Party: On
Yesterday one of my classes decided to have a party at a local hotel. Being their teacher, I was invited. Boy do the Chinese know how to party.
I met up with some of my students here on campus and we walked over to an adjacent university where the hotel is. Not everyone had shown up yet so we just sat and chatted. I was afforded the seat of honor-in the corner facing everyone-which was very kind of my students. They all seemed very excited to have their teachers (myself and two others) there to hang out with them. I was a bit wary at first as it was my first party of any sort here in China. I wasn’t really sure what was happening or what was going to happen. Then the food came, and kept coming. And the beer came too. Lots and lots of beer.
Before coming to China some people actually told me that the food was terrible. Others were curious about what I would eat because they had heard that the food in China is all “really weird”. Oh how wrong they are. In a word, Chinese food is awesome. Plate upon plate of food was brought to us. Each one in turn was scarfed down. As dishes became empty they were replaced with new ones bearing different food. We went through a very broad spectrum of different foods last night and it was great. I ate a chicken stomach for crying out loud. A chicken stomach. It’s not particularly appealing but it doesn’t taste bad or anything. Similar to liver, I guess. Think that’s bad? Last week I ate my first chicken leg and foot. Doesn’t taste like much, just kind of chewy.
I think the best part about the dinner had to be the fact that every one of my students wanted to have a drink with me. I did so many ganbeis last night I completely lost track. It seems like I had a toast with each individual student and plenty of group toasts. It was so much fun. The Chinese really do know how to party. And they certainly know how to show their guest a good time.
After dinner we headed upstairs for karaoke and dancing. The Chinese are all about karaoke for some reason. They love it like a crack fiend loves his fix. There are karaoke places all over the city. At least here in Xi’an, just look for the telltale ‘KTV’ sign that denotes a karaoke destination. You want get far before spotting one.
Fortunately I was able to get out of singing any songs. First of all I don’t know any Chinese songs and second I was able to convince them that they really do not want to hear me sing. No one wants to hear me sing. Ever. Just trust me. Also, because of my bum foot I was not able to dance. It takes a lot of alcohol, among other things, to get me to dance. While there was alcohol, I seriously doubt they had enough to get me out there and make a fool of myself.
So as the night continued on there was plenty of dancing and singing, and more beer of course. At one point we played some kind of volley ball game. Except the net was just a string. And we used a balloon, that we could only hit it with our heads. Definitely an awesome game to play once you’re good and toasted.
Unfortunately I had a lot of work to do the next day (today) so I had to leave somewhat early. Regardless, I had an awesome time and am really glad that I went to the party. Initially I was unsure about how to approach spending time with my students socially. In the US I think there is a definite social divide between teachers and students, but here it is totally cool I guess.
The Chinese really do know how to throw a great party.
About half my class and I. Can you guess which one is me?
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If only my Grade 1 students could do the same for me.
well, normally i’d say that youre the silly tallest one. but is that a chinese person *taller* than you?
you may have to give up the title of “the almighty tallest”
@Stevo: wouldn’t that be illegal? While it as an awesome feeling, I’m guessing you get a similar feeling whenever you get mobbed by your little students outside of class.
@Laura: no, he is not taller than me. He is actually pretty short. I think he is sitting on the window sill or something. My brother is taller than me, but not by much and he doesn’t live in China.
the chinese know how to get down. here in taiwan we went out with some locals and it was non stop food and drinks all night….it was tough day the next day
those mid-week excursions to the clubs never end well. There is inevitably some locals where ever you go that want to drink with the foreigners. Is it possible to say no to free booze?