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Travel, Teach, Live in China

Re: What is it like teaching in China
By:Turnoi
In Response To: What is it like teaching in China (lao)

Yes, in some parts of the world they do.

For example, in Mainland China - when you are in a backwater place poorly developed with poor infrastructure. People will keep staring at you and consider you an alien from planet Mars.

In such a situation, it would be helpful if you speak some Chinese. I do, and whenever I have had such a situation (not quite often, but at least 2 - 3 times), I started making fun of it. To those staring at me, I said in Chinese:

"Hello, I am Chinese. Do you speak Chinese?"

They then might reply in some way like this: "Yes, we speak Chinese (of course). But you are not Chinese, where do you come from?"

Me: " I come from my mother as you do".

They: "Yes, but your mother is not from China".

Me: "My mother is Chinese, she is from Xinjiang (north western part of China where the national minority of Uyghurs lives, and they look more like Western people). If my mother is Chinese, I also must be Chinese. Is this correct?"

They: "No, we do not believe".

Me: "Believe it or not. But why do you keep staring at me? Are you waiting for a crocodile, and do you think I am the crocodile you are waiting for?"
(I usually make jokes about crocodiles whenever I have an opportunity).

This nonsense conversation could go on for a while, but after some time, after they got to know me a bit, they left with a smile on their face. And I did as well.

That is what a positive encounter of people from different cultures may look like in everyday life situations.


Messages In This Thread

What is it like teaching in China -- lao
Re: What is it like teaching in China -- Turnoi
Re: What is it like teaching in China -- Gerry Tipton
Re: What is it like teaching in China -- Chris Clancy
Cut Loose At 50 -- Crane
A Brief Note on Foreign Devils in China...LOL -- Turnoi
Re: A Brief Note on Foreign Devils in China...LOL -- Evensteven
"Devil" or not "devil" -- Turnoi

Go to another board -