East Meets West

US-China Information recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Su, a Chinese doctor who's been in the States for 6 months and is now working as a medical researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. In this interview, Dr. Su graciously shares some of her experiences and reflects on life in the U.S. [In the previous post, West Meets East, American writer Kristin Bair O’Keeffe answers the same questions as Dr. Su does here.]

中美信息最近有幸采访苏医生。苏医生已居住在美国六个月， 现在匹兹堡大学做医学研究。 在采访中，苏医生分享她在美国的经历［在前文刊， 西方与东方相遇，美国作家Kristin Bair O'Keeffe回答和苏医生同样的问询。］

US-C Information: You probably did a fair amount of research before you moved from China to the States. Of the information that you learned, what was most helpful?

中美信息：在从中国移居到美国前，你可能作了许多研究。从你找到的信息中，你觉得哪些最有用？

Dr. Su: The most important thing is to learn English because if your language isn’t good, it’s hard to communicate with native speakers. I had this problem. Usually Chinese people are good at grammar and reading and writing but poor at listening and speaking.

Also, I read a really helpful book that told all about the U.S.—explained the map of the states, told about the the weather, the university system, etc.: USA Atlas by Shaoming Li and Min Zhou.

苏医生：最重要得是学英语，因为如果你语言不好，很难和当地人交流。我遇到此问题。一般来讲，中国人语法，阅读和写作要比较好，但听力和谈话能力差。

还有，有一本很有用的书告诉了所有有关美国的信息，解释了美国地图，天气和大学制度等等。

US-C Information: What information did you not have that you wish you had had?

中美信息：什么信息你现有但你来美之前没有？

Dr. Su: If you are going to work in America, you really have to know about your field of study, and to be able to talk about it--not just about your particular area, but also about how the field as a whole is developing in the U.S. This is especially important in the sciences or medicine because they develop so fast.

苏医生：如你去美国工作，你真需精通你的专业。你要能和他人探讨不只是专门一项，而且能探讨整个行业，尤其是在快束发展的科学和医学领域。

Also, you should know a lot about China because Americans will ask you about your country— e.g., about Chinese culture and aspects of daily life such as food, sports, entertainment. . .

And: Americans ask about Chinese greetings, such as how to say “Hello. How are you?” or how to respond.

还有，你应该具有充足的中国信息，因为美国人会问你有关中国的信息。比如，有关中国的文化和日常生活象饭菜，体育和游乐等等。

再有，美国人对中文有兴趣，象怎么说：‘喂，你怎么样？’ 或怎么回答。

US-C Information: Was there any organization that helped you when you first arrived in Pittsburgh?

中美信息：当你刚到匹磁堡，有任何组织帮助你乐吗？

Dr. Su: I had several friends here who had been here for many years, and they arranged everything for me. It’s especially important to find a place to live before you come. If someone moving to the States doesn’t have friends to help them find a place to live, they can look on the Internet for a house or to find a roommate. Also: the CSSA—Chinese Students and Scholars Association—which has branches at most American universities, also offers a lot of helpful information. [For more information, visit CSSA's website.]

苏医生：我有几个朋有在这很多年了，他们给我安排好了一切。来之前找到一个住的地方特别重要。如国有人到美国之前没有认识人的话，可在网上找一个房子或找一个合住的人。还有，中国学生和学者领会在美国大多数大学都有分点，提供很多有用的信息。［如需信息， 请查 CSSA's 网站。］

US-C Information: What misconceptions do Chinese have about living and working in the U.S.?

中美信息：中国人对在美国居住和工作有什么成见？

Dr. Su: Many Chinese people think that they can earn a lot more working in America than in China—that it’s easy to get rich. However, if you want to make a lot of money, you have to work very hard and work long hours.

苏医生：许多中国人认为在美国能比在中国多挣钱，很容易变的富有。但是如你真想挣很多钱，你必须很辛苦地工作和工作很多小时。

Also, before I came here, I thought that the American lifestyle was exciting, but now it seems as if it’s mostly just go to work—go home at the end of the day—come to work the next day. . . There’s not a lot of socializing with colleagues, for example. Many Chinese people in the US associate mostly with Chinese. Sometimes it’s hard to make friends with Americans.

