You know that warm feeling you get when you feel whole, when you feel like you’re exactly where you should be? That’s how I feel here, and I know it’s because of the people. When I think about the Chinese people I’ve met, generosity is the first trait that comes to mind.
Last weekend, our Foreign Affairs Officer’s parents invited us over for lunch. Without speaking a word of English, they welcomed us into their apartment, motioning for us to take off our shoes and try on the slippers they offered. They gestured over to their living room, where a beautiful display of fresh grapes, sliced peaches, roasted walnuts, and fresh tea was set out.
Our Foreign Affairs Officer’s father sat with us, speaking in muffled Chinese and refilling our tea cups— all with the brightest smile on his face. We didn’t need to translate then, because we knew how content he felt simply hosting us in his home. We soon moved over to the table together while our Foreign Affairs Officer’s husband poured beer into our cups.
I gazed in awe at the food before me: crisp broccoli and carrots, roasted duck, fresh beef, sauteed lotus root, homemade sheep dumplings... Mouth-watering. We said a "Cheers!" ("Gānbēi!") together and in that moment, I felt so welcome.
My birthday was last Monday. I was never one to make a big deal about it back in the States, but I knew it would be different celebrating it so far away from friends and family. When I walked into the English department office before my first class, I was greeted with birthday wishes and hugs all around. In both of my classes that day, the students sang happy birthday together (so impressive!).
Later that afternoon, our Foreign Affairs Officer called me into a meeting in the Headmaster’s office— the Headmaster wanted to check in to see our first few days of classes were going.
As we walked into the Headmaster’s office, our Foreign Affairs Officer stood by the door with a worried look on her face. She whispered through the doorway, “Some parents have complained, I don’t know... It’s about your classes.” My stomach dropped. I looked over to Justin, who shrugged, but I could tell he was worried too. We sat in front of the Headmaster’s desk, waiting.
The Headmaster walked out from the back of her office with several bags in her hands. She pulled a large box out of one and opened it — a porcelain tea set. “Happy Birthday, Addie,” she said, with a smile.
We immediately started laughing, realizing the complaints about my classes were a total joke. I teared up a little then — not only because of the beautiful gift, but because of how genuinely happy everyone seemed to be together, and to have me there, too.
One afternoon after class, Justin and I walked to the grocery store in search of some salmon to cook that evening. We walked the 10 or so minutes to the store and began wandering the produce aisle, looking for eggplant or asparagus to have with our meal. A man in a uniform approached us exclaiming, “Hi! Hello! My name is Wade... Like the basketball player.” He immediately started laughing, and we joined in.
We soon learned he was the grocery store manager. He walked us around the store, explaining where different items were and what the discounts were for the week. He helped us sign up for a member discount plan so we could save every time we shopped. He even exchanged numbers with us, letting us know we could call or message him anytime we needed.
That’s my last story, I swear... But I could go on.
Maybe I’m a bit jaded for having lived in the States for so long (and on the flip side, not having experienced being a foreigner for a long period of time), but I’m continually blown away by the generosity this country has shown me. It's truly a special place.
