Festival de año nuevo in Guangzhou…
I have belonged to a Guangzhou expat group on Facebook for some time. It has kept me abreast of new happenings, restaurants and cultural events. though I rarely attend activities: they usually are hosted in clubs where talk is difficult and drinking, with intermittent dancing, is the activity of choice. Too, we dinosaurs from the days of bell-bottoms and idealism have generally been been replaced by the fashionably ambitious and youth-centric; so, it is tough on we professors who age externally, but remain youthful by association. I often find I don’t have lot in common socially with my contemporaries who are not,as I am, witness to ongoing cultural changes and they are more concerned about the price of their medication than the newest application on Twitter. And while I am grousing: I find that too many of the newer arrivals, old and young, are often disgruntled and have half of their clothes packed or half unpacked with plans for a midnight run should the culture get anymore overwhelming. And it is hard to find a good cheeses to go with their familiar whines…
Last evening I headed for a Mexican Fiesta (a $7.00 USD all-you-can-eat Buffet and no party favors) to meet some 30-odd people whose primary connection c was a chance meet-up created on Facebook by a GZ resident. What a testament to social networking, aye?
To my surprise there was not teacher (Isn’t every laowai in China an English teacher?) in the bunch and virtually everyone worked for a foreign company– most for emerging or established IT firms. I met the 30 year old CEO and founder of a German software development firm (who knew this blog–so, he has to be a good guy, right?), a marketer for a Japanese interactive ad agency, another marketing professional from an on-line game company, sourcing agents, a chocalateer and an on-line travel agent among others. What a geekish joy it was to actually talk in English to people loving their jobs, this city and who were bullish about Guangzhou being “the place to be for IT” in the future. I have been shouting that for two years and the voice back this time was not an echo…
One surprise: a Chinese student, of two years ago was in attendance. She quickly had the group eyeing me with suspicion as she told them how strict I had been as a teacher, that is until she revealed that her fear stemmed from my insistence she arrive on time for lessons and turn off her cell phone during class. I went from Lector to lamb in the squint of an eye and then told her, in gentle professorial tones that it was good to see her face for a change not distorted by the glow of an incoming text message.
I went home, watched Hillary Clinton on Letterman, and mused on how America and Guangzhou may be in for great change.
Feliz Año Nuevo!
Posted 6 February, 2008 in Guangzhou, Chinese Internet, The Internet, Chinese New Year, Chinese Media, 中文, Faceboook, Education in China, China Expat, American Professor in China, Chinese Festivals, Guangzhou China, Intercultural Issues, China Expats, Asia, Asian Humor, Teaching in China, China Business, 中国, Personal Notes, Confucius Slept Here, China Humor
3 comments to “Festival de año nuevo in Guangzhou…”
Pamela, February 6th, 2008 at 10:37 am:
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You have so perfectly described something I think can be found the world over. With only odd exception, I prefer not to mix with other British expats here, for a variety of very similar sounding reasons (not to mention that I come from “the days of bell-bottoms and idealism” too!
On the other hand, I had a marvelous experience meeting and spending a day with a couple of young local people who had organized a meetup, via Flickr.
The Professor, February 6th, 2008 at 2:37 pm:
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Social Networking is the greatest thing since the CB radio, isn’t it?
Hey all, From Pamela’s blog:
“Former accountant, recovering journalist and incurable, serial cat collector, Pamela Heywood is British by birth and, for her sins, has lived on the Spanish island of Tenerife since 1992. She is fluent in three languages; English, Spanish and Rubbish. To contact Pamela, please visit the following page…http://pamelaheywood.com/ ”Don’t let the British part scare ya off…She is worth a read!
Keledoll Leung, February 28th, 2008 at 2:52 am:
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What a surprise for me to find your blog !
In your articles, I grasp the point of view of an American towards Chinese culture and Chinese people.
Let me introduce myself, I am keledoll, an undergraduate student in Guangzhou.In fact, my major is cross-culture psychology, so when I see your blog I am really exalted. I am undergoing a research project about the foreigner living in China and I really need your help.If you are convenient please contact me by email:keledoll9394@yahoo.com.cn
I would illuminate my project in details by email!