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Q: Do your people back home "get it"?
We have lot of issues in living here, and obviously the culture is quite different too.
I sometimes find it frustrating that the people back home just don't get how it is sometimes, and can be a little close-minded i that respect... sort of like our "but in MY country..." that we often think.
One of the most extreme examples I've currently got is that my university is implying ethics conditions that might be fine for back home, - but just don't work for here. The main sticking point is - "distressing issues". If one of my research subjects finds my research 'upsetting', then I ought to provide a contact place / number for a 'local community health centre'.
TIC!!!!!
That's a seriously bad idea! (even if I could find such a place!)
And, thus, my research has stopped... because they want to impose Australian standards on a non-Australian culture.
I doubt you've had exactly the same issues - but have you had times when the people back home are getting exasperated because they don't get the reality of here....
You have been in China long enough to know the answer is
BUT THIS IS CHINA
.& CHINESE BRAIN IS DIFFERENT TO FOREIGN BRAIN
just drink more and it will fall into place
that is just plain wrong on a number of levels Mr Hotwater.You have been in China long enough to know the answer is
BUT THIS IS CHINA
.& CHINESE BRAIN IS DIFFERENT TO FOREIGN BRAIN
just drink more and it will fall into place
When I'm arranging imports this comes up. There's a special certificate for electronics that is technically required, but there's (obviously, TIC) a way around that for more money. Suppliers freak out if they don't have the paperwork, which can take months to obtain. People from other countries don't get that rules here are just guidelines, or more accurately price points. They think we're smugglers or something.
I'm not even talking about bribing anyone at the border, it's simply a matter of going through a local guy with some guanxi/street smarts as opposed to a big name like Fedex.
I doubt that they would 'get it', but then again I've never even really tried to explain/describe E/SE Asia to my WASPish, well-traveled (western world), Eurocentric family.
It's like trying to tell a Luke here about life in South Texas. It doesn't compute and they just ain't into it.
All I ever told my close family members/close acquaintances is that the reason that I have never invited them over for a visit is just that China, especially where & how I live is just not really for tourists. That has always ended the discussion before it starts.
