Voices

Taking a dig at stereotypes from the other side

By William Axford (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-17 10:39

"If you dig a hole to the center of the Earth, you'll eventually end up in China."

This is a tall tale told to American children to explain how far away China is. Children are taught from a very young age that life on the other side of the world is strange, and can potentially be scary.

So when I told everyone that I would be spending my summer in Beijing, there was no shortage of comments on how different my life would be.

"It's a communist country - the government will punish you severely for any of your wrongdoing, no matter how small the crime."

"Barely anyone speaks English; you won't be able to buy a single thing or travel anywhere."

These were but a few of the concerns that some of my family and friends brought up. But I was still determined to see the country for myself. Images of walking along the Great Wall or visiting the Forbidden City shrouded any advice given to me.

Eating authentic Chinese food that wasn't covered in MSG only made me hungrier to go abroad. I had my mind made up and no one could stop me.

After spending two days bouncing from airport to airport and flying over the Pacific Ocean for several hours, I arrived in Beijing. I made it to the other side of the world without having to dig a single hole.

My first reaction to Beijing is amazement at the sheer size of the city. Chicago was the last major city I saw before leaving for China. The Windy City looks like a child's playground compared to this place.

Cities in the US are given negative stereotypes. Beggars are said to be on every street corner. Crime is rampant and people aren't expected to live long. The city is a dangerous and strange place. For most people, it is to be avoided altogether.

The last time I was in Chicago, strangers bombarded my friend and me for money and cigarettes.

I have yet to be pestered for change or anything to smoke since coming to this metropolis. No stereotype of the Chinese culture and life in the big city has yet to manifest itself.

The government hasn't chased me down yet for jaywalking. Tanks haven't materialized when a wrapper doesn't make it into the garbage can. Soldiers of the "ironclad" communist government haven't been stomping around the city like most people told me they would.

It's true that I know absolutely zero Mandarin. Even with my book of simple phrases in my hand, communicating verbally is an embarrassing and futile exercise on my part. Hand gestures and facial expressions, thankfully, know no language barriers. Food has never tasted so sweet after minutes of pointing and expressing prices with my fingers.

To be fair, it hasn't even been a week yet. I'm sure there will be times when flailing my arms will be as useless as my Mandarin. I have yet to ride the subway as well, which I hear is an experience all its own.

I have seen some soldiers around the city. But like everyone else that I have come across on the street, I'm ignored so long as I don't do anything to bring attention to myself. But if I had to put money on it, I would bet that I have little to fear so long as I stay respectful to both the people and the law.

I've got three months to learn as much as I can about this side of the world. If I can get up to three simple phrases down, I'll consider my time here well-spent. If not, I'll have to get more creative with my body language if I want to do more than eat fine Chinese cuisine.

And hopefully, my experience here in Beijing will give me enough insight to correct stereotypes that people back home have made about this corner of the world. Of course, if my friends still think they can make it to China by digging a hole, I might have my work cut out for me.