Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

During the years of 2000 to about 2008, we were privileged to have visiting a number of young Chinese professionals visiting and studying at the University of Houston, and also in emersion English language training, as well as regular evening classes with families of our church to give all an idea of actual family life and what living in the U.S. was like, rather than the warped view as seen on television and movies.

We would regularly have group dinners to allow these young professionals associate with several families on a regular business. At one of these meetings I was talking to a small group of Chinese. I had conversations with other groups and learned they had a similar view of Charles Darwin and his theory of Evolution as I did. For some reason, I said, “Well, in the United States, it is not accepted to joke about Darwin’s theory, but we could about the government. It was just the reverse in China!” Well, from their faces, I would have assumed they, or at least this group did not joke about anything!

Well, I must have struck a nerve with some of the Communist “watchers” because they did not seem to be willing to joke about Darwin, or anything else. It was almost as if I had insulted their mothers, or some other revered topic. It was the only time I can remember that I had put my foot in my mouth. If nothing else, jokes are not easily translated among different languages.

It could have been that, or perhaps they thought I was trying to trap them in some sly word game, and they were not willing to participate in any such repartee. It was the only time that I had any communications problem with any group of Chinese.

On another occasion, I had scheduled an evening lecture on the U.S. securities and stock market in the evening at their residence for any that wished to attend. There were perhaps 10 to 12 men and one or two women who attended. I was casually dressed, wearing a very red button-down casual shirt. For some reason, as an offhand remark I said something like I understood that red was a sign of good fortune in China. Instantly, a guy in the group said, “Big Man, Big Fortune!” which got a good laugh. Just Sayin…RJS

Sitn Loc: Osyka, MS.

I have understood over the years that some folks from other countries view things different that we do. You have to watch what you say because you can offend them. Their words can mean something different than what ours do. I had a friend that was Japanese. Talking to her was hard because What I said might be offense to her. Her husband, a fellow I grew up with, said something to her one day. She calmed up and wouldn’t talk to him for a long time. After a while he got her to tell him what was wrong. It was nothing we were used to but to her it was bad.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Sitn: I know what you mean. In one of the groups, Kevin, was one assigned to us. One night when I was taking him back to his apartment he wasn't acting normal. I asked what was his problem. At first he wouldnt say.

Then he finally explained his wife, Bonnie was pregnant with their second child and if her company learned about it they would force her to have an abortion, or termination. He explained they were were going to have her come to the states, have the baby here, and then return and let the child live with relatives under cover. But the arrangement fell through and they were just going to put her in an apartment and live alone until the baby came.

I told him that wasn't a good plan here in Houston, and why didn't he allow Bonnie live with us. We had a second bedroom and bath not being used and would be glad to have her. At first he was reluctant, but finally said, "Why would you do this, we wouldn't do it for you?" I told him never worry about that, we were willing, so that's what they did.

Bonnie would have meals with us and often cook them. She said once, "When Bob, you talk to me, I understand, When Jean talks to me, I understand, but when Bob and Jean talk, I do not understand! You must talk in Shorthand! When Baby Caroline was born, she was a little doll! We didn't want her to go back to China!

Caroline is now six years old and in school. She tells her classmates she is not Chinese, she is American. I told Kevin to tell Caroline she is Texan, the best kind of American! Just Sayin...RJS

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

When our daughter was in Junior High in 2000, (she was 13 years old) she was fortunate enough to be chosen to go to Japan as part of a “Sister Cities” exchange program. It was an awesome opportunity for her, as well as very educational for both her and us. She came home with a lot more understanding of their customs, as well as several very nice gifts.
As the “exchange” part of this program, we got to host two girls from Japan for about a week, which were about the same age as our daughter. Oddly enough, the thing that impressed them the most about our home was the size of our “garden”. They said “your garden is so huge.” We didn’t know what they meant..... we don’t have a garden!! We finally figured out they were talking about our YARD. We have 5 1/2 acres, and had quite a laugh.
When it came time for them to go back to Japan, we were trying to think of a nice gift for them to take back home with them. It was then that we learned one of their customs that our daughter had picked up somehow. She told us to just be sure it isn’t TOO NICE. We asked why not, and she said because they have an old custom;
If they give you a thank you gift for having them in your home, it is VERY OFFENSIVE if you give them a nicer gift in return.
Just a couple interesting things we learned in one week.
The last thing we learned was how much they like our country. By the time we got to KCI to send them off, they were both crying so hard, they could barely speak. They wanted to stay here because “it’s so much nicer and prettier here than our country”.
It made us realize just how lucky we really are.

DoryMan Loc: Southern Maine

We hosted a girl from Taiwan, if I recall correctly, about the same age as our daughters when they were in college. Very interesting. I think most Americans tend to be jingoistic and isolationist, both historicaly, and paticularly now. It would do this country a great good if a great many more families would involve themselves in exchange student programs. There is so much to be gained.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

A friend of mine lives on the coast in Northern California. He and his Wife hosted a college-aged girl from Italy. They were determined to really show her the country, so they put together a big road trip. Down through the redwood forest. "This is very nice", but not knocked over. Took her to Disneyland (of course), then over to Las Vegas. "This is very nice" again, but nothing seemed to really impress her. Finally on the drive back they crossed Nevada on highway 50, known as the loneliest road in America. They were concerned that endless miles and miles of NOTHING would be a let-down for her, but she was VERY impressed! She kept saying "I've NEVER seen ANYTHING like THIS before!!!!