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KateCee
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 72
Location: China....no more.
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 Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 12:16 pm Post subject: Blackboard Chalk |
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Hi again,
I�ve read that the blackboard chalk in China is brittle and messy. I have never used chalk on a blackboard. Would sidewalk chalk work there? They seem more solid. Or is there any special type of chalk that's used on the blackboard alone?
Another question. What is the proper etiquette when I meet my colleagues for the 1st time? Is it OK to shake hands with them? I know the Head Teacher who will be picking me up is in his early 40s, the Principal much older. How about the ladies?
Have a nice weekend everyone.
Kate |
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Ozone
Joined: 29 Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Location: Denmark
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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Just smile and shake hands. Learn to say "nice to meet you" in mandarin--I found that made people laugh and relaxed things (they were probably laughing AT me and not WITH me, but who cares  )
Don't worry about the chalk. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Chalk will be the least of your worries. |
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Minhang Oz
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 610
Location: Shanghai,ex Guilin
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| Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2003 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Go with the flow: adapt to local conditions. If Chinese teachers can use the chalk, I'm sure you can. Shake hands and speak English, unless you really can speak some Chinese. |
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sallyann
Joined: 18 Oct 2003
Posts: 39
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 12:24 am Post subject: |
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| Gordon is absolutely right - chalk will be the least of your worries! It really seems to me that you are worrying too much. Try to relax and accept that everything won't always go the way you pictured it and you can't plan for what kind of shocks will come your way. If you are friendly and smile a lot, people will like you. To them you are a foreigner, an outsider, and they don't expect you to be familiar with Chinese etiquette. They won't be putting as much pressure on you as you are putting on yourself. |
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KateCee
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
Posts: 72
Location: China....no more.
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| Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2003 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Ozone, Minhang Oz & Gordon, thanks for your suggestions. There�s this saying that some brilliant person came up with � The shortest distance between two people is a smile. However, that is not a concern at all. I have worked in India and Saudi Arabia and am very conscious about the cultural differences. Since we have access to information, I�m seeking it. It would be convenient to attribute any offensive behaviour on my part to lack of cultural knowledge
I know the quality of chalk is trivial compared to all the wonderful things I am going to experience. However, it has cropped up a few times & since I am still in a position to bring some along with me, I asked.
Sallyann, you made my day by writing
| sallyann wrote: |
| It really seems to me that you are worrying too much. Try to relax and accept that everything won't always go the way you pictured it and you can't plan for what kind of shocks will come your way. They won't be putting as much pressure on you as you are putting on yourself. |
My friends have always been accused me of being a cool cucumber because I do not get flustered easily. I personally think it�s a waste of time and energy to fret over things beyond my control. As for the shocks in life, I prefer to think of them as the spice of life. If I wanted things to run my way, I wouldn�t be heading to China.
Kate |
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