"A Smile is the Same Around the World"

I remember some teacher telling me in elementary school that even if you don't speak the same language as someone, you can smile. And they will know what it means. I don't think that teacher ever lived in China...

I was teaching a class the other day and discussing the 2008 Olympics, which will be held in Beijing. My students were excited to tell me what they know.

Did you know that there are five Olympic mascots? Their names are BeiBei, JingJing, HuanHuan, YingYing and NiNi. It's from the phrase Beijing HuanYing Ni, which means, "Welcome to Beijing".

Did you know that they have given cassette tapes to all the taxi drivers in Beijing to encourage them to learn English?

Did you know they are cracking down on spitting in public in Beijing? Spitting is very common here, and not considered taboo or dirty.

Did you know that every Tuesday is "Stand in Line Day" in Beijing? Standing in line isn't a Chinese concept. For months I never got anything done when I moved here. I would stand behind another customer at the counter and wait for my turn. That person would leave, and before I could move forward, someone from behind me would cut in front. It's not rude, because everyone does it. So I learned. You just push a little through, with your money in your hand, and "take" your turn. If you wait for your turn, it will never come.

Did you know that they are teaching Beijing residents to smile at strangers on the street? In China you only smile at people you know. In America, we generally have a cheery demeanor, and may even give a cursory "hello" to passers-by on our way somewhere.

I explained this last concept to my class, and demonstrated by walking down the aisle of the classroom, smiling. One student said "you're crazy"! And she meant it. A smile is *not* the same in all cultures. In America it means friendliness, or at least acknowledgment.

In China, it means mental illness.

The year is almost over

Well, it's almost the end of my time here in China. I've avoided writing about it. I don't want it to seem like I have disliked my time here, and want to go. Because I have enjoyed being here. Not every day was good, but I learned a lot about another culture, and about myself.

In six days I will be in Guiyang. I'll spend the night there so I can catch my 8:00am flight. From Guiyang I'll go to Beijing; Beijing to JFK; JFK to Rochester. It's about 22 hours of traveling. But I'll be home, for good, at 7pm on Thursday, June 28th.

Between now and then I have one more final to give, and about a million finals to grade. My apartment is pretty well packed. I've shipped a couple of boxes to myself in NY, so I don't have much to pack. I'm washing my clothes for the last time (yay!), and still have to do sheets and towels. I just defrosted my freezer. I need to clean out my fridge and my cabinets. I'm not ready to leave, but I will be next Wednesday.

It's sad to say goodbye to my students. I've become attached to many of them. They are sweet, and make me feel like a good teacher. It's a nice feeling.

I'll try to write at least once more before I go.

I can't believe it's almost over.

The Kodak Store

Today I stopped by the Kodak store to get some photos developed. In China, if you take a picture of a person, you OWE them that picture. Literally, if I take a photo of a cute girl or an old man, that girl (or man) will expect the photo the next time I see them.

Anyway, since my dad worked for Kodak for so many years, I thought I'd take some photos of the store!