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Sunday – October 31, 2004
Last week I mentioned one of the reasons I wrote this journal because it helped me cope with the situation. For that reason I have started another journal. I had to start it after the third straight week of defeat for the Purdue Football team. Enough said. If you want to know more than you can subscribe to my Athletic Journal that I sub-titled “I Root for Losers”. It is only $9.95 per month. Be prepared to pay for many months. Football still has November then we start with Basketball. Purdue basketball is also in for a long season. Of course that overlaps the NFL playoffs. I am sure my Indianapolis Colts will find a way to choke on the hype. Since we are talking about choking – how about my Cubbies! I loved growing up in Northern Indiana during the 70’s and 80’s but unfortunately I was exposed to programs that lack winning; the Boilermakers, the Cubs, the Bears, the Colts. I am going to have the Chinese symbol for “loser” tattooed on my forehead.
I also mentioned last week that I had returned home for one week. Although it was only 7 days I started to feel like it was an eternity. Why? Well for three days I thought China China
Well, its time for the BIG NEWS of the week. Sunday has been pretty nice here. It is rare that I ever see sunshine. Today wasn’t sunny but it was still was worth the while to spend it outdoors. That reminds me. The time is changing in Ohio China US China Shanghai Delphi threats.
Since I didn’t have the bike to ride I decided to walk to my favorite restaurant for a burger. It was really nice. The bar balcony overlooked the soccer field and the cricket field. I spent 3 hours watching two sports that I have never watched live before. It was very interesting. I didn’t plan on staying 3 hours but I had a communication issue. When I arrived it was still brunch. I didn’t really plan on breakfast but I went ahead and ordered a breakfast burrito. I also ordered a small breakfast roll as a side item. About 20 minutes later the waitress came back with the menu and said that they were out of the item and I should pick something else. I chose the almond pancakes. I haven’t had pancakes in a while. About 20 minutes later the waitress delivered my breakfast burritos AND almond pancakes. Everything but the small breakfast roll. I guess that was what she was trying to tell me they were out of. She probably thought I was the typical American who loved to overeat. Not to ruin the myth of the fat Americans, I ate both breakfasts – but it took 2 hours…does that count for anything?
Well I guess I missed Halloween. It is hard to keep track of holidays over here. Friday night when I was walking home from the bus stop I went past the Green Villas. These are the high priced homes that the expatriates stay. These homes rent for about 5-10 thousand per month. Typically the companies that the employees work for pay for the rent thus the reason a lot of companies can’t afford expatriates. Anyway, as I walked past their reception hall I heard a program going on. Adults were speaking on the PA system and little kids were gleefully cheering. I wondered what was happening. It didn’t dawn on me until the next day that it was a Halloween party and the party was the start of the beggar’s night. I wonder if they are going to have an Election Day party? One of the benefits about being in China
Well, this concludes this week’s journal. I have some work to finish up and I started a new book. Next week I will provide pointers in preparation for the next person that will replace me on this assignment. They still haven’t found a replacement yet for the Purchasing manager. It is not for the lack of trying. They have interviewed 9 people and yet to find a new one. Someone will definitely be coming over here as a replacement. It might be you…yes, you! Don’t be thinking it’s not you. Everyone is a candidate.
Last minute addition.
On Monday on the way to work, I was riding in a newer taxi. It had “captivated advertising”. In other words, they displayed video commercials in the back of the front-seat headrests. I haven’t been in many taxis in the US
1. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”.
2. “Talk to the hand”
3. “You have been steam rolled”
From this lesson, the Chinese has now formed an impression of the American Culture. Do they think that these are three critical phrases to learn if visiting the US
That reminds me of another humorous story that occurred last week. I was talking to one of my employees, Xie. This is the person I referenced earlier that did not have an American name and I nicknamed him “Shoe”. I have later learned that his named is pronounced “Shae”. He did have an American name, Shane, but he dropped it as many Chinese had a hard time pronouncing it. One would think that if you could say “Shae” then one could also say “Shane” but I guess not. Anyway, he was having a problem with my name. He asked me if I preferred “Tom” or “Thomas”. I sign everything Thomas at work so I am sure that is why he was confused. I told him I preferred “Tom”. I informed him that Tom was a shortened name of Thomas. I also stated that I would answer to anything. He immediately said, “What about Redneck”? That shocked me and I started to laugh out loud uncontrollably. When I regained my composure, I explained to him that was probably a name that should not be used to address someone from the US
Until next week.
Have a good day
Without Wax
Tom
Sunday – November 8, 2004
Twelve more days
Until next week, which will be my last.
