介绍:
Any expatriate who&`&s lived in China for more than a couple of years will admit that after a while, there are aspects of their lives, behavior-wise, that tend to be re-defined. In other words, they adopt a new deportment such that when they back to their hometowns it becomes conspicuously obvious how ‘Chinese-ised’ their outlook on life has become.
Be it being experts on some queer street food or just not minding other people, trading knife and fork for chopsticks or just doing whatever you want whenever without a care in the world.
These are habits that to an outsider may appear strange, but to us Laowai, this becomes our new found normal. Expat Fatima Jibril agrees, and sees this as a good thing actually.
Since she moved to China a few years ago, a lot has changed in Fatima’s life.
This Nigerian citizen, now based in Beijing, admits that she realizes how she has changed whenever she goes back home to visit her family.
“So the moment I go home and then my family informs me that somebody is here to see you and I’ll be like, for what? ” she says.
She notes that in Africa, it&`&s common for anyone to just drop by for a cup of tea, or for a random talk without any invite or giving you a simple head&`&s up first. Everyone&`&s home is considered everyone else&`&s. Your home belongs to the entirety of your family and friendship fraternity.
It’s uncommon for people to meet at restaurants to discuss issues or just catch up as the norm is, if you have something that warrants you to see someone for, you go straight to their house.
On the other hand, living in China, she sees how completely opposite things are here. i.e. People don&`&t go to other people&`&s home unless they have been invited.
5 years and counting, Fatima, reckons the middle Kingdom will continue to have an effect on her personal demeanor for as long as she is still here. And to her people back home, her message is just to get used to it.
Do you have any interesting stories as an Expat living in China? Get in touch with Nillah at nillahnyakoa@cri.com.cn to share and have your story featured on My China Story.
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