At this point we started to compare going out in the States versus going out in China. It turned out that Lu was going to go on a date with an American guy (who speaks Chinese, though) that same evening. Here the conversation got tricky because to me the rules of American dating are something of a mystery, and I don't really know the language clues, but it definitely seems that Chinese dating is way more traditional and Lu was somewhat worried. However, since this young man knew Chinese very well, we agreed that any misunderstanding could be cleared. She promised she'd tell me all about it, and with a last giggle and a hug I left her in front of Strozier library.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Maria CP Week 3 -- Dating?
Yesterday was my third meeting with my CP, Lu. She started by telling me that she is homesick; she misses her parents, her friends, the things she does back home, and most of all: she misses Chinese food. When you are abroad there always comes a time when you miss home and all those things and people you are familiar with. It happened to me one summer I spent in Finland teaching Italian and Spanish at a couple of summer schools. I liked it, but at a certain point it just felt that there was too much of "Finland" all around me, and I longed to get away and have a break. I understand Lu's feelings. So, we chatted for a while about her favorite pastimes with her friends back in China. She told me they go to K-TVs (???) all the time. From her description I gathered these to be places where you and your friends can go to sing karaoke. However, they are not bars, or restaurants, or night-clubs. So I am not entirely clear of what they are, other than a public space to sing in.
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Karaoke establishments are common in Asia. A group can go to one and can get a room to sing their lungs out. It's fun. Everyone can get together and have a good time with no fear of embarrassment in front of a bunch of strangers.
ReplyDeleteAs for dating, China is pretty big, so there isn't one universal dating set of dating rules. I know my girlfriend (who is from the north-east part of China) said it's common for couples not to kiss until after the first month, and maybe even family might accompany them at first. But once someone is outside their home country, those rules are more like guidelines. At least that has been my experience.