You are so lucky, Alva! You're not screwed at all, it's the perfect opportunity to make moar friends! Grass is always greener on the other side of the white wooden face, like we say in Montana, 'Merica. You want to make less friend? Take the opportunity and go! If i were you, next time they offer you schrimps, i' would show them the "tap dance of the sea" show! The best that could happen to you is that they refer you to moar families, so you make even moar Chinese friend!

At first, when i saw your picture, i thought you were just another dreaded walking walrus, but i've realized you're a very lucky person (although you can be both!). I'm a bit jealous, I have to say, but I encourage you on your quest for moar moar friends!

It is a favorite way of establishing them as your benefactor and obligating you to them.

Never ever mix business with pleasure.

If you go to lunch with them, expect to eat all the weird stuff like chickin feet and fish head. They won't only serve them to you, they will EXPECT you to eat and enjoy them, because in China all the disgusting stuff is saved for the most honoured guest!

Try getting drunk before you go: it will make it easier to stomach plus they will just think you're another funny foreigner, like Bill Cosby [aka Dr Huxtable]. Or if you're white, Jim Carrey.

ps. I have never met a funny woman.

I wouldn't say your screwed. Business is business and there's only so much you can do to put him in the right path. Its up to you though to establish the right expectations and the lines you wont cross.

Like Martin said, never mix business with pleasure

Do them a favor if you could, make same calls and do information collecting is easy for you but really hard for them. They will help you and be your friends. If you could not, just say no in a good way.

I stayed with my student's family for a week during Spring Festival, great experience...His dad actually bought cheese, mayo and bread for my breakfast...First time I had those in China LOL

As honoured guest you get the weird food, chicken feet and fish head.??? WYF That has to be Chinese joke,,,,,, they laugh at you eating,,,,,,like the Newfys did to me,, make me eat giant cod tongue and laugh when I hurl !!! Cant wait til the Chinese try tat on me -can you say food fight !!!

I think they try to pry you Alva , was much wine ?? set you up for threesum.

@Poutine,, ,,,, Are there many walrus and whale in Montana Merica ? What is hunting like ?? I only hear you shoot beer cans !! can't eat beer cans ,, gotta eat blubber and beer

It's the world of guanxi - you dove straight into that one. Can't back away now, you savored that lobster flesh, now you have to help their kid.

The problem stems from Chinese people really being insistent - sometimes it just seems like they won't take no for an answer. It's part of their negotiating spirit. Have you seen old people almost bickering over seats in buses or subways? They're negotiating to let the OTHER sit.

You're just gonna have to toughen up, Alva, if you don't want to get stepped on