If the stereotypical Shanghainese girl had a theme song, there’s only one song that accurately captures it. And it’s loud in clear in the chorus: “We are living in a material world, and I am a material girl.”
I stumbled upon this LA Times article and couldn’t help but think about how accurate it was – Well at least in Shanghai (and probably Beijing). I’m amazed at how materialistic some of these people in Shanghai are. I never saw it like this in Nanjing.
Shanghai's changed a lot and the love of high-end goods is a little out of control. What used to be my favorite Japanese noodle restaurant is now Tiffany’s. And where a street of random Shanghai shops once stood Hermes will soon take its place. The two blocks I walk from the metro station to my office I pass Coach, Cartier and Louis Vuitton, the bane of my existence.
It’s like urban sprawl; only the sprawl is donned with hefty price tags.
And I feel bad for these Chinese guys, I really do. Some of these women’s expectations are just plain unrealistic. Prior to the move to Shanghai, I remember a coworker saying that he couldn’t live in Shanghai. “Why?” I wondered. “Because in Shanghai women won’t date you unless you have a car,” was his response.
This isn’t the first article I’ve come across that shares this same idea. Women will waste a good half of their monthly salary just to carry around a designer label. A ball-park average salary for a woman in her mid 20’s in Shanghai is about 5,000 RMB. A handbag at one of these stores is at least 3,000 RMB. You can do the math. Granted, they probably live at home so they don’t have quite as many expenses, but still. You could have saved that 3000+ for a down payment. But oh wait, that’s the guy’s responsibility.
With this kind of attitude it’s no wonder why guys are so desperate. And having to go to mom and dad for the money? I can already see the looks on my parents faces if I (or my brother) were to ask for large sums of money to put a down payment on a house just so a guy (or in my brother’s case girl) would marry him. My parents love me, but shelling out that kind of cash isn’t love... it's stupid.
As it did a few short years ago in the US, I’m sure the housing bubble will burst in Shanghai. And when it does, maybe then these young guys can finally afford the homes of their dreams (with the dream girl inside). Until then, I wish all you Chinese out there looking to marry the best of luck. Guys – good luck finding a girl who is not just looking for a roof over her head. And girls – the only thing I can say to you is good luck (and keep dreaming)!
Jun 25, 2010
Jun 22, 2010
The Chinese and the infamous "international"
Back when I was working in Nanjing, my boss (the Chinese one) used to love the word “international.” By hiring me and other foreign staff as non-teachers he wanted to make the organization more "international." When I first started, my job was to put together a template for a student newspaper that looked “international.” He even wanted our office to look “international.” It kind of became a running joke.
This is not an uncommon concept in China, however. Chinese companies always want to appear more “prominent,” “foreign” or “international,” and sometimes they go to great lengths to give off such appearances. A few friends have told me some stories where they were literally hired for an evening or the day just to pal around with the boss man of the company to make it seem like the company was in fact “international.” They’d usually go to some big dinner with a client or customer of the company and kow tow to the boss man, give him a little toast from time to time and make it generally look like the boss man was buddy-buddy with the foreigner. Then, after the charade was done, it was back to normal life.
Granted, I’ve never had to do anything like that, but I came pretty close the other day when I was asked to go to a press conference. The morning my boss asked me to go, her exact words were, “They just want to make it seem more ‘international.’” And here I thought my days of adding an “international flavor” were over. I am, after all, working for one of the country’s largest newspapers.
I get to the press conference with my coworker. We’re trying to get where we’re supposed to be for this conference when this crazed looking Chinese woman comes at me saying something about “the foreigner, the foreigner.” She rushes us to the room where the conference is being held and proceeds to tell my coworker (in Chinese) that I’m supposed to ask a question. I realize, I’m getting more than I bargained for. I’m the foreigner in the monkey suit making the boss man look good.
