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Cheer on my Chinese chums

By Todd Balazovic (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-21 09:07

I have a habit I must confess. It usually happens around midnight and involves a couple of drinks, or pitchers. While it always seems like a good idea, when the morning comes around I am never quite so sure.

It starts with a sense of embrace about to take place. I spot someone across the restaurant or bar, make eye contact and decide to pounce. They are usually wearing a languid look as I thrust myself out of my seat and slide across the floor, eyes focused, heart pumping. Then, before words are exchanged, I lift my glass and give a loud ganbei before guzzling down my drink.

I love gate crashing a good old Chinese cheers!

There's something to be said for joining people in their moment of elation. It needs little Chinese knowledge and it can change an atmosphere quicker than playing Abba at a hip-hop concert.

It's a wonderful part of Chinese culture that few Westerners indulge in outside their own circle of friends and it's even less likely they would approach strangers offering their glass in toast. But as we approach the Lunar New Year we should all make it our Lunar New Year's resolution to understand and engage in the joys of ganbei a little more.

Usually when I randomly approach a table of cheery Chinese at a restaurant, I'm met with an audience of bewildered, if not perturbed, gazes. These soon become raucous roars as my intentions become clear.

My most recent exploits took place last weekend, while enjoying a late night nibble at Jindingxuan, a 24-hour Cantonese restaurant near the Lama Temple.

While munching on some midnight goodies with a pal, I spotted a group of merrymakers at a table nearby. They were quite clearly enjoying themselves and so, being someone that also likes to enjoy myself, I stepped over briefly and offered my glass before sliding back to my own seat.

Within five minutes, my newly made comrades came and returned the favor. Another 10 minutes and we were sharing half-English half-Chinese stories as though we were old war buddies. In a sense, we would soon be wearing the same scars.

Occasionally, this habit of mine has gotten me into some sticky situations.

The worst was on a rooftop bar while visiting Beidaihe in Hebei province.

After engaging the table next to us in good neighborly cheers, I was catapulted into the thickest of the jubilation.

My neighborly cheers soon snowballed out of control and I found myself standing in front of an entire rooftop bar chock full of clapping and cheering Chinese. They were urging me to join in a boozed up ballad with the bar's guitarist.

With all eyes on me, I reluctantly adorned the harmonica-holder-turned-microphone-stand and, like a cat being strangled, stumbled through three verses of an old American song that I had thought to be extinct for the last four decades. The clapping quickly ceased.

I returned to the table a half-hearted hero, but the fanfare continued and my embarrassing feat was quickly forgotten.

My advice for expats looking to shed their shell as the Lunar New Year approaches - the next time you see a table of Chinese, go ahead and give a toast.

Just remember, despite your mother's naggings, not all habits are bad. Ganbei!