Culture Shock, Part 1

A good, healthy dose of culture shock is something that I feel is entirely too necessary;

it's kind of like when your heart starts to stop, and the nice people at Seattle Grace

use the defillibrators defribillators defibrillators to start it up again -

it's something that your system needs, even though it may seem quite different and

not so pleasant at the present moment.

{#1 - am I even using the correct medical term for the correct medical situation?

#2 - my doctor dad is shaking his head right now

#3 - and my Grey's-loving roommate is shaking her head at me as well,

sorry I can't deal with blood and guts, not even when it's ketchup or whatever they use on TV...}

I have a running inner commentary working in overtime,

about all of these novel things I'm experiencing.

Here are a few:

1. People, people everywhere || there is practically a mob everywhere you turn -
bus stations, restaurants, hospitals, sidewalks, bathrooms, seriously everywhere. These
pictures were taken after dinner at a supermarket - on a very normal day, in a single
supermarket that is close to about eight other supermarkets with just as many people. 
I think if Black Friday was a thing in China, they'd have to call in the national troops.

2. A blatant disregard for rules || the Chinese honestly just think that as individuals, 
they are the exception to every rule. Here, we drive in oncoming traffic lanes, 
we smoke where there are "No Smoking" signs, we bring outside food and drinks 
into the restaurant when the policy clearly states not to. 
But you know what, it's slightly admirable, isn't it? 
Don't let other people tell you what to do - yolo!

3. {A lack of} Dairy products || no (or at least, very expensive) cheese, butter, etc. 
Milk tastes very different - it's sweeter and creamier. 
Yoghurt is the drinkable variety. Ice cream - unless you get a cone at 
McDonald's - is usually in flavors such as red bean, lychee, or taro.

4. Public transportation || is simply magical here. You can't walk three steps 
without hitting a bus station or a subway station or taxi station, 
and they take you anywhere you want to go. And this stuff is so cheap, 
they're practically paying you to take you to places - public buses are 1.60 yuan 
(less than 30 cents), taxis usually don't go above 12 yuan (2 big buckaroos). 
The only con is that during rush hours, you are literally sardines in a can, 
or you cannot for the life of you flag down a taxi. Refer to #1.

5. Everyone is family || Anyone older than you is a "brother/sister, aunt/uncle,
grandma/grandpa" - relatives and strangers alike. Any baby or child is "baobao" 
or "precious jewel." It's cute, it's really cute.

My sweet baby second-cousin (who, yes, calls me "auntie") just asked - 
do people in America smile like we do here in China? 
Yes, baobao, that much we have in common.

Until next time!