Power Of The Laowai!

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So, for those of you who don’t know and I’m guessing most, a laowai is the word used for foreigner. Really makes you feel ostracized in a way, rather than saying “american” or “japanese” like we do in America, they just call you “laowai”. However, in China, there is a power to being a laowai in many ways and truthfully, I find it quite hilarious.

Staring…it’s as simple as it sounds. They stare you down; in fact it’s definitely something that took me some time getting use to. They walk by, staring at you with amazement. My first day here at TLC, there were even some parents who would walk by the classroom, notice me in the room and take a step back like a “whoa” and just look inside like they didn’t see what they just thought they did. Some kids would come to the door and look through the doors (doors are glass) and then notice me, run away and come back with like 20 kids and start rambling in Chinese. It makes me smile because in my head I picture them saying “oh shit dude look at round eyes over there!”

My favorite one was when I went to a restaurant today; I forgot its Chinese name but it’s on the second floor and it’s called the Water Paradise. As the head teacher walks in, the lady goes to open the door (all doors are opened for you here) she sees him and then as I am walking in after him the girls draw dropped as I walked by. I was doing one of those smiles where you yourself are about to break out laughing…I was about half a second from saying “my name is Derek Jeter, want an autograph?”…honestly I’d think they’d take it even if I didn’t say that. In bigger cities like Shanghai where they’re plenty of foreigners, to them it’s nothing and they are use to it, however here in Xiaoshan they rarely see foreigners so we become little celebrities walking the streets.

There is a fear towards us as well, quite strange actually. If somebody is usually staring at me the way they are, you would bob your head and say “hi” or something of that demeanor to acknowledge them back home…well not here in China. As people stared I acknowledged them, even with a simple “ni hao” and a head bob…the guy practically curled up in a ball with the biggest shy ass face and goes “ni hao” but like could barely get it out with a whisper. This happened 3 times in a row and I started feeling guilty at this point like I was doing something wrong, I wasn’t of course but I sort of felt bad. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t’ every time. I go to restaurants and it’s no big deal with the waiters or anything, but people in streets staring or people opening doors seem to be the ones with this reaction.

Guys and their girlfriends are the most hilarious and definitely my favorite. A guy walking with his girlfriend and he sees me immediately goes to hold her hand or do some sort of action to emphasize “this is my woman”. I know this is especially true as I was walking towards what seemed to be like a Chinese mall and I turned around into a group and ended up sort of walking with them. As soon as they noticed a laowai behind them, there asses all started paring up with their girls. I have to admit, not only was this funny but I kinda enjoyed it, made me feel sexay! Haha

It’s interesting when the girl is reacting back in such a manner like “why the hell do you want to hug or hold me of all of a sudden, give me some air to breathe” but then men persist…I love it and just enjoy the moment. I know this is true because of the amount of times it happens. The other day I was waiting in front of my apartment complex for my colleague, and as I am, couple walks by with a child….as he does he sees me, put his arm around her and as soon as they pass me he takes his arm off her and walks as he was the entire street…what the hell was going threw his head in 5 seconds?

It does have its downfalls though. Being a laowai usually means you have a lot of money which is sort of true when you look at salaries. Today I was talking about most people’s poor salaries, simply around 1000RMB a month and that is enough to live and here I am with 5000RMB in my wallet from my plane reimbursement and I’m feeling poor! Either way, with people only making between 800RMB and 2500RMB a month, they know us laowais are making AT LEAST double that so they try and charge more than usual. Works on many people, maybe even on me already but I’ve been smart to stick to places that have prices in English numbers and enforcing the taxi drivers to use the meter even if they care not to. I’m always bargaining but its expected, most of the time I get a “give me your best offer” almost immediately and when I begin to walk away they throw crazy numbers out there. Just be strict and learn to bargain, grow some thick skin, I mean after all its one of the reasons I’m here. I’m just too damn nice!

In the end, being charged a kwai or 2 more for feeling sexy all day as guys run to their girlfriends in fear that I’m going to take them has its psychological benefits ^_^.

-Angel L. Negron Jr.


P.S.---I did have videos and pictures for this specific blog entry. I edited it, and created a new title and will begin writing a new story for the other blog so apologies for those of you who I said the laowai one will have photo’s and video. As soon as I get the cable I’ll upload the blogs for Chinese new year and the little Barack Obama Celebartion in the park.

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