US Presential election in Shanghai

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