I followed my boyfriend to Beijing two years ago, thinking we were going to stay in this busy and crowded city for just six months. I still remember all the fears I had before arriving: language, work, culture and surviving in an Eastern communist capital. The biggest of all, needless to say, was adapting to the Chinese style of living. However, getting used to Beijing was simple and not as complicated as I had imagined it would be.
The first thing that really shocked me was the peculiar manners Chinese people have. Some of their common habits are burping and spitting as much as they can and everywhere they are. Moreover, it is not unusual to see people spitting in the subway or supermarkets, burping after a meal in a fancy restaurant or picking their nose as they talk to you. I had never imagined they would be a very glamorous people, but I expected more decency on their behalf.
As regards fashion, I was surprised to see how hip and trendy Chinese youngsters look. Big hairdos, black and sparkly clothes, loads of make up, high-heeled boots and huge Louis Vouitton bags are some of their daily looks. There is no doubt that this new generation of Chinese people wishes to break up ties with their cultural heritage and become more western. On the other hand, in the traditional neighborhoods in Beijing, the Hutongs, life seems more interesting and traditional. A tour through one of them gives every tourist a fresh insight into Beijing's local life and truly Chinese style.
Shopping for groceries without having a survival Chinese level is such a hassle that you need a good break afterwards. I remember one of my first trips to a local market; it was winter and snowing, and the fruits and vegetables had been all covered up with a thick and long piece of cloth, making it impossible for me to point to the desired item. I wanted to buy a small local melon, and had previously forgotten to look up the name in the dictionary. When the shop assistant saw how puzzled I looked, she decided to hand me a pen and a notebook so I could draw what I wanted. I have always been good at drawing, but I ended up buying a mango and feeling very frustrated.
As a result of my frequent disappointments at the local markets, I decided to start taking Chinese lessons with a very strict Chinese teacher. Needles to say, the first lessons were a complete nightmare and discouraged me of continuing taking them. The only exercise I did was repeat meaningless syllables and tones until they sounded acceptable to my teacher. Furthermore, every instance of “street practice” I encountered was crushed by the local people's lack of patience and understanding.
However, the need to get around Beijing and be able to communicate was so strong that I decided to carry on learning this syllabic and musical language.
Finding a job as an English teacher was quite simple, as there is a high demand for experienced foreign teachers. I will never forget the first English lesson I taught at Cui Wei Primary school, it was a fascinating experience. I remember it felt like teaching at a Military school, as Chinese teachers are tough and they like their students to be well behaved all the time. They make them march, repeat in chorus and stand up firm as soldiers every time they are allowed to answer a question. The only thing that made me realize I was in a Primary school was the students' attitude towards me, which was friendly and affectionate at all times.
Nowadays I am still living in Beijing, teaching at the same Primary school and struggling to improve my level of Chinese. Chinese people have recently developed a great interest towards the English language due to the coming of the Olympic Games to Beijing, therefore, it is not difficult to find people who can communicate in English. I miss Argentina very much, and I wish we could return soon. In the meantime, I plan to make the best out of this amazing city and learn as much as I can about Chinese culture.
