Ways I've Learned To Be Happy In China
This list might also be applicable to others, but I can only speak for myself.
1. Never be in a hurry.
2. Understand that public services want to maximize the number of available jobs, not efficiency.
3. Hate ice water.
4. Accept parasites and bad bacteria as a consequence of eating.
5. Learn to say "ah ah ah ah" in rapidfire after someone says something to you; it's an acceptable response to almost anything, and saves you when you don't know what else to say. (It's also a more fun way to say goodbye on the phone, but then it's "ah ah ah ah ah bye ah ah ah bye bye bye ah ah bye." No, I am not exaggerating.)
6. Forget the concept 'personal space.'
7. Push back.
8. The phrase "I have something to do" is an all-purpose 'get out of anything free' card. Use it without guilt.
9. Only expect to do one extra thing per day because that one thing will take at least 4 times as long as it takes in your home country, and you'll be too exhausted to do anything else until tomorrow.
10. Understand you will always, in every circumstance, always be an 'other' to the Chinese.
11. Don't expect anyone to multi-task on your behalf. Don't expect them to understand when you want to multi-task. It doesn't exist here. Real Simple, indeed.
A word about that last one: I was reading a friend's Oprah magazine (which I don't really like, I decided, but we'll read anything here if it's in English) and there was an article about reducing the daily stress of trying to do too much, and it struck me how much that is not my life right now. I remember feeling that way, but it has become an alien thing to me, this need to accomplish so many things in one day. No one here expects that kind of thing. It's a really nice reminder that I don't need to be Superwoman to be happy, or to make others happy.
1. Never be in a hurry.
2. Understand that public services want to maximize the number of available jobs, not efficiency.
3. Hate ice water.
4. Accept parasites and bad bacteria as a consequence of eating.
5. Learn to say "ah ah ah ah" in rapidfire after someone says something to you; it's an acceptable response to almost anything, and saves you when you don't know what else to say. (It's also a more fun way to say goodbye on the phone, but then it's "ah ah ah ah ah bye ah ah ah bye bye bye ah ah bye." No, I am not exaggerating.)
6. Forget the concept 'personal space.'
7. Push back.
9. Only expect to do one extra thing per day because that one thing will take at least 4 times as long as it takes in your home country, and you'll be too exhausted to do anything else until tomorrow.
10. Understand you will always, in every circumstance, always be an 'other' to the Chinese.
11. Don't expect anyone to multi-task on your behalf. Don't expect them to understand when you want to multi-task. It doesn't exist here. Real Simple, indeed.
A word about that last one: I was reading a friend's Oprah magazine (which I don't really like, I decided, but we'll read anything here if it's in English) and there was an article about reducing the daily stress of trying to do too much, and it struck me how much that is not my life right now. I remember feeling that way, but it has become an alien thing to me, this need to accomplish so many things in one day. No one here expects that kind of thing. It's a really nice reminder that I don't need to be Superwoman to be happy, or to make others happy.
Comments
I think your #5 is hilarious. I'm going to try that one here and see how it flies! lol
Hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays!!
Not liking so much: 3,4,6 & 9.
I would not be as pleasant about some of that stuff as you are.
Suz
I wish people accepted the "I've got plans excuse." But whenever I tell people here that I get questioned to death.
Adapt or die, somebody coined that phrase and it's brilliant.
You're blooming, girl! :)
ps: i love your positive, energy-rich lists!