Chinese People: Observations

1 - Chinese people are gay

Not that there's anything wrong with it.

Ok no seriously, I'm not actually sure if those individuals are actually gay or not, but they frequently physically express themselves in such a manner. The girls like to hold hands just walking around campus, and I'm not sure how representative it is, but these three guys on my floor schedule their showers so they can all shower together. Last night I was brushing, then they just all rolled in with their towels and stuff, proceeded to take the showers in an oderly fashion, then they continued their conversation. In the shower.

It's honestly not that big of a deal (especially coming from a liberal arts college/living around SF), but it has confused many an exchange student.

2 - Chinese people don't want to sit next to you on the bus

In no way shape or form, does anyone want to sit next to ANYONE on the bus. I'm not sure how it is other places, but on the BART people tend to sit in an orientation that allows the maximum amount of people to sit. Chinese people want the maximum amount of peope to be able to sit too, if "maximum" amount means "by myself without anyone near me." Let's take a look (we'll use the middle aisle for this demostration):


This is a classic setup, where a Chinese person has occupied the outermost seat in a three seat row. This seat leaves the window seat open, but the person sitting down hopes that the awkwardness of having to pass by will prevent anyone else from sitting. Really a basic technique as often the window seat will be occupied. The user of this method is still satisfied though with a one seat buffer

This seating arrangement works much like the first, but it much more effective as there is no buffer between Chinese people should the window seat of the two seat row be occupied. A more advanced technique, this often leaves the unoccupied seat unoccupied, unless a particularly bold (or tired) Chinese person wishes to sit. In which case both will sit uncomfortably until one gets off.

The most confounding situation for those who want to sit, this situation often leaves people standing. Chinese people are too polite to want to impose, and that is the basis of these techniques

Because while Chinese people don't want you (or anyone) to sit down next to them, they sure as hell aren't going to sit down next to anyone else either.

These of course, are the three most common seating arrangements on any given bus.

3 - Chinese people have jammies

All the guys on my floor have jammies - either boxer shorts looking like things or athletic shorts. And a worn in shirt. And once they get back to their room BAM it's jammies time. You never seen anyone hanging out in their room in jeans...just...you know, jammies

4 - Chinese people like to sing

In the car, in the shower. Falsettoes or rapping. They'll do everything everywhere, with varying degrees of skill

5 - Chinese people love to chant

Chinese societies (like clubs on campus) mainly seem to express themselves by going to public areas (the quad or canteens) and chanting. It's like stomp the yard but with less rhythm, more Chinese people, and in a language I can't understand. Plus these idiots on my floor love to go around the halls shouting what sounds like "EH-LIC! EH-LIC! EH-LIC!" Eric is apparently a "famous" person who lives in Shaw, so everyone clearly has to yell his name as tribute.

Which brings me to my last point...

6 - God dammit Chinese people actually do substitute "L" for "R" sounds. A lot.

anyways....

EH-LIC! EH-LIC! EH-LIC!