I better have a steep learning curve.
1. Develop a keen sense of SPATIAL AWARENESS.
This is probably the most important thing I've learned. One of the guys in my program is half-Chinese and he noted that this generation really is the very first generation of Chinese drivers. Hence the merging, lane changing, turning, and stopping like complete maniacs. Also, standing in line? Doesn't really happen much. So, whether you want to stay alive on the streets of Beijing or simply get on an elevator, know who and what is around you at all times.
2. Don't laugh at people wearing masks.
I know. In the US, it looks weird if someone is walking around wearing a medical mask. You might think they're being overcautious or pretentious. In China, however, the pollution is so bad that they sky is almost never blue and the sun is never ever yellow. My host sister in Shijiazhuang explained to me that the sky is always gray and the sun is always white and if they ever see a blue sky, it means that the following day will be extremely hot. I actually got sick in Shijiazhuang because my system wasn't prepared to filter out that much pollution.
3. Get used to the staring. Get used to the pictures. Get used to being a novelty.
Chinese people are shameless at this. Best thing to do? Smile and wave.
4. Just about anything can be eaten with chopsticks.
Watermelon? No problem. Pizza? Absolutely. Rice? You guessed it. Soup? Somehow, miraculously, yes.
5. Just because you can't speak the language doesn't mean you're stupid (even if they think you are).
This goes for Americans too. All this nonsense about "If you're in my country, you better speak my language" is completely obsolete. With the world becoming more and more connected (through internet, travel, etc.), knowing just a few important words and phrases (combined with a lot of pointing and sign language) is much more important for communication. Language is very cultural and has meanings that can go beyond simply conveying information. You are not stupid just because you don't understand those cultural meanings.
6. Watch your tone.
A former teacher in Chengde told us a story about a time when he was with his boss and a bunch of colleagues signing for his pay. He intended to compliment his boss (a woman) about her pen, which he said was nice and looked very expensive. However the word classifier for pen is zhī which looks the almost the same as the word for vagina (zhì). So instead of complimenting her pen, he accidentally sexually harassed his boss.
7. There are a ton of holidays in China.
Seriously, when I start teaching next week, I'll have 2 days of class and then a 3 day holiday. I get a week off in October for their National Heritage Day (think Chinese-version of 4th of July, only spread out over a week). I get 2 months between 1st and 2nd semester, and those are just the ones I know about. America, take note.
8. There is such a thing as Cheenglish and yes, it's as hilarious as it is sounds.
You'll see it everywhere. Menus that say "Sons of Milk Tea". T-shirts that say "Rock and Roll Never Die Will". Laugh it off. Don't bother to correct. Take lots of pictures to show your friends.
9. Don't drink the water.
Move over, Mexico. You've got a rival in the competition for worst water quality ever. Fortunately, bottled water is super cheap over here (about 9 yuan or $1.50 for a 5 gallon jug) and always readily available. Most Chinese drink bottled water or boiled water because the tap water is so bad. I personally have been buying tea and juice in large jugs and then reusing the container to hold tap water that I've boiled.
10. In most traditional style restaurants or cafeterias, portions are twice the size you'd expect.
In America, we always talk about portioning and eating smaller meals. Here, portioning doesn't exist. If Chinese people want to lose weight, they'll simply skip meals. This is likely because, if you go out to eat a lot (because restaurants are literally everywhere and relatively inexpensive), they will give you huge portions of everything you order. I made the mistake of ordering a big bowl of soup once. I could have split it with 4 people and still have been stuffed.
I have learned so much more, but there is also still so much more to learn. I am settling down into my apartment in Chengde, making friends with other foreign teachers and residents in my complex. I look forward to keeping this blog updated every couple of weeks. I will edit this blog to include pictures later, but I just wanted to get this out there now while it's fresh. Also, I want to go to bed because it has been a long, exhausting, exhilarating 10 days.