The conference wasn’t for anything that exciting. And since it was all in Chinese, I didn't really understand what was going on. Nonetheless, I read the question and everyone was happy. I even got a nice “hongbao” (a envelope of money). It goes against all the ethics I was taught back in university – sorry UF J-school – and my personal ethics, but what can I do? I’m not gonna refuse almost $100 for asking a question and going to the conference.
It’s funny how things work here. Staged questions at press conferences, using “laowai” to make themselves seem more “international” and even offering gifts to journalists (a common practice that they don't mind being completely unethical). I’m pretty sure they know that this wouldn’t fly in any Western country, and they really only do this stuff in front of their fellow Chinese. It’s all about “face.” And luckily for me, I have a face that makes them look good and earns a little extra cash.
This is not an uncommon concept in China, however. Chinese companies always want to appear more “prominent,” “foreign” or “international,” and sometimes they go to great lengths to give off such appearances. A few friends have told me some stories where they were literally hired for an evening or the day just to pal around with the boss man of the company to make it seem like the company was in fact “international.” They’d usually go to some big dinner with a client or customer of the company and kow tow to the boss man, give him a little toast from time to time and make it generally look like the boss man was buddy-buddy with the foreigner. Then, after the charade was done, it was back to normal life.
Granted, I’ve never had to do anything like that, but I came pretty close the other day when I was asked to go to a press conference. The morning my boss asked me to go, her exact words were, “They just want to make it seem more ‘international.’” And here I thought my days of adding an “international flavor” were over. I am, after all, working for one of the country’s largest newspapers.
I get to the press conference with my coworker. We’re trying to get where we’re supposed to be for this conference when this crazed looking Chinese woman comes at me saying something about “the foreigner, the foreigner.” She rushes us to the room where the conference is being held and proceeds to tell my coworker (in Chinese) that I’m supposed to ask a question. I realize, I’m getting more than I bargained for. I’m the foreigner in the monkey suit making the boss man look good.
The conference wasn’t for anything that exciting. And since it was all in Chinese, I didn't really understand what was going on. Nonetheless, I read the question and everyone was happy. I even got a nice “hongbao” (a envelope of money). It goes against all the ethics I was taught back in university – sorry UF J-school – and my personal ethics, but what can I do? I’m not gonna refuse almost $100 for asking a question and going to the conference.
It’s funny how things work here. Staged questions at press conferences, using “laowai” to make themselves seem more “international” and even offering gifts to journalists (a common practice that they don't mind being completely unethical). I’m pretty sure they know that this wouldn’t fly in any Western country, and they really only do this stuff in front of their fellow Chinese. It’s all about “face.” And luckily for me, I have a face that makes them look good and earns a little extra cash.
Jun 20, 2010
Chinese drivers are the worst!
The inevitable has happened. After almost a year straight in China and all the times I’ve been here before, I’ve finally been in a taxi accident. It’s a bit overdue, and I feel as though its a right of passage to really "living" in China. That’s not to say it wasn’t one of the most terrifying things that’s ever happened to me.
I was on the way home from a fun party with some old SH friends and about a block from my apartment when the incident happened. We were stopped at a stoplight just before the turn to my apartment when WHAM, my head knocked against the side of the car and just outside my passenger door window was a blue construction truck ramming the side of the taxi. My memory is blurry, but I even think the side of the car came of the ground. I was sliding to the other side of the cab when the truck finally stopped. I was terrified. All I could do was sit and make sure my head was OK and then, in girly fashion, start crying. I can count on one hand the number of car accidents I’ve been in, but being in one in China was a lot different.
Still in shock, the taxi driver asked if I was ok and if I “had time.” I guess he wanted me to stick around and talk to the police. I sat in the car for about 5 minutes unsure of what to do. Once the cab driver realized I just wanted to go home and that my Chinese probably wasn’t too good enough to talk to anyone, he said I should just go home. Luckily I was totally fine. But the experience was a definite reminder of what I’ve thought all along – that a lot of Chinese drivers are idiots.
