WorldTeach China Summer: Quotes

Random Bus Conversation

- Charley Burkly

After an early day on the Yangtze, I was ready to get on the bus to Wuhan and take a nice four-hour nap. I sat down, took out my iPod, and glanced at the little box of crackers that was given to every passenger. I looked around, uncertain as to whether I should open it and eat one, or discreetly put it in my bag. My question was answered, however, when the man next to me handed me his box and said in Chinese “Here, I have eaten many of these!”

This sentence was the first in a four-hour conversation—in Chinese. It started off with the usual: I explained that I am from the United States and would be teaching in Wulingyuan and Zhuzhou; I have studied Chinese for three years; this is my second trip to China; I am twenty-one years old. It turned out that my new friend was twenty-six years old, graduated from college in Wuhan, and worked for a company that analyzes “blood gas.” I looked at his business card, and he proceeded to tell me about his name and family. He then sheepishly revealed that he was the second child, and that his family had to pay 300 yuan as punishment in 1980.

As the bus ride continued, we discussed sports, movies, and music. He was fascinated with my iPod (and very fond of James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful”) and shocked to discover how much it costs to buy one. We then compared American and Chinese credit cards and money, as well as annual salaries, house prices, and car prices. After taking out some quarters, he asked how much each was worth. In the end, we exchanged six quarters for 10 yuan.

If I were at home in America, the previous discussion about salary and prices would have been exceedingly uncomfortable. However, when I am in China, it is an appropriate and interesting conversation.

When in the United States, I will ask a Chinese friend how much her eye-catching purple pants cost, and will not hesitate to give cashiers at the Roxbury, New Jersey Chinese supermarket my home phone number. I also find myself going to the store and saying, “Hey, I’m hungry; how about an ice cream?” (or soda, or cookies, or coffee). The only thing I don’t realize is that I am no longer in China and that things really are a little bit different.