A Compliment And A Slap In The Face ๐
My whole time living in China I can only describe as many ups and downs. You know when you arrive for the first time to an amusement park and you look for the most crazy roller coaster? can you see it front of you ? Well life in China is almost like riding this one except it doesn't stop after 5 minutes.
So this week has been no different and I have felt both ups and downs. It started on Monday when I went shopping with my wife ( she was shopping I was carrying the bags). We were at Zara, and just when we were about to leave and we were walking down from the second floor to the first floor, where the cashier is, I bumped into an old class mate. We hadn't seen each other for more than 2 years. His eyes got big, and I thought it was because he was surprised to see me. Then he blurted out: " My God, you have gotten so fat". It felt like pouring Tabasco in an open wound and then putting some salt on top of it.
In China, it's normal to talk about weight gains, and apparently it's not supposed to be rude. Anyways, maybe it was good with a slap in the face so that I can start working out and taking better care of my health. Either way I know I have put on some weight and in the end I didn't feel like I wanted to be reminded of it.
So now from the slap on the face to the pat on the back. Yesterday I was out on a business trip and when I sat down on the train on my way back a lady was sitting there with her kid. There were three sets in a row and I had the middle seat she had the one next to the window. When we took off, I could see the isle seat was still empty, so I moved to the isle seat and told the mum that she could put her kid in the middle so that she didn't have to have her in the lap. She smiled and looked at me and we started talking a bit. Then she said: " Are you Chinese"?. It made me very happy that she thought my Chinese was good enough to ask this question. Because, she definitely didn't ask this question because I look Chinese.
Sonfrom being down the day before I felt on top again :)
I guess we all have our ups and downs . It's interesting though how much it has to do with the people around us and environment. Life here In China can be hard and the valleys are low, but the mountain tips are high and make it all worth it! Do you also feel like life is a roller coaster some times?
I think we all feel lifes up and downs and indeed it is like a roller coaster at some stages in our life, I think we all just have to strive to stay positive and keep moving foward
Yea that is the key. In the end you decide how you want to feel about yourself, it's important to not let others rule that's - Thanks for your comment :)
Yes I totally agree, like with my weight I was a bit over weight but when I gave up smoking 11 months ago I got carried away with snacks and such and I knew I was over Weight, 3 weeks ago I looked in the mirror and decided right there time to get this under control so in diet mode I am.
It wasnt till it was a bother to me was I going to do anything about it :)
Yea sometime younneednro be woken up, either by yourself or someone else!
Yes true for me it's often only when it gets into my thick skull LOL
It always make me uncomfortable how easily they speak about weight here. I'm not a fat person by any means but last year I had a bit of a gut. On a school trip we headed north to Inner Mongolia. One day we were riding horses and one of the trainers/stable-hands took it upon himself to walk up to me, pat my stomach, and laugh.
He didn't say a word.
At first I was a little mad (because I didn't even know the guy) but then I looked at myself and he was right. Ever since then, I've been hitting the gym. That is one area where Chinese are extremely straightforward. How do you handle their questions about salary?
Yea I mean sometimes it's a little bit too straight forward and it kills your mood. If I was not used to the culture here I would be offended. But what can you do ?
For salary I I just tell them it's a secret. Then they start throwing numbers at me guessing. I say ๅทฎไธๅคๅง hehe ๐
Hahah ๅทฎไธๅค is always an excellent answer. When I first came here, taxi drivers would always ask me about salary. I tried telling them the truth, but then they would stop talking and I actually got ripped off a couple times. Then I would say a low amount but now that I can speak Chinese fairly well I just tell them that's a rude question in my culture. I like your idea of saying it's a secret. That will be my go to from now on.
Hahha I mean it's a bit awkward when you are put in this position.. it's not something they need to know. But oh well you can't just go silent either .. I think ๅทฎไธๅค will work well for you hehe :) It sure has for me
China has that effect! Followed and voted
It certainly can have this effect ! Hehe
Life is definitely like a roller coaster (and I should know, I used to run some of the best in North America), and sometimes all you can do is hold on and enjoy the ride!
That is so true. Sometimes we have to accept that we are not in full control and just ride it out ! It sounds like you had an awesome work there ! Please tell me more :)
You've actually given me an idea for an in-depth article...watch for it in the near future!
I will be on the look out for sure !
What a great post! Appearance is a big deal in that culture. I noticed that it's mentioned a lot when I visited Taiwan in the past. And, I would rather have a few extra pounds and be able to speak fluent Mandarin any day of the week. You have no idea how lucky you are that you can speak fluently. I can only listen in and nod. And, by the way, you look great! So, phooey to your friend.))))
Thank you so much Karen, that made my day :) tip! 0.3
Well, it's true!!!!
@tipU - send tips by writing tip! in the comment, get share of the profit :)I really enjoyed your article. Thank you!
I'm glad you liked it :) !
All the time, maybe?
Hehe yea it was a bit of a rhetorical question.
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