1. They know everything. (Probably not, but pretty close). It doesn't matter what the nature of my question is, they always have an answer. Work related things, they of course can help me with, but even things like where to buy used TVs, how to hire a handyman, or where the best fresh produce is...they know. Most of them are locals, so they are my go-to guys for everything.
2. They are patient with my pathetic language skills. When we are not actively helping someone, we stand in the lobby near the front doors greeting guests and chatting. We try to chat. Two years without formal Chinese study is evident in these times. They see my eyebrows begin to furrow and my head begin to tilt in an expression of confusion and they already have started an alternate word choice or method of explanation for whatever it is we were talking about. They are willing to explain things multiple times and not give up until we have somehow managed to communicate. They also will listen intently to the mess of words I put together with terribly incorrect tones until somehow (divine inspiration?), they figure out what I was trying to say.
3. They are kind and helpful. Not only professionally with our guests, but they are all just great individuals. Almost all of them have offered to personally help me in one way or another. With my recent visa issues ZW has asked every single day for updates on the situation and sincerely expressed hope that things will work out. On Tuesday HW volunteered to be my handyman and fix some things at my house on his day off. I kept refusing telling him I just need to find out how to hire one. He then gave me a list of all the reasons he should help me. Some of them included: he has lived in my neighborhood for 23 years so he knows where to buy all the tools or anything we would need. He's my coworker and we have a good relationship so I should have no reason to be embarrassed to ask him for help with small things. Living here and living in at home in America must feel so different and feel so far away and if he can make it feel any more like home here, then he has an obligation to do so.
I'm telling you, these guys are nice.
4. They are so fun! One of these guys was the first one up the bungee jump platform during our trip to Beijing. The manager of the department rallied a bunch of guys to participate in the mechanical bull riding, timing each one as a competition, which he later won. When our words aren't communicating clearly enough, none of them are ashamed to act things out in the middle of the marbled-floor lobby of our fancy hotel.
I really do love my job here and having such great coworkers makes it even more enjoyable!
1 comment:
Wow, it sounds like you are having so much fun! Reading through your blog made me want to pack my bags and get on a plane. I have been thinking a lot about your city. I hope your travel plans get worked out.
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