中国朋友

So i've been complaining to my coworkers and cab drivers and anyone who will listen really that I'm finding it hard to make Chinese friends. Most Chinese my age are way too busy studying and probably working at a job to hang out with waiguoren. Jim and I decided to proactively search for Chinese friends and we made it further than the bus line before we found Alan. Alan is his English name because everyone uses English names at work because they are easier to remember than Chinese names. Alen and Shen3lin2 both mean friendly. How fitting. Apparently my Chinese name, 葛英, means charismatic or outgoing. Somehow I think I'm more charismatic in English. I appreciate how Chinese people think about the meaning of names.

Alan said many funny things last night. He kept trying to compliment me saying things like "You look like a flight attendant, you know flight attendants all come from the countryside because they're very tall." But they're too skinny because they have no money. You're not so skinny.

I think you are outstanding/excellent/magnificent. These words were some of Alan's favorites.

We took a bus to the bund and walked by the water and then over by the historial buildings. While walking on a bridge I asked Alan why there was this short Chinese guy with this tall beautiful tattooed woman. He said they must be in a gang. Chinese people really think tattoos mean you are in a gang. He said she was probably his mistress, not a prostitute. I asked isn't it weird for a guy to be with a taller women? According to Alan all Chinese men want tall women. It's a status symbol. I guess there's hope for me yet in China. After the mistress encounter, we made our way to the red light district. Prostitution isn't legal but it's very common. The signs say things like "relax and wash head." Hmm. Lots of girls sit on the couches inside with their legs spread apart. I really wanted to talk to them but chickened out.