What been keep me from
writing blogs for the last couple of weeks prior to November 2nd was some
events affected me profoundly. Here is the story:
Before the election, the
subject on who will become the next president of the United States was so hotly
debated. Not on the news but in the Bars, restaurants, and homes here in expat
community of Shanghai, half the world away from the US soil, it feels strange,
especially when they are not even Americans.
I was in a restaurant
one-night having dinner and talking politic with a Canadian friend happen to be
away from his homeland for almost 10 years, took on active interests in
politics other than his own countries. While our conversation became very
interesting, and the voice were raised after I broke my own rule of never talk
politics with alcohol. A lady shown up
at the table and handed me her calling card. Being gentlemen I stood up and
accept the card. She explains that she and her friend had been ear dropping on
our conversation all night, and found it very interesting; a moment later she
invited herself and her friend to sit down on our table while we are still
eating dinner. Imagine that happening in the US. When inquired of her
profession, she proudly announced that she is a lady of the night. Silent…
The other time a friend from
Switzerland accuse the political system of my country is not a democracy
because we, in reality, only have two major political parties, and no one else
can get in to run for president because they were blocked. I told him to check
his facts again. Anyone that were born citizen of the United states can run for
the high office, granted if they can generate enough interests, and votes to
get them qualify to be on the ballot. If there were not enough votes, rules
will not bent because we wish another party could enter the race. That was
another wild night in a Japanese restaurant over sake.
It seems to me because of my
passion for politic, to my friends I am a challenge, they love to get me
involve in conversations on politics. Unfortunately I lost some of my passion
due to lack of facts and information. I am not up to date with information to
defense any argument.
It gets more interesting, not
only the gangs north of our border gang up on me for over a month, the Chinese
nationals as well. I am not sure if these girls actually knew what they are
talking about, or if they been studying the issue and platform. Perhaps they
just love to be cheerleaders. I really do not wanted to know.
My chat box on my mobile was
full every day from morning till night even if I ignored them it was non stop.
I finally had to turn it off. It started to look like pure harassment. It keeps
blinking all hours of the day and the night. The worst was on Election Day and
after. My email message was all over loaded.
I save it all as evidence
just in case I need to verify the facts on this blog. No exaggerations.
I do not see that kind of
passion in American bars, the American seems don’t care. The French don’t care
either. And the Brits and the Australian and so forth no one really cares, but
the Canadian and the Chinese, they went crazy with it. Why. Please help me to
understand, their life is too boring here?
First, the Canadian get no
votes on who will be our next presidents. So why they care so much, especially
those had no plan to return home ever. Their argument is that because US get
involve with every one else’s business so they are concern. Hello, “You are in
China.” What does that matter what happen to your home that you have not plans
to return to? What do you think?
Secondly. If any policy of
the US affected China, they are not residence here, nothing is going to happen
to them anyway, unlike most of us Americans, we would be pack on the governments
expense, escort to the airport in a flash. That is why it is smart to register
with the embassy while living aboard. You do not want to be left behind
sweeping the sidewalk if your name is not on the evacuation list.
On the other hand, the Chinese
Nationals, why is it matter who became the president of the United States? It
does not concern any of them anyway. They can even vote on their own premier?
Enough said. I am back, if I get though the blockage.
Chance Encounter Shanghai
