So....I haven't been updating. Mainly because I've been busy. I haven't been going out and doing a lot of stuff, I've been doing homework, going to class and catching up with friends. I haven't had a bunch of new experiences to report. I know I did a blog about genders last semester, but that was more about jobs. This one I want to discuss different genders. Like how they are expected to act between each other and what I find problematic. The guys here are more oriented towards being a gentleman than the guys back home.
I guess walking is a good place to start. A few times I have walked with guys and they have 'steered' me through traffic. At first I thought it was just cause I was a foreigner and I am not as familiar with the traffic rules as they are. Then I noticed that guys do the exact same thing to their girlfriends. Its one of those things that I have mixed feelings about. Its cute because they are being protective, trying to ensure the girls safety. Its annoying because its like she is being treated like a pet or a child, being steered through traffic. I have also noticed that guys will put themselves between the girl they are with and any danger they perceive. Like a pretty deep ditch. The guy will walk between the girl and it, just to make sure that she doesn't fall in.
Going out to eat is a whole new set of rules. I have had a job for years. So I'm used to being able to pay for things. But when I'm here and people ask me to hang out they will almost never let me pay or even split the bill (they call it going AA). If it is a guy friend who has asked me out he won't let me pay at all (unless its a large group). Recently I went to Haidilao and 3 guys paid for 2 girls. Which made me feel like a mooch. Again I have mixed feelings about this. I'm older than most of the guys on campus and I have actually had a job. So....I don't feel comfortable letting someone younger than me who has never had a real income pay for my food. Even though I'm a guest in this country, it isn't like I'm staying here for two weeks. It just feels weird.
Then there is food. It is considered polite to pour drinks for people....and to put food on their plates. Now the refills I am totally cool with (and I do it too now). If you are going to refill your drink, you might as well make sure your friend's drink is full too. But....the food being put on my plate is a little weird. I know its the polite thing to do. And both guys and girls do this now, its not just guys. When it happens I feel like I'm a two year old. I get the feeling that either they think I suck at using chopsticks or that they are playing the mom (or dad) and I'm the little kid they got to take care of. Keep in mind this is not what they are intending at all. They don't think any of this stuff, its just how I feel when it happens. I'm working on it. Its just a difference in culture. This being said, I really like Chinese-style of eating better than Western. Its much more interactive if you have 5 dishes for 3 people and everyone shares. You get a feeling of closeness when you eat that you don't get when you eat Western-style. So maybe I'll be really happy about it some day. I don't know. Also I need to take more photos....I just haven't been doing new things so I haven't been taking photos. So I'll work on that. Sorry....
I guess walking is a good place to start. A few times I have walked with guys and they have 'steered' me through traffic. At first I thought it was just cause I was a foreigner and I am not as familiar with the traffic rules as they are. Then I noticed that guys do the exact same thing to their girlfriends. Its one of those things that I have mixed feelings about. Its cute because they are being protective, trying to ensure the girls safety. Its annoying because its like she is being treated like a pet or a child, being steered through traffic. I have also noticed that guys will put themselves between the girl they are with and any danger they perceive. Like a pretty deep ditch. The guy will walk between the girl and it, just to make sure that she doesn't fall in.
Going out to eat is a whole new set of rules. I have had a job for years. So I'm used to being able to pay for things. But when I'm here and people ask me to hang out they will almost never let me pay or even split the bill (they call it going AA). If it is a guy friend who has asked me out he won't let me pay at all (unless its a large group). Recently I went to Haidilao and 3 guys paid for 2 girls. Which made me feel like a mooch. Again I have mixed feelings about this. I'm older than most of the guys on campus and I have actually had a job. So....I don't feel comfortable letting someone younger than me who has never had a real income pay for my food. Even though I'm a guest in this country, it isn't like I'm staying here for two weeks. It just feels weird.
Then there is food. It is considered polite to pour drinks for people....and to put food on their plates. Now the refills I am totally cool with (and I do it too now). If you are going to refill your drink, you might as well make sure your friend's drink is full too. But....the food being put on my plate is a little weird. I know its the polite thing to do. And both guys and girls do this now, its not just guys. When it happens I feel like I'm a two year old. I get the feeling that either they think I suck at using chopsticks or that they are playing the mom (or dad) and I'm the little kid they got to take care of. Keep in mind this is not what they are intending at all. They don't think any of this stuff, its just how I feel when it happens. I'm working on it. Its just a difference in culture. This being said, I really like Chinese-style of eating better than Western. Its much more interactive if you have 5 dishes for 3 people and everyone shares. You get a feeling of closeness when you eat that you don't get when you eat Western-style. So maybe I'll be really happy about it some day. I don't know. Also I need to take more photos....I just haven't been doing new things so I haven't been taking photos. So I'll work on that. Sorry....
Alex writing the first line of the Dao De Jing (道德經)
Rocky found the peanut butter (hard to find in China)
Me eating noodles for lunch at the cafeteria. It cost a dollar (7 Yuan)
Unlike the fortune cookie, egg rolls actually do exist in China. They are called Spring rolls.
Our new cat, Rocky named him Oscar. He's very loud.
Fries I bought at a cafe that my classmate Liu Chang showed me. With REAL ketchup! So good!
I re-dyed my hair today. Its blue. My shirt is purple.
I don't like the refills when it comes to alcohol, because I don't drink too much, but it's would be considered impolite if someone wanted to refill my glass and I said no.
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