The Pecking Order On China Buses. And The Laowai Shall Lead Us.
Great post up on the China Machete blog on a Beijing bus ride the blogger took involving an elderly couple who made known their preference to take over the seat in which the blogger's wife was sitting. The article is entitled, "An eventful bus ride" and it makes for an interesting ground level assessment of age in China and where foreigners (Laowai) fit in that pecking order. It is well worth a read.
Comments (7)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endchriswaugh_bj - October 15, 2007 5:45 AM
No, sorry. I remember reading that post a while ago and thinking that China Machete was just whingeing. There was nothing to suggest his wife was being unnnecessarily targeted because of her association with a foreigner, and plenty to suggest he should've been a man and stood up to allow the old couple their seats. Same rules apply- no, stricter rules apply in New Zealand where I grew up.
T Lamb - October 15, 2007 8:28 AM
Yeah, I've got to agree with Chris; there is plenty in China to be annoyed about but giving up your seat to the elderly is just plain good manners - not just China but most countries.
nanheyangrouchuan - October 15, 2007 8:45 AM
As many young Chinese DON'T get up for elderly people anymore, even if the elderly person stands in front of them for a moment, it is not surprising that they went for a foreigner. It also wouldn't be surprising that if this foreigner's wife or the foreigner had not gotten up, all of the other chinese riders would have yelled at them for not using proper politeness, despite the fact that NONE of them were intending to give up their seats.
And people wonder why I scold bad China.
Ben - October 15, 2007 1:16 PM
If an elderly person is obnoxious about wanting a younger person to get up from his/her seat, does that mean the elderly person is not entitled to the seat? No, it just means the elderly person is passive/aggressive.
I would suggest that if the author of the post does not want to play the politics of seating on a Beijing bus, that he avoid the commotion and take a taxi.
astrid - October 16, 2007 6:32 AM
If the wife was ill, then she should take a taxi or stay home instead. Unlike most of the Chinese on that bus, she could afford to quarantine herself from the public and she should have done so.
As for opening seats up for the elderly, unless it's one of those seats reserved for the elderly and pregnant women, it's a matter of personal preference. I, for one, would certainly be less likely to give up my seat after a public display of passive-aggressiveness. But then, that might be why I don't live in China anymore and take taxis when I am there.
R Mitchell - October 16, 2007 1:23 PM
China is a High Context culture, meaning that communication is highly indirect, unlike here in the US or other European countries (Germany being the lowest). In China, reading between the lines is common and knowing other's heiarchy in society (cultural) is essential. The wife complained that she would have given up her seat if asked. This method and thinking works well in the US (post 60's Black Boycott Era). However, this a flawed thought process in a Chinese environment. You will often find in China that elaborate or silent getstures replace verbal communication.
Perhaps the wife could have apologized to the elder woman for not being able to give up her seat as she was very sick. I am sure the elder woman would have been filled with glee that yes, elderly women are still respected in society (as in most places around the world).
I wonder if this is the couple's first time ever being the "Minority" amongst a general population.
Pffefer - October 16, 2007 1:39 PM
nh, how many young Americans give up their seats for senior citizens? I didn't see that many.