The quality of drivers is definitely better in Shanghai – mainly the taxi drivers. They obey traffic signs and seem to know what they’re doing when navigating crowded streets more so than in Nanjing (+1 Shanghai), but you also get a lot of out-of-towners who have no clue what they’re doing, probably like that moron truck driver.
On the way to Changzhou and the dino amusement park with Ellen and her family, I remember fearing for my life a few times. Her dad is the worst driver I have ever ridden with, and that’s saying a lot with some of the idiots I’ve been in cars with. Her dad got lost and reversed on highways, stopped for minutes at a time on exit ramps to read maps and even drove without headlights for much of the night on the way back to Nanjing – a surprisingly common mishap among drivers. Seriously, I don’t know how more people don’t die in car accidents in China.
One time, a taxi driver asked if I ever drove in China. I replied with a strong “No way.” I tried to explain that Chinese drivers are much different than American drivers. He seemed to know and understand what I was talking about. If even the taxi drivers know that Chinese drivers are bad, then all the more reason to stay off the roads.
I was on the way home from a fun party with some old SH friends and about a block from my apartment when the incident happened. We were stopped at a stoplight just before the turn to my apartment when WHAM, my head knocked against the side of the car and just outside my passenger door window was a blue construction truck ramming the side of the taxi. My memory is blurry, but I even think the side of the car came of the ground. I was sliding to the other side of the cab when the truck finally stopped. I was terrified. All I could do was sit and make sure my head was OK and then, in girly fashion, start crying. I can count on one hand the number of car accidents I’ve been in, but being in one in China was a lot different.
Still in shock, the taxi driver asked if I was ok and if I “had time.” I guess he wanted me to stick around and talk to the police. I sat in the car for about 5 minutes unsure of what to do. Once the cab driver realized I just wanted to go home and that my Chinese probably wasn’t too good enough to talk to anyone, he said I should just go home. Luckily I was totally fine. But the experience was a definite reminder of what I’ve thought all along – that a lot of Chinese drivers are idiots.
The quality of drivers is definitely better in Shanghai – mainly the taxi drivers. They obey traffic signs and seem to know what they’re doing when navigating crowded streets more so than in Nanjing (+1 Shanghai), but you also get a lot of out-of-towners who have no clue what they’re doing, probably like that moron truck driver.
On the way to Changzhou and the dino amusement park with Ellen and her family, I remember fearing for my life a few times. Her dad is the worst driver I have ever ridden with, and that’s saying a lot with some of the idiots I’ve been in cars with. Her dad got lost and reversed on highways, stopped for minutes at a time on exit ramps to read maps and even drove without headlights for much of the night on the way back to Nanjing – a surprisingly common mishap among drivers. Seriously, I don’t know how more people don’t die in car accidents in China.
One time, a taxi driver asked if I ever drove in China. I replied with a strong “No way.” I tried to explain that Chinese drivers are much different than American drivers. He seemed to know and understand what I was talking about. If even the taxi drivers know that Chinese drivers are bad, then all the more reason to stay off the roads.
Jun 15, 2010
Back from a respite!
Well I have been a very busy cookie lately, hence the lack of posts. From adjusting to the new job, doing some freelance, starting Chinese lessons and now teaching a little Chinese girl, there’s been little time for blogging. Now that the summer seems to have arrived and its so humid that you start feeling sticky within 5 minutes, I’ll probably be spending more time indoors.. Aka blogging.
So, I’ve been back in Shanghai almost 2 months now. I’ve been back to Nanjing a few times to see the significant other and, you know, I’m torn on what city I like better. There are some aspects about Shanghai that make life so much more convenient, but there are a few things that I miss about Nanjing. So, in light of the World Cup and the fierce competition going on (OK - yall probably aren’t watching the World Cup) that I thought I’d have a little series to see which city is really better for me. May the best city win.
