I had a nice chat with James, my co-worker. He is 24 years old. I asked him if minorities in China are treated differently or worse from the majority.
A Little Background
China has been invaded by different people throughout their history, therefore is composed of many ethnic groups. China has 56 recognized (key word recognized) ethnic groups, the biggest one is the Han which is about 91% of the population.
Back to James:
Me: So are the minority ethnic groups treated worse than the majority?
James: No, of course not. All Chinese people are treated the same. They are treated even better. They can have two children and we can only have one.
Me: If you were to marry someone then, would it matter to you if she was a minority?
James: No, she needs to be Chinese though, I would not marry someone that is a different race...
Me: You mean you would not marry a foreigner.
James: Yes
Me: Would you marry someone that is not a Han?
James: No, she would have to be a Han. I want to keep my blood pure.
Me: But you just said that she just needs to be Chinese.
James: But the minorities are not Chinese....(pause)...they look like Chinese, they live like Chinese, but there was a time when they came here from a different place. The girl would have to be a Han, just like me.
The Minorities
While many people that I asked, all from the majority, have said that all people in China are treated the same, it is not the case. You usually find the minorities working the worse jobs. They are the ones that live in non-industrialized areas and that not necessarily get educated. While this separation is not usually admitted, it can be seen through people taking great pride in telling me they are a Han when I ask. It is ok to talk to the minorities or even be friends with them, but it is not ok to marry them. Of course I am sure not everyone has such a viewpoint, but still such ethnic boundaries do exist.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Temple of Heaven
Click on me for more picturesAll of this is found basically in the middle of Beijing city which is amazing, because such old structures are preserved amongst skyscrapers. The whole park is surrounded by a very old big wall.
Emperors would visit this place to pray for good harvest.
This is where heaven is when you go to the top of that circular structure. In the middle, there is a spot where you stand and your voice resonates louder than normally. It works, I tried it! That is where Emperors would pray to the Gods.
The Place
Click the picture for more photos!Iris took us to this place. It is officially called The Place. There is a huge screen where beautiful scenes of nature are displayed. It is absolutely gorgeous. You can also text a number and for 1 yuan, your message will be displayed on the screen. We spent a long time there just sitting and looking at the changing screen. This really does not compare with anything that I have seen before.
Beijing is very traditional in many ways. You can see architecture that is hundreds years old, but you can also see greatly advanced technology.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sayings in China
Phrases
Here are some definitions of words and phrases used by people in China in English that are commonly used and thought to be legitimate expressions in the English-speaking world.
No Thanks
Used when someone says thank you!
It Does Not Matter
Used when you say thank you for helping me for example. Equivalent of 'no problem' except such a phrase is not used.
Etiquette When Someone Sneezes
Say nothing, no one says bless you here or acknowledges the sneeze.
Saying I'm Sorry
When I asked someone how to say I'm sorry in Chinese, they said that you only use it when you have done something very bad. So what do you do if you do something minor, like step on someone? I'm still trying to figure that one out. People here though do not apologize as often as in America and do not say thank you often. Also, being cut in line is very common. Pushing and elbowing is completely allowed, especially on buses and subways.
Here are some definitions of words and phrases used by people in China in English that are commonly used and thought to be legitimate expressions in the English-speaking world.
No Thanks
Used when someone says thank you!
It Does Not Matter
Used when you say thank you for helping me for example. Equivalent of 'no problem' except such a phrase is not used.
Etiquette When Someone Sneezes
Say nothing, no one says bless you here or acknowledges the sneeze.
Saying I'm Sorry
When I asked someone how to say I'm sorry in Chinese, they said that you only use it when you have done something very bad. So what do you do if you do something minor, like step on someone? I'm still trying to figure that one out. People here though do not apologize as often as in America and do not say thank you often. Also, being cut in line is very common. Pushing and elbowing is completely allowed, especially on buses and subways.
Wedding Crashers China Style
Me and Grace, my co-worker were in the school and I heard firecrackers outside. I asked her why are they doing this in the morning. She said it must be a wedding so I convinced her to go see if I can get to see the bride and the groom. We find the place by tracking down the sound but the couple already went inside.
Grace is ready to leave but I want her to ask the personnel if we can go into this fancy restaurant to see the couple. She hesitates like any normal person would and does not ask.While I am lingering, a man approaches us and wants to talk to me in Chinese. Grace translates. He asks where I am from, tells me I'm beautiful, wants to take a picture with me.
After, he invites us inside, we go in as I wanted to see the couple and leave. Well leaving was not that easy. He insists we sit down. So I'm sitting in shorts and a shirt with a panda on it in a super fancy restaurant amongst a table filled with businessmen talking to this man with Grace's help.
Through our conversation, we find out he is very rich and his family is very influential in Beijing. He shows us pictures of him with all these politically powerful men in China, including a picture of his family with Chairman Hu which is the current ruler of China.
