(A view of the beach, which is about five minutes away from our dorm - Xiamen is an island with Xiamen Airport at the very northern part and Xiamen University at the very southern part)
One of the biggest changes we have had to get adjusted to, besides the massive language barrier, is the fact that we are stared at every where we go. Language is definitely the main differing aspect of being here in China, for sure! We were trying to figure it out the other day – is it possible to have intensively studied any other language than Chinese for an entire year, go visit the country, and still not be able to read a single thing? In other words, be completely illiterate, even though you’ve already put so much effort in and can barely speak to a small child, let alone a grown adult? It’s so difficult to deal with, at times! But we’re still trying our hardest. :D
Everyone has had different reactions to being constantly stared at. The Asian people in our group that were born in China or raised in Asian households get no looks what so ever, unless people speak them and they’re unable to speak back as fluently – then they get odd looks, until they can explain they’re American. We have Derek, who is African American and tall, and I respect him so much for being here and tolerating the looks of amazement that he always gets. Phebe was blonde (but has since dyed her hair black) but still has some wonderfully artistic tattoos on her arms, and she has blue eyes to boot. I’m a typical weiguoren (foreigner) with my white skin, blue-ish eyes, and curly hair – there’s no blending in for any of us. And the weirdest thing is when people start taking pictures of us! I’ve had one or two requests myself to be in a picture. The latest one was when a girl came up to myself and Diana, another participant on this program, asking to get her picture with us. Diana ran away, not wanting to be involved – I just stood and smiled, doing that typical peace sign pose and knowing I would never know what would happen to this picture. I find it amusing, though it’s making other people so uncomfortable!
Imagine not being able to blend in with the crowd! Just think about it. If they were hostile looks, it would be so much more difficult to deal with. That’s how I feel most foreigners are treated in America, though here, the stares are just of curiosity and friendliness. Because of that, the looks I’ve been getting haven’t bothered me in the least. I smile at the people that stare and sometimes get smiles back. In our culture, it’s rude to stare…but here, if you’re different, it’s a given. It fascinates me! Though I hope my fellow participants will be able to deal with it after a while, too. I guess I’ve gotten so used to the feeling of being weird and an oddity where-ever I go that now that people are openly staring at me instead of thinking I’m weird behind my back, it is easier to deal with :) But it’s definitely a part of going to China that most people don’t think about – you are constantly a spectacle and on show!
(My favorite picture from the Economics Conference we went to, in which we were constantly photographed! I couldn't help taking a picture of my own)
2 comments:
That's interesting. Maybe it's your hair....never seen anything like it, sister!
I would've thought that you would have had more of that in your trip over the summer.
Have a good morning Megan,
XOXO, Mel
Nope, actually - we were rarely stared at in Singapore since it's so open to global market forces and foreigners constantly doing business there. They were all very used to seeing foreigners so we were only stared at when we were in a large group (because all together, we were quite a weird group...)
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