The Wonderful Experience of Cultural Shocks

I was born and raised in a Kunming, Yunnan province in southwest China. It’s nicknamed “City of Spring” for its spring like weather all year round.  “Not too cold or too hot”, as everyone likes to say it.

Memories of my hometown are snapshots of flush green mountains dotted with wild berry bushes, flowers blooming all year round, clear blue skies draped with clouds of white cotton candy. My afternoons were spent in lazy pleasant breezes chasing butterflies and collecting caterpillars of different colors, textures and shapes.  Life was full of surprises and fun. Sure, there were times things got very harsh and I had my share of pains in life. Poetry writing and horseback riding were passions of my youthful days and writing seemed to be my ultimate destiny.  At the age of 24, with a sudden turn of fate, I ventured out into the United States as a foreign student and started my life’s new journey. Armed with a BA in English Language and Literature, I was ready to conquer the world.

Arriving at Dallas/Ft.Worth Intl. Airport, I was picked up by a member of the foreign student council from Baylor University. He was an elderly southern gentleman, very nice and kind. We stared at each other and laughed for half an hour before heading out to the car. It was funny for him to listen to a black eyed, flat faced Chinese girl speaking like a Brit. I thought he had been adopted by an alien and plainly didn’t learn how to speak English.

Dr. Vardman and his lovely wife Betsy showed their hospitality by inviting me to the one and only Chinese restaurant in Waco, TX. I flipped the menu five times and determined that they had taken me to the wrong place by mistake. There was nothing Chinese about the place other than the soy sauce on the table, and the face of the waiter who didn’t speak much of English nor Chinese. I hardly finished my Broccoli Beef. They asked the waiter for a doggy bag to put all the leftover in and asked me if I would like to take it home. I politely thanked them for the offer and informed them that I didn’t have a dog.

My friend and I went out to dinner one night. I ordered Scotch. “You all like it on the rock, ma’am?” ??? “No, Sir. In a glass is just splendid. Thank you very much. By the way, my friend doesn’t want scotch; a cup of hot tea will be fine with her.” “In what Ma’am, excuse me?” “In a glarss, Sir.” “Oh, in a glairss. Of course, Ma’am. You all like it on the rock, in a glairss, Ma’am?” “ I’d like my scotch poured into a glarss, not on the rock. I don’t care much for rocks, I am afraid.”  “Freightov what? gitten drunk? No Ma’am, You all get drunk drinking it straight you being young and all. Badher on the rocks.” I was getting more confused and frustrated by then, “Alright, sir. Bring it on the rock, then. Thank you.”  We got one scotch in a glass with ice cubes, just the way I wanted it. The waiter made a comment about my sense of humor. I couldn’t quite comprehend what was so funny about all that till I talked with Besty the next day.  We were both in tears by the time I finished my story. Two young men were seated at the next table. Halfway through dinner, they came over and we got into a conversation. The younger of the two said to me, “I want to tellya, my friend is very fresh.” “That’s all right. I am fresh, too. I just got here a few days ago. You will manage. People here are very friendly.” There was a burst of laughter followed by a brief lesson on the vou-cabulary.

Eight months later, I finally got some money saved and was ready to purchase my first automobile. After researching through all the paper ads, I decided on a whopping deal. Of a brand new white Hyundai with burgundy interior for only 99! I would wipe out my savings in my Bank of America account and have Ramen for couple of months if I had to. By the time I drove off, the price tag was 99, and I had my first debt in my life.  I still wonder to this day if that was a deal or no deal. I just got licensed four days before, and had never driven a car prior to that. I was extremely excited about my new car, and nervous driving back to my apartment on the freeway. A truck pulled up side by side and the driver waved the finger at me. Texans were known to be very friendly. This one seemed extraordinary. In return for the courtesy, I smiled and waved the finger back. In China, we greeted people by waving the whole hand, not just one finger. Alright, “Do in Rome as the Romans do”. The driver suddenly made an angry face and pointed a hand gun at me. Scared out of my wits, I slowed down. Before I could make sense of what had just happened, another truck zoomed by and the driver pointed a gun at the “friendly” driver. And shoulder by shoulder, they raced into the distance. Solute to the chivalrous cowboy who came to my rescue!

I got a dinner and movie invitation from a guy in one of my classes. We had a nice dinner at a steak house and went to see Tender Mercy. I enjoyed both. He dropped me off and asked if he could come in and chat a little. I thanked him and told him it’s too late. Maybe we could chat tomorrow during lunch time. I offered to pay for lunch. He never called again and avoided me in class. I thought seriously he had bipolar or mental illness of some kind for a while.  I consulted with Betsy , she told me to clearly tell guys that I needed to go home right away after dinner for homework if I ever received dinner invitations again. I did exactly that and strangely, most of them would have to cancel dinner appointments because something just came up.

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