First on the score card, and the most important, is the food selection. I have felt (almost) like I’ve been home for two months with the food selections in Shanghai. The foreign grocery stores have a great selection of foreign foods (they even have turkey – no Chinese people don’t eat turkey) and cheap fresh veggies, bread and fruits. And there’s almost every kind of restaurant. There’s good Chinese, Indian, Thai, Italian and even a Mexican place that is somewhere between a Mexican place and Moe’s. There’s no queso dip to be found, but I’m dealing. The only downside is its expensive. And while Nanjing really only had a handful of tasty restaurants, they were always good and cheaper than in Shanghai. There’s also the variety issue. There was pretty much one of everything in Nanjing that was good. Here, there’s almost too much variety. But I have to say having more variety beats out the price. There’s always 5 kuai noodles to balance the budget.
+1 Shanghai
Next on the list is the esteemed DVD selections. While you at home are spending who knows how much on cable, DVRs or movie rentals, here in China I can get the latest movies and TV series for a steal. And now that I’m in Shanghai, the selection and quality are tip-top. I got season 5 and 6 of Lost and season 6 of The Office for about $20. And had I been in Nanjing it would have probably been like $10. While the quality and selection of DVDs is far better than in Nanjing, they are much more expensive here. And for something that I’m not likely to watch over and over again, I’m going to have to say I’d prefer to pay less for my DVDs even though the sound tracking maybe off from time to time.
+1 Nanjing
The nice thing about living in a country of more than one billion people is there is plenty to do. Nanjing, in particular, has some great historical sites, pretty scenic areas and even those hot springs. It’s really an interesting city that has been through a lot. But being in China’s business center, has its advantages. While it doesn’t have the historical aspect going for it, there are fun concerts, art galleries and museums that are always changing. And as far as sporting clubs, Nanjing’s only big one was a running group. Shanghai has an entire league for dodgeball, basketball, flag football and even volleyball. So while Nanjing’s history may be more interesting, there’s a lot more to do in Shanghai.
+1 Shanghai
Today’s winner is Shanghai. Despite the humid, sticky weather, Shanghai and I are really getting along right now. However, there’s only so much muggy, wet, rainy season I can handle. So Nanjing still has a chance to come back. We’ll have to see for next time.
So, I’ve been back in Shanghai almost 2 months now. I’ve been back to Nanjing a few times to see the significant other and, you know, I’m torn on what city I like better. There are some aspects about Shanghai that make life so much more convenient, but there are a few things that I miss about Nanjing. So, in light of the World Cup and the fierce competition going on (OK - yall probably aren’t watching the World Cup) that I thought I’d have a little series to see which city is really better for me. May the best city win.
First on the score card, and the most important, is the food selection. I have felt (almost) like I’ve been home for two months with the food selections in Shanghai. The foreign grocery stores have a great selection of foreign foods (they even have turkey – no Chinese people don’t eat turkey) and cheap fresh veggies, bread and fruits. And there’s almost every kind of restaurant. There’s good Chinese, Indian, Thai, Italian and even a Mexican place that is somewhere between a Mexican place and Moe’s. There’s no queso dip to be found, but I’m dealing. The only downside is its expensive. And while Nanjing really only had a handful of tasty restaurants, they were always good and cheaper than in Shanghai. There’s also the variety issue. There was pretty much one of everything in Nanjing that was good. Here, there’s almost too much variety. But I have to say having more variety beats out the price. There’s always 5 kuai noodles to balance the budget.
+1 Shanghai
Next on the list is the esteemed DVD selections. While you at home are spending who knows how much on cable, DVRs or movie rentals, here in China I can get the latest movies and TV series for a steal. And now that I’m in Shanghai, the selection and quality are tip-top. I got season 5 and 6 of Lost and season 6 of The Office for about $20. And had I been in Nanjing it would have probably been like $10. While the quality and selection of DVDs is far better than in Nanjing, they are much more expensive here. And for something that I’m not likely to watch over and over again, I’m going to have to say I’d prefer to pay less for my DVDs even though the sound tracking maybe off from time to time.
