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Q: Has living in China hardend you?
It is nearly Christmas time again and all the charities are out collecting along side the stall holders in the
big shopping centers
I am sick of being accosted by the venders so I just ignore anybody who try's to stop me
That was until one guy could not take the hint .
I just told him that we are getting used to this treatment and now we ignore it.
even if it is for a good course.
with that he walked away quietly knowing it was true
is this a result of living in China?
is anybody else doing this kind of thing?
Happened to me during my last visit to the US. Went to the grocery store to pick up a few things for the 'rents. I needed to pass through a certain area that was blocked on one side by a couple rather obese individuals debating which cut of beef or pork or something they were going to buy. On the other side was some old dude in one of those motorized carts they provide for disabled (or sometimes just lazy...) people.
I didn't even hesitate, I just shot through the gap. The old dude made a point to say "excuse me"....I just said "no problem" and continued on my way at 100mph.
Before living in China, I probably would have waited for old dude to pass through the gap....but now....
No, living in Iraq and Afghanistan hardened me. China is wonderland by comparison.
Yes, I kind of answered that in the other question you posted about skills without realising you also posted this question. For sure, I'm tougher than ever!
Funny you should mention this as I was thinking along these lines the other week.
The one thing that has always gripped my shit in China was the driving, so many idiots in such a small space and so many of them apparently intent on maiming me, themselves or often both, that I was a swearing, homicidal maniac the entire time I was either riding my e-bike or driving the car.
Then we had the 'golden week' holiday, during which I was working, but the traffic was virtually nil, it was REALLY good. At the end of the holiday everything was back to it's usual chaotic, self-destructive norm, and I realised as I was swerving through the traffic as crazy as the next guy that I had a HUGE smile on my face! I was enjoying it and I had missed the craziness!
Now, I drive without cussing, and don't even usually get angry. I don't know if that is hardened or if I've just gone insane but, it does reduce my stress level.
If I go back to my country and something is mei ban fa there, I am still persistant that it can be done, even though it probably is the honest truth.
Just all the experiences from me here leave me with this doubt.
Yes, indeed, it has. I am very parsimonious with trust these days, as well as with money.
I want to trust people, I really do.....however my wife and her mom tell me I would be an idiot to do so.
There's that!
Yup for sure. I used to give homeless people change sometimes and give to charities before coming to China.
Now I think...crap...if I don't give 10 kuai to the beggar in China with one leg why the hell should I give $2 to the drunk outside the liquor store at home that is probably just supplementing his welfare check?
And most of all I used to trust people (as derek said). Now I trust no one (at home or in China)...except my family.
