Learning To Trust

The sun has been shining today and I decided to go and explore some more of Dianjun...When you look outside my bedroom window you can see lots of land with houses, the river, a pathway and many vegetables being grown...so today I took a country stroll along the pathway. I have not properly explored along this pathway yet and it turned out to be a much more intricate maze of countryside paths than I had expected. Meandering through the district on such a sunny day was pleasant and there was the usual shocked stares from the local farmers as I walked past. Things took an interesting turn as I walked back. At one of the houses two women said "hello" as I walked past. Very often I will say "hello" and keep walking as I hear this all day, but I stopped and asked them in Chinese if they spoke English...they laughed and said "No"...but wanted me to sit down with them anyway. They were very kind and offered me hot water, oranges and wanted me to eat with them whilst we talked the best we could :-) They had a two year old girl with them and the crowds gradually built until we had quite a lot of the neighbours also sitting down and joining us (about 10 people)...another young girl rushed to get her English picture and word book and I read it to the children as they practiced the words with me. I was there for hours and everytime I thought I should leave, they wanted me to stay longer...When I finally did actually have to go...they asked for me to return tomorrow :-) So friendly and hospitable. I experience it everywhere here in Yichang.
The thing I wanted to mention is that ...this can be difficult. I am having to learn to trust more than normal. I feel that in Australia it is so drummed into us that you can't trust people and that there is so much you should not do..."Don't talk to strangers, Don't accept anything from people you don't know, Don't do this, Don't do that,If you drink this or do this it will kill you" and that is just simple stuff...the list goes on forever. All of these things and much more are drummed into us from an early age...It is no wonder there is an epidemic of depression and anxiety in our society...
I obviously have some trust issues as I am often suspicious when people (that i don't know) are friendly...So what happens if you let down your barrier a little bit?? This is what I am having to learn...Loosen up a little, people are being very kind, accept their hospitality. I actually think in China that it is rude not to accept their hospitality, although they are very forgiving of foreigners and our lack of cultural knowledge about Chinese etiquette.
Yes...I understand that you must still have to call on your judgment every now and again...but generally I think that there is a lot more giving, sharing, caring, respect and love in China...especially between the families, I think there is a very noticeable difference.
Don't get me wrong. I love Australia, but sometimes I really think that the world can learn a lot from the Chinese people.


Even this ox/cow? seemed intrigued by the foreigner and watched me closely as I walked backward and forward on the small bridge...Of course me being me, I was having a good chat to him and I guess like most everyone else here, he also had no idea what I was saying :-)






This is one of the ladies who invited me to stay for the afternoon and chat

Oh and to round out today I went out for my second parent teacher meal :-) This time, not so uncomfortable as my first time... but I was flanked with support on either side of me, Nettie and a very sweet senior high student (who's name is also Sue) who spoke very good English. I guess a few months on, I am becoming more comfortable in these kind of situations...Lets face it, I am getting plenty of practice at eating at Chinese restaurants...I think my chopstick skills are not too bad now :-)I still need to get over my shyness and speak some Chinese....I know I can do it...so why don't I ???