Have a good day
Without Wax
Tom
Sunday – November 15, 2004
Last week I noted that this would be my last journal entry and I think I will keep my word. I plan to write one more entry to my journal on my flight home but I won’t share the entry. It will be a personal summation of my experience of my 3 months in Shanghai
I am so excited about the thought of returning home and seeing everyone. I already have a full agenda the first week back. I am taking the week off to spend with Shelly and Natalie. One day I will have meetings with my colleagues at the NCR Country Club to discuss the activities that I missed regarding our club hosting the 2005 US Senior Open (Be sure to order your tickets). Another day I will be traveling to Ft. Wayne Indiana
On the other hand, it saddens me to leave the assignment in China Shanghai China , the city of Shanghai , and the Delphi employees of the Asia Pacific region have created great memories that I am sure I will cherish for the rest of my life.
In terms of work, there is still a lot to accomplish. When I look at the work yet to be done, I begin to think I haven’t done anything. I have to take a step back and look at our team’s progress in the last 3 months in order to see the positive progress we have made. I truly believe I have made a positive impact but I will be the first to admit that another 3-6 months of leadership, mentoring, and coaching is still needed. I will have to determine how I can continue what I started but I must do it from North America . Another 3-month assignment is not an option for me but maybe a longer-term assignment may work in 2 or 3 years when I could possibly take my family.
My journal this week will be a fun one - I hope. I have generated a list of signs that indicate that it is time for me to come home. I will not try to explain some of my comments but you may ask me when you see me next.
But before my list, I have a couple of loose ends to tie-up. First, I read in the paper today an interesting article. Top-notch housekeepers (able to speak English, cook western meals, and be educated beyond secondary school) now have the earning power that matches the earning potential of white-collar workers in Shanghai
Secondly, my bike was probably not stolen. I think it was confiscated. One of the things I was going to write about previously, but failed, was the “crack-down” on bike riders. I had noticed at intersections that the police would write tickets to bike riders as they waited for the lights to change. I was astonished that the police would ignore the automobile traffic violations but “stalked” the bike riders. It so intrigued me that I asked at work why the policemen would be writing tickets to innocent looking bike riders. They informed me that it was probably un-registered bikes. I guess that bikes need to be registered. It cost $1 per year to register your bike and you get a little license plate to hang on your bike. I realized for the first time that I had been riding around town illegally but I was sure that they would not stop a Westerner. I didn’t think that they would want to upset their American guests and I doubt if they wanted the communication hassle. What I didn’t realize was that they also patrol for bikes that are not registered when the bikes are stored. Oh well, I wasn’t bringing it home anyway but the co-worker I was going to give it to no longer has it coming his way.
Speaking of co-workers, my admin, Jessica, finally passed her driving test. She had failed twice previously. I finally told her that she needed to pass so that she could drive me to the airport as her last official act. When she passed, she was excited to inform me that she could now drive me to the airport. Only one small issue, neither one of us has access to a car. She told me on Friday that it is her dream to visit America China to come to the US
Finally, the last item before my list. I better explain the “Without wax” comment. I am actually going to send out two versions of my journal. Everyone but my wife will get this one. Hers will not have this paragraph explaining the “without wax” comment. She still thinks that she can figure it out. I’ll just let her “cocky little self” figure it our on her own. Here goes…When Spanish sculptures would make a mistake while creating a sculpture they would cover their mistake by filling in the mistake with wax. If a sculpture were created without error it would be advertised as “without wax” or true or pure. According to those who believe the wax theory, sincere must mean "without wax" because in Spanish sin means "without" and in Latin cera means, "wax." So in other words, I was ending my journal entries with “Sincerely, Tom”. Probably anti-climatic, but it is amazing what one learns when one takes time to understand the origins of certain words. It has been so hard to explain words to my Chinese co-workers. Words that we use everyday but don't really know their origins. Redneck, Uptown Girl, Rave Review, 7-Up, ad-hoc, sincerely, etc.
Well, thanks for listening to me for 12 weeks. I hoped you learned something about the Chinese culture and I hope I didn’t bore you with personal ramblings. By the way, I was never “suicidal”. I was depressed for a while. One of the things that I learned about myself is that I need to have control of my destiny or actions. I hold myself personally accountable for my actions and my work scope. When I feel that I cannot control an activity I get very stressed. Probably not what my bosses want to hear but maybe it will help them understand me better. It was hard being 5,000 miles away from activities that involved me but I could not contribute or address - I have to work on that!
Drum Roll please……….
