I’m finally at this brilliant point where I’m starting to understand what people say to me. It’s a fabulous feeling, even if I can’t say much back at the moment besides a whole host of random words and phrases (such as “sir, can I have 10 dumplings?” which is very useful I’ll have you know).
It also helps with the paranoia that comes when you keep thinking that everyone is talking about you. Well. They aren’t always talking about you. Most of the time though. Like when they’re whispering and staring at you, they are talking about you. The good news is that it is often good things.
“Mommy, her hair!” said a little girl the other day. “Pretty.”
Teenage boys on the other hand make fun of me. But that’s cool. Teenage boys make fun of every single person in every country around the whole world. It’s a universal truth. Teenage boys = strange awkward mutants.
I got off the subway the other day in an area where I never see foreigners and I saw a blonde girl.
And she scared me.
So basically, I scare myself? I see my reflection in the mirror sometimes and I swear to god, I almost jump.
It has certainly chilled me out though. If I’m startled when I see blonde people, I figure it’s cool for everyone else to be as well.
Filed under: Beijing, China | Tagged: Beijing, blonde, China, comprehension, language learning, looking, mandarin, scared, staring, subway, understanding
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katie
loving your blog.
when i go to china people don’t really stare that much at me: so here’s a tip, dye your hair brown and become old, really old. problem solved
Nice try, young’un…
Really good to hear from you.
I am considering going brown. For the sake of humankind here.
Lol!! Silly girl. Be blond and be proud! Your hair is gorgeous.