Comments on: Reverse Culture Shock

By: McBetty

McBetty — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:16:58 +0000

I think if someone had told me about repatriation before I move to China, I would not have made the jump.

My biggest problems is paying attention when people talk. I forget I can understand what they are saying and comfortably slip into my “sleep mode” in groups of more than 3. I literally had to focus in, eyes wide open to listen and comprehend the conversations. Plus only experiencing chinglish for 3 years with Chinese pronunciation…. let’s say quite challenging.

Then there is the problem of asking my friends to ask that sales clerk or any service employee questions for me. Finally my one friend looked at me sadly and said “Beck they speak English here. You are in America.”

Menus are also a problem. I can read every single thing on the menu! In China you understand a few characters know some dishes and that is what you go with. Beef noodles today or pork noodles. Simple. Too many decisions to be made with a menu I can read, especially for a Libran.

Friends have noted I am amazing at making my way threw crowds. I speak half Chinese and English at all times. One friend even pointed out I walk a little different. And yes, I have caught myself spitting food on the table. I walk into stores with cigarette in hand…forgetting you don’t smoke ANYWHERE you please in America. The most disturbing is my inability to use knife and fork properly and always wanting a bowl of rice to eat from.

Your Blog is brilliant BEN!

By: Jet So

Jet So — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:47:28 +0000

Hmm, you shouldn’t neglect your enhanced martial art of rapidly deploying your sharp elbows and iron-cuffed shoulders in nudging out the “competition” during shopping melees in after-Xmas or foreclosure sales.

By: Matt Schiavenza

Matt Schiavenza — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:52:14 +0000

I’ve been back less than 24 hours so don’t have much reverse culture shock experience yet, but what really struck me yesterday was walking past a giftwrap lady at the Vancouver Airport and hearing her sweetly ask me, “Good afternoon sir! Do you have any presents I can wrap for you today?”. I looked at her like she was crazy, as if to say, “What the hell are you talking to me for?”

By: Benjamin Ross

Benjamin Ross — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:08:32 +0000

@ anonymous how much subway riding experience did you have before? lots Do you really find the need to spit food on the table? yes, it isn't rude in China, it's just the way you get bones out of your mouth. Is your tv controller really that complex? I think a better question would be "Are my roommate's five TV controllers really that complex?" Sorry you didn't like the post.

By: Rebekah Pothaar

Rebekah Pothaar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:40:16 +0000

Ah ah ah, enjoyable as always. After 9 months in China, I did my first spit on the sidewalk…. there is no going back now. ohhhh and I took up smoking and smoke a pack a day. Damn cigs for being so cheap.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:50:59 +0000

I guess these were meant to be funny, but I don’t get it, from what I gather you spent almost all your time in China in Fujian where there is no subway (and being that you’re from Kansas, how much subway riding experience did you have before?). Do you really find the need to spit food on the table? Even after living in China for 6 years and going to restaurants here, I’m (and most Chinese people) are able to separate between restaurants where it is okay to do that and where it isn’t. Is your tv controller really that complex?

By: Rasta

Rasta — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:30:46 +0000

I love the observations about life in China. My one month in country definately left an impression on me.
Always carry your own towel. Rarely could I find a way to dry my hands after using the bathroom!
Learn to drink Really Hot Water! Everything, usually some sort of weak tea(green), is served piping hot. The gal that sued Mcdonald’s over being burned by coffee has nothing on the average cup of water in China!!! Did I mention they can drink it practically boiling hot! I’m not kidding.

By: coljac

coljac — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 12:27:26 +0000

Are the cravings for rice really “inexplicable”?

“It’s true I ate rice every day as my staple food for a few years, and then moved back here. But I don’t think that’s the reason.”

By: canrun

canrun — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:36:22 +0000

You still didn’t thank me for my 崔健 suggestions I don’t smoke, but I guess I’ll just have to numb my sorrow and disappointment in different ways…

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:14:06 +0000

On jaywalking: Similar thing happened to me when I went to Seoul last year, and probably will when I head there again (very soon). Friends literally had to grab me by the back of my shirt collar to keep me from darting into traffic.

One advantage, I think, will come of this: I will kick ass at dodge ball.