Culture Shock

“WHOA!” That’s what the look on my co-worker’s face said, and it’s definitely what I was screaming inside my mind. What was the cause for our shock? Well… our boss called her fat. The co-worker in question is a woman visiting Shanghai as a temporary liaison from another location of the company. She is by no means fat. In fact, she is a very normal, healthy weight; she just doesn’t have a petite Asian frame.

It was quite brisk today, and while walking to lunch, one of the ladies was complaining that it was too cold. When another countered this and said she wasn’t all that chilly, our boss laughed and said, “That’s because of your fat!” Granted, she did continue to say how she used to always get cold but now she has fat too (and she is very thin), so it is clear that she didn’t have any malicious intentions. However, as my co-worker gave me a look of shock (and I had to suppress my own reaction!), it just made me realize that there really is a major culture difference. Sometimes it seems like other countries have assimilated to Western culture, but other times it is crystal clear that only some aspects of Western culture are adopted, and there are still major cultural differences. It is really important to remember this, and be tolerant. As her shock faded, I’m sure my co-worker realized that the commenter was not in fact rude and uncouth, but rather just simply didn’t see any harm in her comment.

So anyway, that was the major take-away from my second day of work. I’ve survived my first two days (and without being called fat, at that!). After my first day, I must admit that I was feeling sort of down about my internship. I spent the whole day doing, (excuse my language, but for lack of a better phrase…) bitchwork – filing things, and whatnot. At least I didn’t have to sharpen any pencils!

Today I finally got a computer setup for me, and now I’m in business! (It’s quite interesting… these days, if you are computer-less, you’re basically paralyzed in many jobs.) I was suddenly given projects to work on, and I instantly felt gratified. It seems as though I’ll get the chance to do ACTUAL work, and hopefully make some contributions. So far I’ve done some editing and policy-writing, but what I’m most excited for is the project that I am in charge of: formulating a plan for the launch of an employee health and wellness program! Enough about work for now; I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say about it soon.

Since rainy season has just begun, I had to go back to the apartment after work and change my clothes. Then I met some other Harvard students for dinner in XinTianDi. I had a nice chat with my cab driver, who was impressed with my Chinese (luckily our conversation topic was within my vocabulary!) and commended my parents bright idea to marry Meiguoren and Zhongguoren (American and Chinese). After eating some Xiaolongbao (my favorite Shanghainese/Chinese food!!!), we went down the street to a jazz club. There was a live band, and their renditions of Stevie Wonder, the BeeGees, and such were great! (Most likely made even better by the free champagne…)

I really should get to bed now, though. Wednesday is a holiday (Dragon Boat Festival), so we have to work Saturday and Sunday because M-W is our three day “weekend.” That’s another strange Chinese corporate concept… work the weekend so you can take Monday and Tuesday off. That just wouldn’t fly in the US of A!