+1 Nanjing
The nice thing about living in a country of more than one billion people is there is plenty to do. Nanjing, in particular, has some great historical sites, pretty scenic areas and even those hot springs. It’s really an interesting city that has been through a lot. But being in China’s business center, has its advantages. While it doesn’t have the historical aspect going for it, there are fun concerts, art galleries and museums that are always changing. And as far as sporting clubs, Nanjing’s only big one was a running group. Shanghai has an entire league for dodgeball, basketball, flag football and even volleyball. So while Nanjing’s history may be more interesting, there’s a lot more to do in Shanghai.
+1 Shanghai
Today’s winner is Shanghai. Despite the humid, sticky weather, Shanghai and I are really getting along right now. However, there’s only so much muggy, wet, rainy season I can handle. So Nanjing still has a chance to come back. We’ll have to see for next time.
May 18, 2010
Anytime is a good time to cut your fingernails!
I’ve decided to lighten the mood with NYAFC, steer away from rants and bring you closer to my everyday life in China. Today I start with the ever-popular topic among expats (yet probably unknown to yall back home) that any time is a good time to cut your finger (and toe) nails.
So there I was. On the subway on the way to work and I see this middle-aged Chinese women hanging out cutting her fingernails on the subway. Now, it looked like there was a device on the finger nail clippers to catch fallen fingernails. However, one cannot guarantee there was not a fly-away fingernail here or there. (I’m sure we’ve all had to search for that one clipped fingernail that got away). Thank goodness I was not within shooting distance of a potential nail. And thank goodness I’m not the person cleaning the metro cars at the end of the day. Ick.
But, honestly, I was not caught off guard watching (and creepily capturing) this woman going at her nails. In fact, there is not a place that isn’t appropriate for a little trimming of the nails. I heard my boss the other day snipping away at her nails in her office. I’ve seen old men on the street hanging out on a bench clipping at their thick toenails. I even saw this one gay (in Nanjing mind you) find a pair of fingernail clippers on the floor of the bus, pick them up and start using them for his nails. Wow.
Only in China is any time is a good time to cut your finger(or toe)nails!
So there I was. On the subway on the way to work and I see this middle-aged Chinese women hanging out cutting her fingernails on the subway. Now, it looked like there was a device on the finger nail clippers to catch fallen fingernails. However, one cannot guarantee there was not a fly-away fingernail here or there. (I’m sure we’ve all had to search for that one clipped fingernail that got away). Thank goodness I was not within shooting distance of a potential nail. And thank goodness I’m not the person cleaning the metro cars at the end of the day. Ick.
But, honestly, I was not caught off guard watching (and creepily capturing) this woman going at her nails. In fact, there is not a place that isn’t appropriate for a little trimming of the nails. I heard my boss the other day snipping away at her nails in her office. I’ve seen old men on the street hanging out on a bench clipping at their thick toenails. I even saw this one gay (in Nanjing mind you) find a pair of fingernail clippers on the floor of the bus, pick them up and start using them for his nails. Wow.
Only in China is any time is a good time to cut your finger(or toe)nails!
May 16, 2010
Mucosolvan – country or cough syrup?
So I realize that I’ve been making maybe too serious of postings. So I decided to lighten the mood with a random China story.
So there I was. This morning before work I decided to see about getting some medicine to cure this on going cough that’s left me with a raspy voice for the past three days. Although the 80s themed roller skating party I went to Friday night probably didn’t help – only in China would they allow copious amounts of alcohol, roller skates and a bunch of rowdy foreigners looking to party during the weekend to all merge. Luckily, I survived. But my throat didn’t.
So anyway I’m in the drug store telling the who I assume was the pharmacist (or closest thing to it in China) my symptoms: coughing, sneezing, sore throat, the basics. She then decides that I need about four different medicines. Nope, I don’t think so. I decide on the one that seems to be the equivalent of Tylenol Cold and Sinus and this cough syrup.