Why I know it is time for me to go home and stay for a while…
1. I was starting to enjoy ice cubes in my beer because it was actually making it more cool and refreshing
2. I was actually enjoying beer!
3. When taking a taxi, I would give driving directions to the driver at every intersection whether he needed them or not
4. I was able to pick up any type of food using just my chopsticks... even peanuts and rice.
5. Ping Pong was becoming my favorite sport
6. I no longer wait in line, but I would go immediately to the front of the line.
7. I would stop at the top or bottom of an escalator to plan my day.
8. It was becoming exciting to see if I could get on the elevator before anyone could get off the elevator.
9. I was no longer wondering how someone who earns US$ 363.00 per month could drive a Mercedes.
10. I started to agree that it really does save time to stand and retrieve your hand luggage while the plane is on final approach.
11. I could shake my hands almost perfectly dry before wiping them on my trousers.
12. Chicken feet with rice was beginning to sound just fine.
13. I actually believed everything I read in the local newspaper.
14. I started to develop an uncontrollable urge to follow people carrying small flags.
15. When listening to the pilot prove he could not speak English, I no longer wondered if he could understand the air traffic controller.
16. I was regarding it as part of the dining experience when the waiter correctly repeats your order and the cook would make something completely different.
17. I bought more knick-knacks than my grandmother ever did.
18. I was not surprised when three men with a ladder would show up to change a light bulb.
19. I would blow my nose or spit in public without even thinking of others
20. I started to look over people's shoulder to see what they were reading
21. I started to leave tables without picking up or pushing in my chair
22. I started to think it was no longer odd that taxi drivers would honk their horn at people because they were in his way as he was driving down the sidewalk
23. I had no guilt about looking for five minutes to find 10 RMB despite 15 people waiting in line behind me
24. I started to grow my pinky fingernail an inch long
25. I started to ride around on my bicycle ringing my bell for unknown reasons
26. I got my first case of bronchitis and I have never smoked a cigarette in my life.
27. The idea of seeing how this place will look at Expo 2010 actually started to appeal to me.
28. I realized that car accidents had become a source of humor.
29. I was starting to forget that the other person needed to finish speaking before I could start
30. I was burping in any situation and didn’t care.
31. I started to think that Pizza Hut was a high-class restaurant and was worth waiting 30 minutes just to get a table
32. When having conversations with my family I started leaving unnecessary words out of sentences and ended up talking like an idiot
33. I have learned how to detect someone is in a hurry behind me, and now have the ability to not only walk very slowly but also grow eyes in the back of my head, so when they start to overtake on the right hand side, I would automatically cut in and walk very slowly directly in front of them
34. I would watch taxi drivers pick their noses while stuck in traffic. Instead of feeling disgusted, I actually admired their technique
35. I saw people outside wearing shower caps in the rain, and instead of thinking what a freak; I actually understood the practicality behind it.
36. My eating manners in restaurants are now totally shot. Elbows on tables and spitting food out onto my plate are now the norm.
37. I learned how to jump the line because the man left 2 inches between himself and the person in front of them.
38. I finally decided to eat at McDonalds to put some solids into my body.
39. I was watching an American movie on HBO, with sub-titles, and was trying to learn Chinese that way.
40. I was beginning to like to watch BBC News World on TV.
41. I ate a kebab on the street and called it "Cat on a stick" and it didn’t bother me.
42. I was beginning to think that a $3 shirt was a rip-off.
43. A co-worker tapped me on the shoulder to talk to me, and I said "Bu Yan" (no thank you!) out of habit.
44. I was thinking about offering to sell my own watch to a $2 Rolex street vendor, to fend him off.
45. The vendor on the street selling bootleg DVD’s would recognize me walking his way and have a selection of kid videos waiting for my review
46. When my co-workers would speak in Chinese but throw an English word into the mix, I would think that I was starting to learn the language until I realized that it was just an English word and not my mind doing the translating
47. I started to think that it was odd that Americans eat yogurt with a spoon and not a straw
48. I stopped thinking that I saw Hugh Hefner at the store just because I saw a man shopping in his pajamas and slippers on weekends.
49. I have developed calluses on my two chopstick fingers
50. Hearing the few Chinese words that sound very offensive in the US
51. The anticipation of getting home and using the instant messaging function of my cell phone is too much for me to handle
52. Realizing that the Purdue football season will be over by the time I get home (Going to West Point to school doesn’t sound so bad now)
53. When talking about the Purdue Football game versus Ohio State
54. I realized that I was probably the only American to have gained weight while living in China
55. I had to resort to reading the same book twice since there were no other entertainment options
56. I realized that there were no other Adam Sandler movies left to view on HBO
See you REAL soon
Without Wax
Tom