He invites me to dinner saying he wants to show me traditional Chinese food. We finally manage to leave and get back to work.
I just wish I could somehow get those pictures from the wedding that the man took. The couple was very cute and young.
Grace is ready to leave but I want her to ask the personnel if we can go into this fancy restaurant to see the couple. She hesitates like any normal person would and does not ask.While I am lingering, a man approaches us and wants to talk to me in Chinese. Grace translates. He asks where I am from, tells me I'm beautiful, wants to take a picture with me.
After, he invites us inside, we go in as I wanted to see the couple and leave. Well leaving was not that easy. He insists we sit down. So I'm sitting in shorts and a shirt with a panda on it in a super fancy restaurant amongst a table filled with businessmen talking to this man with Grace's help.
Through our conversation, we find out he is very rich and his family is very influential in Beijing. He shows us pictures of him with all these politically powerful men in China, including a picture of his family with Chairman Hu which is the current ruler of China.
He invites me to dinner saying he wants to show me traditional Chinese food. We finally manage to leave and get back to work.
I just wish I could somehow get those pictures from the wedding that the man took. The couple was very cute and young.
11 Year Old Billiards Protégé
Scott and I play billiards sometimes at night, simply because there is nothing else to do by where he lives. We are great freinds with the owners. Way of communication is body language, they speak no English, we cannot speak Chinese.
Last time I was there, they invited us over for beer. After, a boy a little taller than the billiards table invited us to play against him. We lost all 6 games we played against him. Yes, we both suck at billiards, but this boy is amazing at the game. He has a professional glove and everything! He also offered us his mother's cigarettes, and proceeded to light Scott's. Definitely something I do not see on a daily basis. We said our goodbyes around eleven when it was the boy's bedtime and he had to go home.
Last time I was there, they invited us over for beer. After, a boy a little taller than the billiards table invited us to play against him. We lost all 6 games we played against him. Yes, we both suck at billiards, but this boy is amazing at the game. He has a professional glove and everything! He also offered us his mother's cigarettes, and proceeded to light Scott's. Definitely something I do not see on a daily basis. We said our goodbyes around eleven when it was the boy's bedtime and he had to go home.
Personal Hygiene
Armpit Hair
It is not hard to notice a bush of hair sneaking out from under a short sleeve shirt or a very nice dress. I still cannot get used to it. Most people at least I come in contact with, do not shave, I am talking about women of course.
When I decided to shave my legs in the bathroom, there ended up being 4 girls watching wondering what I am doing and why. I have never had such an audience examining my shaved legs.
Using Deodorant
Yea, I do not think many people use deodorant, but they also do not sweat as much either. At first I thought that even their sweat did not smell, but I was proven wrong during a picnic and this sitting next to me was smelling a lot :)
Taking a Shower
Granted, shower here is different. My bathroom comes equipped with a sink, some holes meant to be used as toilets, and a shower-head right by the sink, there is really no shower designated space. Still, there is hot water, it's just awkward standing naked in the middle of the bathroom.
Sophie, a girl that lives with me showers, I think, but not very often, I rarely see her in the bathroom for this purpose. I cannot estimate how many times a week she showers, but it is less than ever other day.
Clothes
The female teachers here have a few outfits, like a shirt and pants, nothing fancy. They wear the same outfit may days in a row. The girls wear the same clothes sometimes a week in a row. They alternate between 2 or 3 outfits. The male teacher has been here for a two weeks now, and I have only seen him wearing one shirt for this whole time. Alice, my co-worker pointed out that I like to make myself look different everyday, meaning I wear something different each day which is not common at least where I am.
It is not hard to notice a bush of hair sneaking out from under a short sleeve shirt or a very nice dress. I still cannot get used to it. Most people at least I come in contact with, do not shave, I am talking about women of course.
When I decided to shave my legs in the bathroom, there ended up being 4 girls watching wondering what I am doing and why. I have never had such an audience examining my shaved legs.
Using Deodorant
Yea, I do not think many people use deodorant, but they also do not sweat as much either. At first I thought that even their sweat did not smell, but I was proven wrong during a picnic and this sitting next to me was smelling a lot :)
Taking a Shower
Granted, shower here is different. My bathroom comes equipped with a sink, some holes meant to be used as toilets, and a shower-head right by the sink, there is really no shower designated space. Still, there is hot water, it's just awkward standing naked in the middle of the bathroom.
Sophie, a girl that lives with me showers, I think, but not very often, I rarely see her in the bathroom for this purpose. I cannot estimate how many times a week she showers, but it is less than ever other day.
Clothes
The female teachers here have a few outfits, like a shirt and pants, nothing fancy. They wear the same outfit may days in a row. The girls wear the same clothes sometimes a week in a row. They alternate between 2 or 3 outfits. The male teacher has been here for a two weeks now, and I have only seen him wearing one shirt for this whole time. Alice, my co-worker pointed out that I like to make myself look different everyday, meaning I wear something different each day which is not common at least where I am.
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