还有，在我来美国之前，我以为美国的生活很兴份，但现在看来似乎大都是上办，下班回家，明天接者上班。。。。。。比如，同事之间没有什么交往。大多在美国的中国人都和中国人交往。有时很难和美国人交朋友。

US-C Information: What misconceptions about Chinese do many Americans have?

中美信息：美国人对中国人有什么成见？

Dr. Su: Many Americans think that Chinese in China aren’t happy. They don’t realize that China has developed enormously over the last 20 years—e.g., many Americans are surprised to learn that most Chinese people who live in the cities have cars. So, I think that Chinese visitors to the US should know a lot about China and be able to speak English well. Then, we can give Americans an accurate picture of what China is really like today.

苏医生：许多美国人认为中国人不幸福。他们没有认识到过去的二十年中国发展具大。比如，许多美国人很惊讶地发现许多住在城市的中国人有车。所以我觉的中国到美国的出访者应该拥有很多中国常识，而且会说好英文。然后我们能给美国人更切实际的中国现今报道。

US-C Information: What’s surprised you most about living in the U.S.?

中美信息：对你来说住在美国最吃惊的是什么？

Dr. Su: A few things. First of all, that I didn’t speak English as well as I thought I did! I had studied English for many years before coming here, but I didn’t understand anything! People spoke very quickly, and I was very nervous. I still have problems understanding native speakers, but it’s better. Asking people to speak slowly taking an English class, watching TV, and talking with colleagues have helped a lot.

苏医生：有几个情况。首先，我发现我的英文没有我想象的好。在我来之前，我学了好几年的英语，但我什么也不懂。人们说话很快，我很紧张。至今我还有困难听懂当地人讲话。但已经好多了。请别人讲慢点，上英语课，看电视和同同事交流对我帮助很大。

Also, I’ve been surprised by the number of churches and how active they are in the community. Many of them offer free English classes.

还有，我很惊奇地发现很多的教堂和其在社区的重要性。很多教堂提供英语课。

And: that if you’re affiliated with a university as an employee or a student, you can use all of the facilities for free—the gym, the pool, etc. That’s different than in China, where you generally have to pay to use them.

再有，如果你是大学的职员或学生，你可以免费用其设备，象键身房，游泳池等等。在中国不一样，你一般需交费使用。

US-C Information: How does the cost of living in the U.S. [in this case, Pittsburgh, PA] compare to China?

中美信息：美国的消费 ［这指滨州匹磁堡］和中国比如何？

Dr. Su: Electronic products are cheaper in the US, but food is cheaper in China.

苏医生：电器在美国便宜，食物在中国便宜。

US-C Information: Is public transportation easy to use?

中美信息：公共交通方便吗？

Dr. Su: I’ve been very happy with the bus system. In China, the buses are very crowded, but here you can usually sit down. Sometimes, the drivers are very nice. I remember how one day, I was waiting for the bus to the airport, but I was waiting at the wrong place. When the driver saw me standing with my luggage, rather than just driving by, he stopped the bus and asked another passenger to get off and call to me.

苏医生：我对共交很满意。在中国，共公汽车很拥挤，但在这你能找道座位。有时司机很友好。我记得有一天，我在车站等去飞机场的汽车，但我等错地方了。当司机看见我拎着行礼站在那儿，并没有开走，反儿停下车，叫一个乘客下车来叫我。

West Meets East

US-China Information recently had the opportunity to interview American writer Kristin Bair O’Keeffe about her experiences living in Shanghai over the past 3 years, and we’re happy to share her responses below. [In the post above, East Meets West, Chinese Dr. Su answers the same questions as Kristin does here.]

中美信息最近有幸访问美国作家Kristin Bair O'Keeffe有关她在上海三年的经历。我们很高兴和您分享她以下的感受。［在以上的文刊，东方与西方相遇， 中国苏医生回答的采问和Kristin回答的采问一样。


US-C Information: You probably did a fair amount of research before you moved from China to the States. Of the information that you learned, what was most helpful?