As I was looking at the name of the syrup, I couldn’t help but laugh at the name of it – Mucosolvan. Maybe it was the drowsiness kicking in but as the day wore on Mucosolvan sounded like more of a Eastern European country than a cough medicine. Luckily, I could tell from the name that this stuff would cure my sickness with brute force.
Although the “brute force” of Mucosolvan and the other meds were not the best choice for 10 am. I mean, I asked the pseudo-pharmacist if they were going to make me want to go sleep (keep in mind this is in my very minimal Chinese), and she quickly knew what I meant and assured me they wouldn’t. Well, she was wrong.
About an hour into the work day it was all I could do to keep from passing out at the computer. And it didn’t help that I had to edit the most awful articles for a supplement today. Straight Chinese to English translations that not only required my attention to rewrite them but were incredibly unexciting. Of course it would happen the day I was drugged up on Chinese meds.
So there I was. This morning before work I decided to see about getting some medicine to cure this on going cough that’s left me with a raspy voice for the past three days. Although the 80s themed roller skating party I went to Friday night probably didn’t help – only in China would they allow copious amounts of alcohol, roller skates and a bunch of rowdy foreigners looking to party during the weekend to all merge. Luckily, I survived. But my throat didn’t.
So anyway I’m in the drug store telling the who I assume was the pharmacist (or closest thing to it in China) my symptoms: coughing, sneezing, sore throat, the basics. She then decides that I need about four different medicines. Nope, I don’t think so. I decide on the one that seems to be the equivalent of Tylenol Cold and Sinus and this cough syrup.
As I was looking at the name of the syrup, I couldn’t help but laugh at the name of it – Mucosolvan. Maybe it was the drowsiness kicking in but as the day wore on Mucosolvan sounded like more of a Eastern European country than a cough medicine. Luckily, I could tell from the name that this stuff would cure my sickness with brute force.
Although the “brute force” of Mucosolvan and the other meds were not the best choice for 10 am. I mean, I asked the pseudo-pharmacist if they were going to make me want to go sleep (keep in mind this is in my very minimal Chinese), and she quickly knew what I meant and assured me they wouldn’t. Well, she was wrong.
About an hour into the work day it was all I could do to keep from passing out at the computer. And it didn’t help that I had to edit the most awful articles for a supplement today. Straight Chinese to English translations that not only required my attention to rewrite them but were incredibly unexciting. Of course it would happen the day I was drugged up on Chinese meds.
May 11, 2010
Why I like the Expo (Part 2)
In the last post, I ranted on why the Expo is good for China because China is so “misunderstood” (sounds kinda like a high schooler, no?). So today, I thought I would share why the Expo is good for Chinese people. Because just as people in the West may not get China, the Chinese certainly don’t get the rest of the world.
My boyfriend has a theory that if the U.S. and China ever get in a war (which believe it or not, some college-educated people are convinced there’s going to be some massive WW III kind of war between the U.S. and China soon) that the U.S. only needs two teams of people. First, send in the “blonde brigade” where heaps and heaps of blonde haired, blue eyed men and women (preferably Pamela Anderson types) parachute in, distracting and awing the Chinese. Then you send in the big, tough guys with guns. Problem Solved.
My point in that kind of silly anecdote is that, generally speaking, the Chinese probably have the most narrow-minded idea of America, and the rest of the world, of any other people in the world. I cannot recall the number of times I’ve had a conversation with a black friend, Chinese friend or any other person who isn’t caucasian where a Chinese person has almost refused to believe that they are from America. The common response is, “You can’t be American, you don’t have blonde hair.”
You can’t really blame them - all that makes it to China from American pop culture is Sex and City, Prison Break and the leftover bad pop music that doesn’t make the cut at home. But I hope the Expo is a good way for Chinese people to see countries, not just the U.S., in a new way and is a start to ending their misperceptions of the rest of the world.
