橙子 (chengzi): Otherwise Known as Orange Juice

We were eating breakfast at the NCUT canteen. We had obtained our vegetable filled buns at the hot food counter and were looking around for something to drink. It was a hot day. The drink locker was open, but the attendant was gone. Fine, I thought. We can pay him when he comes back. I took out two juices. A canteen worker appeared, looking decidedly unfriendly. I did not understand her words, but it was clear she thought I was stealing juice. I held out my wallet. But no, because the juice attendant was not around, it appeared we could not have juice, though it was clearly available.

Now, I accept cultural differences. But this seemed like nonsense, not culture. The juice was there, the locker was open, we had money, and the day was hot. I said so--in English of course, the language I speak best. Naturally, the attendant did not understand me. A university student came along, explaining mildly this was how things were done. "When in Rome, you should do as the Romans do." True enough. But might we buy something to drink? She suggested a supermarket not far away. She was walking that way. Fair enough. I went with her, leaving Joe at the canteen. When we arrived, it was closed. The girl said "sorry" and disappeared.

So I went back to the canteen and sought out the attendant. I took some money from my wallet, and gesticulated toward the juice case. I presume I was difficult to ignore, for my voice was well above Chinese conversational tone. Some English speaking students came along. I explained I had not been allowed to buy orange juice, though it was clearly available, that I'd been taken to the supermarket by a student, and it was closed. "Wait here!" said one.

In China, rules are fluid, and everything is subject to negotiation. This kid went to the HOT FOOD counter, and said something there. Then, she asked me to present the orange juice at the HOT FOOD counter, and that was where I paid. The incident incurred a lot of unnecessary commotion, but everyone was satisfied, except perhaps for the first attendant, who had said we could not buy juice.

Back home, it would have been different; we would have simply walked out of the place. Joe would have been embarrassed if I had made a fuss. But there was nowhere else around to get breakfast, and this is China. Sometimes, it makes sense not to accept the first answer.

No ordinary fire drill

I have learned that the "fire drill" we witnessed July 10 was no simple exersise in fire fighting. It was an anti-terrorism drill.

The government here is determined to be ready in case of security problems during the Olympics whether these emerge from foreign terrorism or domestic disaffection. The latter is of particular concern, for dissenters may view the Olympics as an opportunity to dramatize their concerns while the whole world watches.

A Matter of Interest

When I visited Rocky Mountain National Park at age 12, I was chiefly interested in feeding the chipmunks. This irritated my father, who wished me to derive greater educational benefit from the excursion. The two children I photographed at the Temple of Heaven were more interested in hiding under the kiosks than viewing the monument.

The Temple of Heaven was where ancient emperors went to pray for good harvests and offer sacrifices.

Other Duties As Assigned

In every job I've held, there have been what the contract calls "other duties as assigned"-- extra tasks which, while not part of the regular job, are from time to time required. When these become too onerous, employees call for more staff. American workers cannot be pushed beyond what they see as the limits of fairness, and our employers know this.

This is not true in every society. At the University of Shandong at Weihai, an experimental summer session was recently instituted. Faculty were required to teach in a full-time program lasting a month with no additional pay. No formal protest occurred, for this is not permitted. Universitie are agencies of government, and the professors' acquiescence, along with the attendance of students, were simply demanded. Morale is low for both teachers and students, but life goes on.

It is difficult for an Americans to understand how this situation is possible. The explanation lies in both politics and culture. Despite its economic growth, China is still an authoritarian society where one party rules. In addition, Confucian ideas stressing obedience to authority have influenced this culture for 2500 years.

Above: View of Shandong University at Weihai

Reunion Banquet

Last evening, there was a reunion banquet for Joe, me, and the teachers who participated in last year's NCUT project at ETSU. Wonderful to see everyone.

There were plans to repeat the project this year with another group of teachers. But the government has asked that any "nonessential" travel by university faculty be tabled for now so that resources can be directed to earthquake relief, which will take billions.

Lift Every Voice and Sing















Though I understood just a few of the words, I knew it was patriotic music. There were lots of horns and rousing choruses, and those assembled sang with gusto. Some of the tunes came from the early Communist era, and most of those singing were old. Our guide told us that many retirees come here to sing every day.

Graven images
When I get to the top of a pagoda, I want to pray. These structures are designed to make you feel this way. But for me, this is not entirely comfortable, as many pagodas have shrines to the Buddha at the top. It's not the different religion I object to-- it's the presence of what I've been taught to view as "graven images." I am Jewish by birth and background, and in Judaism, the taboo on statues in a house of worship is strong. As I meditated, I stood at some distance from the statues and looked at the view.


















Shrine to the Buddha














Wall of 10,000 Buddhas. I don't know if the number "10,000" is meant to be taken literally, but there were a lot of them.