中美信息：在你来美国之前，你肯定做了很多的调擦研究。从中你觉的什么最有用？

Bair O’Keeffe: Actually I didn’t have a whole lot of time to do research. In late November 2005, my husband (then fiancé) and I decided to move to China. In February 2006, we got married. Six weeks later we moved. It was nuts—but loads of fun.

Bair O'Keeffe: 说实在的，我并没有很多时间做调研。在2005年十一月底， 我的丈夫（那时还是未昏夫）和我决定移居到中国。在2006年二月份，我们结了昏。六个星期后，我们般到了中国。那真是不可想象，但是充满兴趣。

We did have a cultural training session (provided by my husband’s company) a few weeks before moving. Though some of the information was outdated (how could it not be? China changes faster than any other place in the universe), it was pretty helpful.

在般家之前的几个星期，我们去了我丈夫公司提供的文化习属训练班。虽然有的信息过时了（怎么会不过时？中国的变化比这个宇宙的任何其它地方都快），但还是很有用。

One of the most important aspects of Chinese culture that we learned about during the session was the concept of guanxi. Formally, guanxi is a personal connection between people that allows those people to call upon one another for favors or service. Informally, it goes a little like this: I know you and you know me and you went to school with my Uncle Carl, so therefore I can ask you to do me a favor. Then later, when you need a favor, I’ll be there for you.

Guanxi has proven to be very important in both my husband’s workplace and our private lives. You just never know when a little guanxi will get you what you need a little faster or a little more efficiently.

That said, I still don’t think there’s any amount of research that can prepare you for the experience of living in China. A two-week vacation, maybe. But to live? No way. You just have to dive in.

我们在培训课上学的最有用的中国文化之一是关系。正规的来讲，关系是人与人之间的来往，有机会互相帮忙。随便讲来，就象以下：我认识你，你和我叔叔在同一个学校上过学，所以，我可以请你帮忙。如以后你需要帮忙，我一定会回报。

事实证明关系在我丈夫的公司和我们的生活中都十分重要。你不知道什么时候一点点关系会帮助把事办的快一点，效力好一点。

即使是这样，我觉的不管你做多少调研，你也不会准备的充足。如果去中国度假两个星期还行， 去住是不行的。如去住，你只好象游泳一样投进去才行。

US-C Information: What information did you not have that you wish you had had?

中美信息：你希望有的什么信息但你当时没能有？

Bair O’Keeffe: Oh gosh, I wish I’d known that our landlord wasn’t going to outfit our kitchen with dishes, pans, knives, etc. I spent the first few weeks in Shanghai chopping up sausages with my husband’s Swiss Army knife…until I sliced the heck out of my finger and made my way to IKEA for real kitchen supplies. But, of course, the misunderstanding with our landlord was caused by the language barrier…my biggest challenge in China.

I’ve been studying Mandarin since arriving in April 2006, but when I got here, the only thing I could say was ni hao (hello). Not being able to speak to people or understand what was going on around me drove me crazy. I sounded like a parrot (ni hao, ni hao, ni hao). It would have been so helpful to have studied for at least six months BEFORE moving.

Now I do pretty well. I can talk with the workmen who fix things in our apartment, make hotel reservations on the phone, chat with clerks, etc. I’m definitely not fluent, but I’m functional. This makes life in Shanghai so much more enjoyable…just being able to chat a bit and share stories with local folks.

我的天呀，我真希望我早知道我房东给我配置的锅碗瓢盆不适合我的橱房。一先几个星期在上海，我用我丈夫的瑞士小刀切肠。 直到我把我的手指头切了一大刀，我才到Ikea去采购橱房用品。但是我和房东的误解是因语言不通造成的，这也是我的最大的挑战。

我从2006年 到后在一直学中文。当我刚到时，我只能说‘你好’这一句话。不能沟通和听不懂别人在讲什么十分痛苦。我听上去象个鹦鹉（你好，你好，你好）。要是来之前的六个月能学点中文的话会相当有用。

现在我还可以。我可以和到我公寓来修东西的工人交流，打电话订酒店， 和服务员聊天等等。我还是不流利，但我可以沟通。能和当地人聊天和分享时事，这使我在上海的日子过的有意思多了。

US-C Information: Was there any organization that helped you when you first arrived in Shanghai?

