Friday, May 15, 2009

Communist Party Member Infiltration

Yesterday, my English class was infiltrated by a member of the Communist Party Propaganda Committee. I don't know how he got in there. Here's what happened.

I was teaching an intermediate English class and the topic was "customs". We started by talking about customs of different cultures ("In Spain, people eat dinner late", "In Korea, diners slurp their noodles", etc.). And so for the speaking activity, I asked my students to pretend that they were giving a presentation to foreigners visiting China. What advice would they give foreigners to make their stay go more smoothly? What customs are specific to China that would be important for foreigners to learn about?

My students began their presentations. Bring a gift if you are invited to dinner. Give a red envelope if you are invited to a wedding. If you are a man and go on a date with a girl, pay for dinner. All very helpful.

And then suddenly, one student started telling us about another "custom" in China. He says: "In China, do not cut in line. You must wait in line."

This is a traditional custom in China? This is something that is different from Western culture that foreign visitors must learn about?

I almost fell to the ground laughing. I think after falling to the ground laughing, I would have begun crying from laughing too much. But I restrained myself.

I thought about all the times Chinese people have cut in front of me here. In stores, waiting in line for the subway, buying tickets. I have become used to it, and I don't even get upset about it anymore. It is just part of life here in China. Once, when I politely asked the guy in line behind me why a woman just cut in line he said: "When you live in China for more time, you will understand."

And so, how do I respond to the Communist Party member who has infiltrated my class? I tell him that "waiting in line" is not a traditional custom in China. I tell him that it is quite common for people to cut in line here. Despite the government's trying to educate people to "civilize" (wenming) themselves, people still spit and people still butt in line. Yes, this is government propaganda, but not a "traditional Chinese custom".

And so, as the teacher, I correct him. I tell him, "If you are giving advice to foreigners, here is what you can say: 'In China, when you wait in line, sometimes people will try to cut in, but don't get upset--just politely tell them to wait in line.'"

The Communist Party member operative who had snuck into my class was finished. It was time to hear the next presentation and learn about some more beautiful, strange Chinese customs.