RE: Do You Feel Homesick Easily?
Agree with your points about feeling homesick when things go wrong. This is especially true for me when I run across really inconsiderate behavior (smoking in elevators, cutting in line, being obnoxiously loud). At the beginning of my time in China, I wasn't so homesick with the exception of Christmas time. Now that I live here longer, I find that I don't really mesh with Chinese people all that well. Even when I try to actively be friends with them. I feel like we have different values and because they are so worried about "face", they don't really open up. Not to mention half the things we do are probably viewed as crazy and reckless. Then again, maybe I haven't met the right Chinese people.
Spot on about the hospitals brother. I used to live up north in Jinan and every winter I'd get a nasty lung infection from the pollution. I dreaded going to the hospitals. Not only is there a lack of privacy but it seems super unorganized. We had to go up and down the elevators and then finally go buy our medicine...but wait it's lunch time so they shut down ALL of the pharmacy windows. Now I'm living in Hangzhou though and the hospital I found here isn't so bad actually. There is still the privacy problem and people barging in but I just ask the doctor if I can lock the door.
As a fellow expat living in China, definitely don't do a video on things you dislike here. That might just make you a target for some the more...nationalistic Chinese on the web. I think it'd be cool to see some videos with you interviewing Chinese people and/or expats with the same sets of questions.
Making friends with girls is a lot easier and they open up more. Or you can be like most foreigners and think your right hand is the only friend you'll ever need here.
Agreed. The girls seem to be a little more open-minded that's for sure. Some would say it's a language problem but I disagree. Most of the guys I meet are too full of bravado. On the other hand I do have a couple Chinese friends who are guys but they aren't like most of the men I meet here. Not trying to generalize.
What you talked about are very common problems we all have in China. Sure, we complain about it while we're here, but once we leave, we will reminisce about the good old times in China and laugh about all this nonsense.
Yep I'm sure there will be a lot I'll miss. This is one of the most convenient places I've ever lived. I'll be leaving in one months time so trying to soak it all in while I can. How long you planning on sticking around?
I'd like to make this my last year, at least in this city. All I can do is pursue what I want and see the result. I think I have stayed in the same job for long enough.