中美信息：当你刚到上海时，有任何组织帮助你了吗？

Bair O’Keeffe: The American Women’s Club offers a “newcomer” program. I participated in this, but didn’t have the greatest experience. After a few weeks, I bagged it and set about making connections in other ways—finding a writing group, attending literary readings, etc.

Finding my tribe took a lot of gumption and perseverance, but after a while, I found myself with a terrific group of friends and a growing understanding of the Chinese culture.

美中妇女俱乐部提供‘新来者’系列。我参加了，但没觉的很有帮助。几个星期后，我离开了，想法找其它方试交流，比如找个写作部，参加文学会等。

US-C Information: What misconceptions do Americans have about living and working in China?

中没信息：美国人对在中国居住和工作有什么成见？

Bair O’Keeffe: A lot of Americans still think of China as a third world country, but much of it is very far from that. Shanghai is quite modern with fancy restaurants, high fashion, thriving shopping districts, a growing middle class, and a burgeoning creative community. On the street where my apartment is, there are at least three high-end boutiques where I can have dresses made, three or four art galleries, a French wine bar, a hip café, and lots more.

许多美国人还认为中国是第三世界，但这已不切实际了。上海已是一个拥有很多高级餐馆，高级时装商场，活跃的购货中心，不断增长的中产阶层和创新社区。

US-C Information: What misconceptions about Chinese do many Americans have?

中美信息：美国人对中国人的误解是什么？

Bair O’Keeffe: Many Americans also perceive China as a totally Communist/Socialist country. While it’s true that it has a centralized government that imposes restraints upon its citizens with which we Americans are not comfortable, it is a capitalistic nation. The success of the Chinese economy in the last decade is proof of this.

很多美国人认为中国全是共产主义／社会主义的国家。实际是中央政俯控制其公民， 对美国人来讲觉的很不自然，但这是一个资本主义的国家。中国前十年的经济成功是其证明。

US-C Information: What’s surprised you most about living in China?

中美信息：在中国使你最吃惊的是什么？

Bair O’Keeffe: I get surprised all the time (yes, even now, after two years in Shanghai), but one of the bigger surprises I made was how important food is here. Everything in China revolves around eating and preparing food. When people meet, they don’t say hello like we do back in the U.S. Instead they ask, “Have you eaten yet?” People are always explaining to me the different benefits of various foods—white mushrooms, onions, etc. This is good for this; that is good for that. It’s wonderful. Everyone connects over meals.

I was also surprised to learn that fireworks (giant, loud ones) are such a significant part of the Chinese New Year celebration. The way I understand it, fireworks were traditionally used during the holiday to scare away bad spirits. I guess that’s still the case because this year, the fireworks started at about 6:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and continued almost nonstop until about 3:00 a.m. And I’m not talking about poppers or sparklers. I’m talking about the biggest, boomingest fireworks you’ve ever seen in your life. And there’s not just one set going off; there are dozens and dozens of sets going off all over the city. It’s wonderful and absolutely crazy at the same time.

我总有惊讶，（是的， 即使现在，在上海住了两年后），我最惊讶的是吃饭的重要性。中国各地都围绕着吃饭和做饭。当人门相遇时，不象在美国你好的问候，人门问‘你吃饭没有？’。人们总是给我解释各种饭菜的益处， 比如白蘑菇， 洋葱等。这对这好， 那对那好。这到是很好，大家在饭桌上沟通。

我也惊奇的学知鞭炮是（又大又响）中国新年庆祝的重要成份。我所知的是鞭炮是用来驱邪的。我想这还是没变。因为今年的鞭炮在除夕六点钟开始响， 一直到早上三点钟才停。我不仅是说蹦的和出闪光的， 我是说你从没见过的最大的， 最响的鞭炮。我不仅是说一串，我是说一打， 一打的同时放。真是美妙，同时也象疯了似的。

US-C Information: How does the cost of living in China [in this case, Shanghai] compare to the U.S.?

