Bright eyed, white faced, and tall, I stick out like a sore thumb. There aren't a lot of foreigners in town and people stare without shame. I once went to the supermarket with my Chinese teacher Robyn. As we were checking out, two older women behind us fell under the gawking spell. They asked Robyn about me and told her that they've never seen a foreigner in person. A lot of people here are in the same boat. And they stare. When I walk down the street, when I went to the doctor, when I get my hair cut, on the bus, everywhere. Admittedly, it can sometimes be a little much, but I am getting used to it. Especially when I remind myself that they are just surprised and curious.
In a city that is not internationally diverse it is easy to unintentionally become the center of attention. As a traveler I think it is important to remember that I am a guest in this city, that its culture is different than mine, and that my actions may in fact be the first impression people have of foreigners or of Americans in person. I can't help feeling that it is my responsibility to be respectful because of this.
I haven't written much about the other foreigners I have met here. There are 15 of us working at the same school and living in the same apartment building. While they are friendly, I haven't spent much time with most of them since the beginning of my trip. Everyone travels for different reasons and frankly speaking, they aren't my style. Sometimes I can't help but cringe a little when I witness or hear about their drunken escapades. Getting sloppy drunk/belligerent and destroying property (state property) in our apartment complex, fighting with taxi drivers, or breaking out the American National Anthem wherever they go makes me feel uncomfortable.
My friend here pointed out to me that while yes a foreign guest should be respectful, it is also the responsibility of everyone else to realize that the actions of one or a few people shouldn't shape their opinions about all foreigners or Americans. While this is true, I don't think it is so simple. Many of you might not know much about China. However, just like I did before I came here, you probably have different ideas about what it is like. You get these ideas indirectly, from the media, from different generalizations and stereotypes floating around, and from what other people tell you. Of course we all realize that my experience here can't serve as a generalization for all of China etc. But When I write about being here, I try to be careful, respectful, and fair as I know that I am a source that might shape your impression of life in China or confirm ideas you already have. How I behave here shouldn't serve as a generalization about foreigners or Americans, but when people have a direct experience with me or any foreigner, for better or worse it might confirm or shape ideas they already have.
In a city that is not internationally diverse it is easy to unintentionally become the center of attention. As a traveler I think it is important to remember that I am a guest in this city, that its culture is different than mine, and that my actions may in fact be the first impression people have of foreigners or of Americans in person. I can't help feeling that it is my responsibility to be respectful because of this.
I haven't written much about the other foreigners I have met here. There are 15 of us working at the same school and living in the same apartment building. While they are friendly, I haven't spent much time with most of them since the beginning of my trip. Everyone travels for different reasons and frankly speaking, they aren't my style. Sometimes I can't help but cringe a little when I witness or hear about their drunken escapades. Getting sloppy drunk/belligerent and destroying property (state property) in our apartment complex, fighting with taxi drivers, or breaking out the American National Anthem wherever they go makes me feel uncomfortable.
My friend here pointed out to me that while yes a foreign guest should be respectful, it is also the responsibility of everyone else to realize that the actions of one or a few people shouldn't shape their opinions about all foreigners or Americans. While this is true, I don't think it is so simple. Many of you might not know much about China. However, just like I did before I came here, you probably have different ideas about what it is like. You get these ideas indirectly, from the media, from different generalizations and stereotypes floating around, and from what other people tell you. Of course we all realize that my experience here can't serve as a generalization for all of China etc. But When I write about being here, I try to be careful, respectful, and fair as I know that I am a source that might shape your impression of life in China or confirm ideas you already have. How I behave here shouldn't serve as a generalization about foreigners or Americans, but when people have a direct experience with me or any foreigner, for better or worse it might confirm or shape ideas they already have.
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