So we had a cool little welcome luncheon for me today at work. It was interesting in that all the food was spread out on the table, everyone grabbed a tiny plate and some chopsticks and then proceeded to stand around the table and eat. No one sat down. The circle didn't move in any particular direction. You should saw what you wanted and stood in front of it until you got elbowed out of the way. This is exactly how they drive as well. Something inside them despises order and efficiency.
They also hold their plates differently than Americans. Everybody holds their plates just below their necks while they eat. They lower it to scoop food onto it, but while eating or just standing with an empty plate, its always up above their chest. I guess that's how they eat their noodles, so you just get used to having your arms in that position.
While we were still eating, the 3 non-chines folks in the office all had to give a biographical sketch. I put together a little .ppt of my life back home. I used simple subtitles in english and then used google translator to put chinese characters underneath. It turns out my name in chinese is 'jeff dark beer with much liquor'. And referring to my wife as 'the love of my life' turned into 'my lover for life'. That got a bit of a giggle out of the crowd. Everyone thought Jonathan was too cute. We're in trouble.
Anyway, the lunch was a highlight because they had chicken nuggets and dove milk chocolate bars for dessert.
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