中美信息：中国的消费［这指在上海］和美国比如何？

Bair O’Keeffe: If I eat local food, it’s fairly cheap. But because I eat a lot of Western food and go to a lot of Western restaurants, it’s much more costly. The imported foods in grocery stores are outrageously expensive. If I buy a box of cereal that costs $4.00 in the U.S., I pay about $9.00 for it here…sometimes more, depending on the cereal.

My husband and I try to eat at our favorite Chinese restaurants as often as possible—both because we love the food and because we don’t have to carve a hole in our wallets to pay for a meal.

如我吃当地的饭菜，是相当便谊。但因为我去西餐馆吃很多西餐， 这就很贵。商场的进口食品十分昂贵。如我买一盒草米，在美国是四美金，我在这儿大概付九美金。有时还更多，看你买什么洋的草米。

我和我丈夫尽量在我们喜欢的中国餐馆吃。一是我们喜欢那儿的饭菜，二是我们不需要掏空钱包来付一顿饭的钱。

US-C Information: Is public transportation easy to use?

中美信息：公共交通方便吗？

Bair O’Keeffe: The subway system in Shanghai is great. It’s clean, safe, and well organized. Thankfully all signs are in English as well as Chinese. I avoid it during the weekday rush hours—way too many people crushed up against each other—but often use it during the weekends. I have a metro card that I charge up and I can use it for all kinds of transportation in Shanghai, including the metro, taxis, and buses. (I think—though I haven’t tried—I can even pay my utility bills with it.)

I’ve never ridden a bus in Shanghai. I’m sure I could figure them out at this stage if I wanted or needed to, but they’re always packed.

上海的地铁十分方便。地铁很干净和有顺续。谢天谢地，所有的标记中英都有。我不在上下班的时候坐地铁，那时人们互相挤的厉害，但我周末坐的多。我有一张地铁卡，我可以先付钱买卡，然后我能用它来付地铁，出租和公共汽车。（虽然我没这么用过，但我觉得我可以用它来付水电费。）

我还没有乘过公共汽车。如需要的话，我现在肯定能学会坐车。公共汽车总是很挤。

[For more information about Kristin and her blog Shanghai Adventures of a Trailing Spouse, 如想得知更多有关Kristin和她blog的信息，请按click here.]

"Shanghai Adventures. . ."

Nice coincidence: last week, our local paper ran a wonderful article by Kristin Bair O’Keeffe, a Pittsburgh native who, 2 years ago, moved to Shanghai with her husband and is now chronicling her experiences in the blog Shanghai Adventures of a Trailing Spouse. Kristin's recent article included descriptions of. . .
-Chinese seniors waltzing outdoors to music from a boom box;
-Shanghai’s impressive Oriental Pearl Tower--and how residents in some of the older sections of the city still use chamber pots at night because buildings lack indoor plumbing; and
-riding down the highway in a taxi driving--backwards! (See blog for details.)

Kristin’s “Shanghai Adventures. . .,” can be viewed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or on her website.

We thought you’d like to know about this delightful, personal look at contemporary Chinese culture.

上海探险记

巧事： 上星期我们地方报刊登载了Kristin Bair O'Keeffe写的美好期刊。她出生在匹磁堡，两年前和她丈夫移居到上海。她现在在‘一个随同妻子的探险记’中连续报道她的亲身经历。Kristin的近版的期刊包括以下的细节：

－中国老人用收录机在室外跳华尔恣舞；
－上海的令人檠佩的东方珍珠塔，解释因为老房子缺少管道设备，有些老区居民晚上还用麻桶。
－乘坐的出租车在高速公路上倒行。（细节请看blog）

Kristin的‘上海探险记......‘可在匹磁堡Post-Gazette的报刊上看道或在她的blog上看道。

我们觉得您会想了解这对现今中国有趣的个人观擦。