In China, we are famous!

I’m sure that you didn’t know that we are famous. Students often greet us. Many smile and wave. Not only the ones in our classes – but kids that we’ve never seen before. If we pass a group of children on the street they all say “hell-o.” The most baffling to us is that families or couples approach us when we’re out and ask if they can have their picture taken with us. We think that it’s like when we’re on vacation, and we see something really strange or new and different, we want to have our picture taken with it. And so it is with these Chinese people -- we’re so white and big and light-haired, that they are awed by the difference between us and them. So they feel a need to document it. We are always very amused by this.

Several times, a stranger has approached us and it’s our guess that they want to practice their English. One man on the street asked for our phone number, and gave us his, and he suggested that we get together some time for coffee. Several students (not our students) have offered their help with anything we might need, and then ask if they can come to our home for a visit. Dave has to ride the bus to and from the West Campus on the days that he teaches. Several times, other teachers (Chinese) have sat down beside him and have visited with him the full 50 minutes in transit.

We are missing our anonymity. We really just want to be left alone. One of the purposes that BYU sends teachers to China is to establish a presence, and make positive relationships. We’ve been encouraged to be out-going and friendly. I know that you would never believe it, but we aren’t really the out-going, friendly type. We have NOT been open to the idea of having students, or anyone else for that matter, come to our apartment for socializing. It’s our escape, and our retreat, and we want to be able to relax -- in our pajamas, without wondering who will be knocking on our door for a friendly visit.

Some of the other BYU teachers have the students come to their homes regularly. Some have set a time, when the students are welcome. I’m still not comfortable with this idea. Maybe it will come, but I doubt it. Dave and Linda Gold (one of the other BYU teachers) are planning to start an informal “English corner” on Tuesdays, at the West Campus, between classes, to handle some of the student’s requests to practice their English and visit.