And You Thought Glamour Shots Were Over
By The Time We Got There, It Was Dinner At Tiffany’s*.
There is a phenomenon of giving directions in China that I still don’t understand: people will only give you directions to the next block. For example, “Go straight ‘til the next intersection, then turn left.” Now, you as a Westerner might think that means that after you turn left, you’ll be there. Oh no, my friend. This is just the beginning. If you don’t see what you’re looking for after you turn left, you ask someone else, and get the next set of directions. You will keep doing this, block after block, until you arrive at your destination. This happened to V. and I when we were in Chengdu for training. I needed to get to Tiffany & Co.* to get some jewelry cleaned, and he came with me. I didn’t know where Tiffany was exactly, but I figured it was downtown near the other big shops. Turns out it was in a new shopping plaza built a little zig-zaggy ways away from where we were. It took four sets of directions to get us there. Yup, that’s about right. Also, be aware: you will alw...
Comments
Leigh, it is so interesting the differences between students in Asia and the Western World. It would be fun to talk about with you. The most interesting thing to me was, they were still talking about the items, and thought they were really neat, but not buying them! Talking about them was enough. (And it was okay for class purposes.) I was just so surprised people don't want to buy everything in sight, just because they can. :)