Guess what? My ear is 100% better!!!! No drugs...no doctor visit. I am now a total believer in the candle burning paper cone ear treatment.

Our cross cultural training class last Friday was very interesting. We learned about the differences and similarities between Western values and Chinese values and how our histories impact what we think and how we respond to different situations. We received a lot of information so I will try to explain some of it as it relates to our experiences and adventures in China.

Western culture is based on independence, choices, equality, the American dream, entrepreneurial spirit, freedom to speak your mind, etc… Westerners keep their personal lives separate from their work life and in some cases because of our laws are prohibited from asking personal questions in the work place.

I have not spent much time thinking about why we westerners think the way we do….but the bottom line is that America was built on "freedoms" and an “any one can succeed” attitude.

The Chinese culture is based on 6000 years (America is still such a baby)...let me repeat that....6000 years of history where high values are placed on loyalty to one leader that has all the power, close personal relationships with upper ranks and peers, Guanxi (term for favor giving with expected favor in return),following the rules, saving face, dealing with conflict through passive aggressive behavior, and not wanting to be singled out for any reason (good or bad). These behaviors stem from a variety of reasons with one very important one…speaking your mind can get you in trouble. You can see why these feelings run very very deep.

I think that relationships and passive aggressive behavior is really interesting because we have seen this happen first hand. It is not reeeeally funny but Tim and Abi and I are a little amused because we realized that our Ayi is a victim of this behavior. The dry cleaner in our neighborhood has not been doing a great job with our laundry which has caused Delia to become very upset with the attendant. She even mentioned that there was some “yelling” going on at the cleaners.She did not really say who was doing the “yelling” but I have my suspicions. I went to the cleaner yesterday with Delia and Jane so we could resolve a “missing item” issue. Wow!!! Like they say….”You could have cut the tension with a knife”. When Tim or I take the laundry we get “same day service”….in by 10:00am…..out by 6:00pm. When Delia goes to the cleaners she gets 4-5 day service and the day before yesterday only half of Abi’s sheet set came back. The duvet is missing. Delia has returned to the cleaners twice a day for three days straight….each time the attendant says come back tonight…then…. oh sorry….come back in the morning…oh..sorry…come back tonight… We were having dinner when she returned last night from the cleaner without the duvet…. and I think she might have been swearing in her native language… We tried really hard not to giggle out loud. I see a new dry cleaner in our future.

21 hours until we see Tucker.....Yes...I am counting!!!