So I wrote a blog about the left turns in China back in September. Well it's June now, and I have the rhythm of that big intersection down pat. Crossing it back and forth every day for these nine months has really made me more comfortable with it.
But there's another intersection I cross often, but not daily. Today as I crossed it to meet some friends, I found I have serious mental culture clashes.
It's really a clash between East and West. You see, in the West we see rules and freedom within the rules as most important. Stay between the lines. Obey the rules, and strike out on your own without problems. East sees people and relationships as the most important. Maintain harmony. Stay with the crowd, it's safer.
So now when I cross the street, the big inner clash is: to go with the people or go with the rules?
You see, the people all clump up, and then go while the left turn is still happening but all the other cars are stopped. At this particular intersection, cars often U turn, creating a time gap for a flock of pedestrians to run through and cross faster.
Today as I was crossing, East and West clashed in my mind. West shouted: it's not your turn to go! Wait for the green light! East responded: But everyone else is going! It's safer to go with the group! West yelled: but that kind of networking really gums up the system! East responded: but that networking IS the system here!!!
So I went with East. I crossed safely, but after crossing found myself wondering about my sanity as East and West battle each other now in my mind!
But there's another intersection I cross often, but not daily. Today as I crossed it to meet some friends, I found I have serious mental culture clashes.
It's really a clash between East and West. You see, in the West we see rules and freedom within the rules as most important. Stay between the lines. Obey the rules, and strike out on your own without problems. East sees people and relationships as the most important. Maintain harmony. Stay with the crowd, it's safer.
So now when I cross the street, the big inner clash is: to go with the people or go with the rules?
You see, the people all clump up, and then go while the left turn is still happening but all the other cars are stopped. At this particular intersection, cars often U turn, creating a time gap for a flock of pedestrians to run through and cross faster.
Today as I was crossing, East and West clashed in my mind. West shouted: it's not your turn to go! Wait for the green light! East responded: But everyone else is going! It's safer to go with the group! West yelled: but that kind of networking really gums up the system! East responded: but that networking IS the system here!!!
So I went with East. I crossed safely, but after crossing found myself wondering about my sanity as East and West battle each other now in my mind!