I am also excited for Chinese people who get to go to the Expo because the majority of Chinese people will never be able to leave their country. One of the things I have come to appreciate and love is my blue passport with that gold eagle. It is so hard for the Chinese to get visas to Western countries, especially the U.S.. It’s also incredibly expensive. In 2006, the World Bank reported that the average annual salary in China was just more than $2,000. To put into perspective, a round trip ticket to the U.S. costs about that much (maybe $1,000 if you get a good deal). So no, your average Chinese person or family is not in the position to afford a trip aboard unless they save for a long, long time.
With the Expo, Chinese people are able to at least get a glimpse into the outside world. They can see traditional clothes from Europe and South America, they get to see Mexican art and they get to try foods from places they may have not known even existed. And for all the hype in China that’s been surrounding the event, I say let them be excited to see life and cultures from so many other countries. I remember how I felt when I finished the “Around the World” beer challenge at my favorite bar in Gainesville. I had tried beer from 30 different countries - I was proud, accomplished and cultured (and no this was not in one sitting)! So I really can’t roll my eyes when I see all these excited and curious people anxious to see as many countries as they can.
So, for the sake of the Chinese, and the sake of any American not of white skin and blonde hair, I hope that the Expo helps Chinese people understand the world and the people that live in it a little more. Hopefully after seeing the U.S. Pavilion and the many diverse faces that make up the country, they won’t be so quick to disagree with my Asian-looking friend when they say they’re American because they’re not a member of the blonde brigade.
My boyfriend has a theory that if the U.S. and China ever get in a war (which believe it or not, some college-educated people are convinced there’s going to be some massive WW III kind of war between the U.S. and China soon) that the U.S. only needs two teams of people. First, send in the “blonde brigade” where heaps and heaps of blonde haired, blue eyed men and women (preferably Pamela Anderson types) parachute in, distracting and awing the Chinese. Then you send in the big, tough guys with guns. Problem Solved.
My point in that kind of silly anecdote is that, generally speaking, the Chinese probably have the most narrow-minded idea of America, and the rest of the world, of any other people in the world. I cannot recall the number of times I’ve had a conversation with a black friend, Chinese friend or any other person who isn’t caucasian where a Chinese person has almost refused to believe that they are from America. The common response is, “You can’t be American, you don’t have blonde hair.”
You can’t really blame them - all that makes it to China from American pop culture is Sex and City, Prison Break and the leftover bad pop music that doesn’t make the cut at home. But I hope the Expo is a good way for Chinese people to see countries, not just the U.S., in a new way and is a start to ending their misperceptions of the rest of the world.
I am also excited for Chinese people who get to go to the Expo because the majority of Chinese people will never be able to leave their country. One of the things I have come to appreciate and love is my blue passport with that gold eagle. It is so hard for the Chinese to get visas to Western countries, especially the U.S.. It’s also incredibly expensive. In 2006, the World Bank reported that the average annual salary in China was just more than $2,000. To put into perspective, a round trip ticket to the U.S. costs about that much (maybe $1,000 if you get a good deal). So no, your average Chinese person or family is not in the position to afford a trip aboard unless they save for a long, long time.
With the Expo, Chinese people are able to at least get a glimpse into the outside world. They can see traditional clothes from Europe and South America, they get to see Mexican art and they get to try foods from places they may have not known even existed. And for all the hype in China that’s been surrounding the event, I say let them be excited to see life and cultures from so many other countries. I remember how I felt when I finished the “Around the World” beer challenge at my favorite bar in Gainesville. I had tried beer from 30 different countries - I was proud, accomplished and cultured (and no this was not in one sitting)! So I really can’t roll my eyes when I see all these excited and curious people anxious to see as many countries as they can.
So, for the sake of the Chinese, and the sake of any American not of white skin and blonde hair, I hope that the Expo helps Chinese people understand the world and the people that live in it a little more. Hopefully after seeing the U.S. Pavilion and the many diverse faces that make up the country, they won’t be so quick to disagree with my Asian-looking friend when they say they’re American because they’re not a member of the blonde brigade.
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