On gift receiving

9/11/08

Lianyungang

The seventh morbid anniversary of the attacks went by un-announced, un-noticed, and generally un-appreciated here in Lianyungang. Ironically enough, I was receiving gifts on this date.

Yesterday was teacher’s day here in China. I received a text message on my China Mobile phone during class on Wednesday. It was from the foreign teachers’ coordinator in the Foreign Affairs office. A bright and cheerful, “Happy Teacher’s Day!” appeared on my mobile’s screen while I was in the middle of lecture. I paused to confirm this text with my students.

“Hey, is today teacher’s day?” I asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

“Well bully for me!”

The day went by without many other significant texts or events. I did get an unofficial walking tour of Lianyungang’s city center. One of my students (English name Richardson) volunteered his services in showing me the hidden gems of the city. These hard-to-find goldmines included a small grocery store that carried American brand-name products, such as Hershey’s Syrup and Heinz Tomato Ketchup. I was mildly amused by the stockpile of American goods; I was ecstatic upon discovering the cache of Tennessee whiskey, though. Sure enough, Jack Daniels “Old No. 7” was sitting atop one of the shelves, where it was collecting dust and just begging for some thirsty boozehound to take it home, not unlike a sad puppy in the pet shop window. Richardson would later lead me to a DVD shop in town where one can purchase extremely cheap and extremely illegal movies. Alas, the DVD shop was closed and I also passed on the opportunity to give the whiskey a good home, thinking it best to wait until I receive my first paycheck following the mid-autumn festival.

Speaking of the mid-autumn festival, wasn’t I describing some gifts I had just received? My students were kind enough to present me with a gift in appreciation of teacher’s day. You can see the lovely token in the picture there.

The coordinator of the Foreign Affairs office was also in the giving mood, and she supplied all the foreign teachers with “Moon Cakes” in honor of the mid-autumn festival. These “Moon Cakes” are a most valued and exquisite traditional gift during the festival. This is groovy, because I like my sweets just as much as the next man. And honestly, I prefer the treats much more to the other valued and exquisite traditional gift of the mid-autumn festival: stamps.