Strange Things I Notice So Far

World Cup opening, I am staying home watching TV and updating my blog. This is my coffee table but I work, eat, read on it.

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1. Every Chinese phrase in public area has English translation, not the English that English native could understand but the HanYu spelling. For example, 洗手間 would become Xi Shou Jian, which means washroom. I really don't understand what those English letters are for.

2. Strange decoration in hotels and office buildings' lobby area. For example, in my client's office building, there is a fountain with a huge marble ball rolling in the middle. The ball is so huge (radius is almost 2 feet) and I still couldn't figure out how they keep the ball rolling on top of a small crust with the tiny amount of water coming out of the crust. Anyhow, I think it is really an eye sore. Less is more is definitely not true in Beijing.

3. News stand plays a high-pitch, not pleasant woman voice, hurriedly and repeatedly saying "Xinhua Newspaper, XXX Newspaper, YYY Newspaper...". Is it necessary to tell the passbys what newspapers you have? If it is, would it be nice to use some pleasant voice and make she speak it slowly?

4. A talking bus. Of course, the bus itself doesn't talk. There are always 1 or 2 managers go with a bus, they collect tickets and talk. They don't only talk to the passengers but use the loud speaker talking to the pedestrains or drivers around the bus "Be careful, be careful, the bus is approaching the stop. Watch out, watch out, the bus is leaving the station". Their voices sound exhausted, tired and I-do-it-only-because-I-have-to.

5. The door of Lady's room is alwasy wide open (oh, there is door to each stall, thank god). It is quite embarrassing for me to use the toilet while the corridor is so quiet and I think every one in the office across the hall can hear the sound I make. That doesn't seem to bother other girls.

6. I have met girls in the lady's at work place, bringing with them some newspaper or files or magazine. I thought doing number 2 is something really private and personal. You don't want to do it in the public toilet, not even to broadcast it by bringing with you a magazine to the toilet.

To Be Continued.... (as I discover more)