2008 – Year of the RAT!!
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is the Year of the Rat (Earth), which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. First in the cycle of 12 Animal signs, the Rat Year begins the sequence and recurs every 12th year. It is a time of renewal in so many ways. From New Year’s to Valentine’s Day, to the arrival of spring, may all the blessings and delights of the New Year be yours.
A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.
So, Happy New Year everyone – all the best for 2008!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the following: You know you have been in China for too long when…
1. The footprints on the toilet seat are your own. Yes, the Chinese prefer in-ground ‘squat’ toilets. If they find a ‘western-style’ toilet, they will stand on the lid. And, no, I don’t do this!
2. You no longer wait in line, but go immediately to the head of the queue. People always butt in, rather than wait their turn, and yes I do this sometimes too, otherwise you lose out. Sometimes it’s simply has to be ‘survival of the rudest’ here in such a heavily populated country. 3. You stop at the top or bottom of an escalator to plan your day. I can’t tell you how many times I have ploughed into someone who has literally ‘stopped’ right at the top of the escalator. Unfortunately, I have seen many drivers do the same thing… stopping in the middle of the road, whenever and wherever they wish, with no regard for others.
4. It becomes exciting to see if you can get on the elevator before anyone can get off. This is nothing new – I have seen this happen quite often back home. Subways are another good example of this behaviour.
5. You no longer wonder how someone who earns a measly US$ 400.00 per month can drive a Mercedes. The number of BMW and Mercedes drivers is definitely on the rise, and I have given up even trying to figure how such ownership can be possible.
6. You find that it saves time to stand and retrieve your hand luggage while the plane is on its final approach. It’s amazing how many people get up and start making preparations to leave the plane, before it has even landed!
7. You can shake your hands almost perfectly dry before wiping them on your trousers, or you have your suits made with terrycloth pockets. Note: Most washroom facilities do not supply hand towels or even toilet paper – be sure to carry your own!
8. You believe everything you read in the local newspaper. And, they do! Problem is, the Chinese government continues to ‘protect its citizens’, by blocking information on TV, Radio and the Internet!
9. You regard traffic signals, stop signs, and street peddlers with equal disdain. I swear the traffic problems wouldn’t be so bad if the police would enforce the rules. The pedestrians, electric bicycles and cyclists are the worst!
10. You have developed an uncontrollable urge to follow people carrying small flags. Ahh, yes, the Chinese Tour Groups can be easily identified by their flag-carrying tourguides. When I see those flags, I immediately head in the opposite direction to avoid being sucked into a large tour group with no visible means of escape!
11. When listening to the airplane pilot prove he cannot speak English, you no longer wonder if he can understand the air traffic controller. Pretty scary, huh?!12. You are not surprised when three men with a ladder show up to change a light bulb. Manual labour is really cheap here; in fact most supermarkets have 2-3 people working each and every aisle! Most just stand around ‘chatting’ with their friends! Customer service is still a novelty throughout most of China.
13. You spit on the restaurant floor (of course after making a loud ‘hacking’ noise). This is the one really bad habit that almost sends me racing for the airport some days.
carolh452003