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brsmith15

Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:54 am Post subject: DO NOT get involved |
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I've warned many newcomers about getting involved in Chinese problems, but this time I failed to take my own advice. Before I recant this sordid tale, let me say that about 3 months ago I came to the aid of an older woman who'd been laid flat as a result of a hit-and-run. As might be expected, about 60 Chinese hovered around allowing the dying woman no extra air. I did what I could and asked a guy who spoke English to tell the crowd to keep back and for someone to call both the police and the EMT's. I was later told I'd saved the woman's life. Maybe so, maybe not. I simply did what my instinct told me.
Here in my apt building, there's a woman who really belongs locked up. She's mentally unstable and dangerous. About 2 times a week, she screams at a pitch that would crack concrete and the target is her young son. A few days ago, as I was coming to my place,she was out in the hall and carrying on like the Grim Reaper was on her case. I feared for her son and so physically restrained her.
Later she called the PSB and I had to go to the local station. The cops were very professional but in the end I had to pay her 800 rmb and give her a formal apology. Luckily my Chinese wife was with me and was able to offer some supporting evidence of this woman's insanity. Still and all, I was the one guilty of battery and so Justice leveled her scales.
From now on, if I see any Chinese in trouble, I will do in Rome (SH) as the Romans (SH's). Ignore it. |
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NathanRahl
Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 509
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:19 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, the chinese have no sympathy for foreigners, especially those that try to help. Remember, no good deed goes unpunished. |
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Plan B

Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 266 Location: Shenzhen
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:49 am Post subject: |
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NathanRahl wrote: |
Yeah, the chinese have no sympathy for foreigners, especially those that try to help. Remember, no good deed goes unpunished. |
I have found that the elderly are particularly distrustworthy of foreigners. When I got burgled in my building, of course it was my fault, and blame couldn't possibly be placed at the feet of one of many other people who most likely left the security door open. Unfortunately, the Chinese take "respecting the elderly" to the next level - in one of my student's words "we must respect and honour their opinions even if we know for a fact that they are wrong".
In the case of the OP, the old-woman, despite being a little loopy, of course takes precedence. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:29 am Post subject: |
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I hear you man. I had a similar experience a while back. I posted about it here on eslcafe but it turned into the usual troll fest and I think that the thread eventually got locked. Here is a post to my story on another forum where the responses were a bit more in line with what I expected:
http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/index.php?name=MDForum&file=viewtopic&t=44347
I would also caution everyone to be wary when playing the good samaritan. Hopefully we won't all turn out backs on those in need, but certainly try to protect yourself if you do decide to step in. |
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englishgibson
Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:32 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Unfortunately, the Chinese take "respecting the elderly" to the next level - in one of my student's words "we must respect and honour their opinions even if we know for a fact that they are wrong". |
That is so unfortunately true in China
Now, once I knew a teacher who helped a woman that got in an accident. In the hospital where he helped her to, he had to justify his unwillingness to pay the woman's hospital bill....in front of police.
Peace to Chinese elders as well as all Chinese customs
and
cheers and beers to open-mindedness of western countries  |
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jeffinflorida

Joined: 22 Dec 2004 Posts: 2024 Location: "I'm too proud to beg and too lazy to work" Uncle Fester, The Addams Family season two
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:21 am Post subject: |
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One day these 2 chinese were going at it - one a women one a man. My Pretty Chinese Girlfriend said I should break it up - I said not a chance I didn't want to get involved.
I can tell you I have actually learned a few things from trolling Daves for the last 2+ years...
DON'T EVER GET INVOLVED IN CHINA IF IT AIN'T YOUR OWN BUSINESS.
That's should be #1 on the list of advice given to newbies... |
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JJ711
Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 36
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Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: |
I've warned many newcomers about getting involved in Chinese problems, but this time I failed to take my own advice. Before I recant this sordid tale, let me say that about 3 months ago I came to the aid of an older woman who'd been laid flat as a result of a hit-and-run. As might be expected, about 60 Chinese hovered around allowing the dying woman no extra air. I did what I could and asked a guy who spoke English to tell the crowd to keep back and for someone to call both the police and the EMT's. I was later told I'd saved the woman's life. Maybe so, maybe not. I simply did what my instinct told me. |
brsmith, you are a real hero. You saved this woman's life. If you encountered another accident like that one, would you try to help? |
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brsmith15

Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:54 am Post subject: |
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JJ,
You gave me pause with your soul-searching question. Yes, all things considered, I would help. F**k the consequences. I was brought up Christian and now embrace Buddhism as well, although I shun organized religions. Too stuffy and involved with a lot of ritual.
OH, I'm no hero, just an ordinary guy who sometimes finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. Just ask the woman who had me charged with battery; she'll tell you I'm some kind of fiend. |
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TravellingAround

Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 423
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:26 am Post subject: |
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Plan B wrote: |
NathanRahl wrote: |
Yeah, the chinese have no sympathy for foreigners, especially those that try to help. Remember, no good deed goes unpunished. |
I have found that the elderly are particularly distrustworthy of foreigners. When I got burgled in my building, of course it was my fault, and blame couldn't possibly be placed at the feet of one of many other people who most likely left the security door open. Unfortunately, the Chinese take "respecting the elderly" to the next level - in one of my student's words "we must respect and honour their opinions even if we know for a fact that they are wrong".
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Harsh but true. I was always wary about elderly Chinese. They are more likely to be xenophobic than their young and to try to poison their minds with such thought.
Probably not their fault but if you know about China's recent history it is hard to look at an elderly Chinese and not wonder just what kind of things they did in their youth...state-sanctioned of course but none the less evil for that... |
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Neilhrd
Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 233 Location: Nanning, China
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:07 am Post subject: The elderly find it hard to trust or adapt |
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I have had similar experiemces involving differing attitudes towards me as a foreigner between young and old Chinese people.
I often use the buses in Nanning and as I live right beside the terminus usually have a seat on my way to school. After a few stops the bus gets very crowded. I used to give up my seat if an old person got on as many young Chinese do. However the offer of a seat, made in Chinese, was nearly always refused although they would take a seat from a young Chinese person. I have never had any abuse and the old person was often embarrassed but still firm in their refusal. I think the reason is that they were brainwashed when young into believing that all foreigners were devils and therefore cannot lose by face by accepting a favour from the devil. Either that or they really think that I am a superior being with more right to the seat than they have which I find hard to believe.
I think the sheer pace of change in China has left many old people bewildered. With limited education they just can't adapt to changing attitudes to foreigners among many other things.
Whatever the reason I now rarely offer my seat to old people. However I still do so for young mothers with babies who invariably accept gratefully. |
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james s
Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Raincity
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:46 am Post subject: |
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This is a little vulgar but...my friend, a blond American, just came home and found black pubic hair shavings in his toilet.Of course, it was his fault for having his door and windows locked.
No Asian gf.
Nothing stolen, moved, or touched. Just the hair in the toilet. His razor was clean.
Seriously bizarre. |
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JJ711
Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 36
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:10 am Post subject: |
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Quote: |
Yes, all things considered, I would help. F**k the consequences. |
Well, you say you don't think you are a hero; I (and I'm guessing it's true for many other people) am spiritually uplifted by acts of this nature. I believe such things demonstrate that humanity is universal in mankind. I've sometimes wondered whether or not this remained true in today's global society; once again, I can rest assured that the good human spirit continues to shine. |
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cj750

Joined: 27 Apr 2004 Posts: 3081 Location: Beijing
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:01 am Post subject: |
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Once in Changchun, a couple of girls were getting bit ch slapped by a couple of man-purses in the street across from the "jao zi" King....off to the rescue went the calvary in the guise of a couple of laoshi laowai..and true to the creed of the Chinese..the whores went after the bulls..chivalry is dead in China..
what is Chinese is Chinese..and what is foreign is foreign...
For those who still drink at Mayflowers..stand outside on a weekend night and see how many Chinese try and get between those big German Autoworkers.. |
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sultansofping

Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 188 Location: Home!
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Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 5:10 pm Post subject: Re: The elderly find it hard to trust or adapt |
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Neilhrd wrote: |
I have had similar experiemces involving differing attitudes towards me as a foreigner between young and old Chinese people.
I often use the buses in Nanning and as I live right beside the terminus usually have a seat on my way to school. After a few stops the bus gets very crowded. I used to give up my seat if an old person got on as many young Chinese do. However the offer of a seat, made in Chinese, was nearly always refused although they would take a seat from a young Chinese person. I have never had any abuse and the old person was often embarrassed but still firm in their refusal. I think the reason is that they were brainwashed when young into believing that all foreigners were devils and therefore cannot lose by face by accepting a favour from the devil. Either that or they really think that I am a superior being with more right to the seat than they have which I find hard to believe.
I think the sheer pace of change in China has left many old people bewildered. With limited education they just can't adapt to changing attitudes to foreigners among many other things.
Whatever the reason I now rarely offer my seat to old people. However I still do so for young mothers with babies who invariably accept gratefully. |
no dont think so, most likely it was respect to foreign guests |
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englishgibson
Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345
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Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 6:19 am Post subject: |
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brsmith15 wrote: |
JJ,
You gave me pause with your soul-searching question. Yes, all things considered, I would help. F**k the consequences. I was brought up Christian and now embrace Buddhism as well, although I shun organized religions. Too stuffy and involved with a lot of ritual.
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Heads up and,
Cheers and beers to ya  |
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