but did not give him mine and told him that if I had time I could give him a call. Needless to say I have not called him since.
This whole language partner phenomenon has caused me to consider how Americans consider foreign languages. On the whole, Chinese people all consider as learning English as a tool. If they learn English then their life will improve, but in America there are not too many people who consider learning a foreign language with the same attitude. Of course as globalization increases I think this idea is fading and more and more people are considering learning multiple languages as an advantage ... cough ... Jesse ... cough.
I mentioned previously that the man complimented my Chinese. This is just another experience I have had as being a foreigner in China. Because it is obvious that I am not Chinese I can say anything and it will impress people. This is could and bad. I mean it is super cool that everyone is welcoming and supportive, but on the other hand it almost seems condescending at times. The other day I went to the cafeteria and asked for a cup of cola and then they guy said back to me "Wow, your Chinese is good. How long have you been studying?". Asking for a cup of cola is something you learn in first year Chinese, so at times I want to say to tell them to give me a break, What I just said is no way to determine whether or not my Chinese is good. Sometimes it is hard to handle because from Monday to Friday everything I say is scrutinized, but as soon as the weekend comes I can things like, "Hi, I am from America, I like Chinese food" and all of sudden people take a second look because this foreigner spoke Chinese.
That is my experience of standing out as a foreigner, but I also have experiences as standing out as a skateboarder.
Before I left for China I asked my friend Alissa what she thought of me taking my skateboard to China. Being less of a "rebel" than I am she told me not to. Eventually I decided to take my skateboard with me. I figured, what is the worse that could happen. If I got arrested or anything of that nature it would just be another story. Thankfully nothing like that has happened. Actually my experience skateboarding has been quite the opposite. Most people I meet, especially young people, think it is neat that I skateboard. Pretty much like when I am in Seattle. I think it is because, even though China has the largest population in the world, many people are scarily similar. So to see something different is surprising.
I recently read a good story about someone else's experiences skateboarding in China. He mentions some of the same feelings that I have had. Check out Heckler's China Skateboard Tour.
Everytime I stop to skateboard somewhere there are at least a few people who stop what they are doing to watch me skateboard. I think it is because it is something they do not see too often. I think it would be safe to say I am the only student at Tsinghua who skateboards. I have even had my friend Kitty tell me her classmates have seen me skateboarding around Tsinghua. I guess I stick out like a sore thumb. I don't mind the attention I get from skateboarding, but sometimes peoples interests are too much. There have been a couple times where people get so excited to see a skateboard that they run up to me grab my skateboard and try to use it. I have to stop myself and remember that personal space in China is a totally different concept. In a place like America that type of action would certain get you a fat lip, but people don't understand that here.
I do not know whether this answered anyone's questions, but if anyone has comments feel free to share them and we continue this discussion.
posted by Jon Keto at
1:56 PM
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