It Tastes Like...

...well, like dirt!

Spring is coming in like a lion in Guyuan! The dust storms are picking up steam. Today we couldn't really see the sun. In China this isn't so unusual, but out here it is because of the dust and not that big city "haze". The kids have been a little depressed because of the weather, because of poor test results, because of boyfriends/girlfriends, blah, blah, blah. So tough being a teenager in the spring.

I have seen quite a few inventive plastic bag hats because of the blowing dirt. Also, there have been fewer street vendors out. I have taken up the practice of holding my breath and hoping that I won't get caught in a big gust of wind whenever I pass the pee nook. Tasting the gritty, earthy Guyuan air is one thing, but tasting very well used gritty, earthy Guyuan air is quite another.

They have decided to postpone the English competition because it was supposed to start tomorrow, but as of 4 PM this afternoon they still did not have a definite time or location yet. Planning. I won't comment anymore on this because it enrages my Excel Spreadsheet type of mentality.

Matt and I were talking about Chinese etiquette, or the lack there of. This conversation was sparked as we were walking out of the mall directly behind a couple of women. The mall had heavy plastic strips hanging in the door frames to block the wind/cold. We normally hold the strips back long enough for the next person to reach out and block them before getting hit in the face. However, this practice is not regarded by the general population. They just hold it open enough for them to pass through and don't care if you get hit in the face with the strips or poked in the eye by their hand.

So, this incident inspired a little conversation about etiquette. We have found that we are a little more rude than we were in the states. I consider the pushing more of a sport now (not exactly a fun sport though), and I don't feel guilty about not clearing my tray at the fast food places (we do it for kicks though, we are usually chased down by restaurant employees). Out here we have noticed that the key etiquette practice is not to show anger or discontentment. We got to thinking that all of this repressed anger and frustration might be fueling other behavior, mainly all of the damn pushing. An outlet to get out all of that internal rage. Just a theory.