Chinese kindness

We are constantly amazed at the kindness shown to us every day by the people of China. Some examples:

Paul was looking for an Ace Bandage for me since I might have broken my toe on a chair the other day.  He was looking up one isle and down the other when 2 clerks walked up and asked (in Chinese only) if they could help him. Through some elaborate pantomiming on Paul’s part (there usually is no English spoken during these little displays. I would have loved to observe this as these are usually quite funny,) he was able to communicate that he needed the bandage. Immediately one of the clerks said they did not have any but then walked Paul to a store across the mall where there might be one. She did not have to do that but she did that because she felt is was something she could do to help us. Anyone ever walk you from Radio Shack to Sears in Ridgedale?

Paul and I were standing in the middle of the road – I had two bags of groceries and he had a large printer in a box and we were trying to catch a cab for a ride home to no avail. Suddenly a tall young Chinese man asked me if we were English teachers at the university and I replied yes.  As we talked for a moment he told us that he was completing his Master’s at Columbia University and was here for a couple of weeks. He then insisted that he drive us to our apartment. He would have carried our printer up to the 5^th floor if we would have allowed it. What a needed tender mercy! 

The other day Ann was on the new campus alone and her "multi" card did not work so she could not buy any lunch. As she stood debating on what she should do she spied a couple of smiling students walking her way. She asked if they spoke English and they replied that yes they did - they were English majors. (But were juniors which is the one group of students we do not teach and so she did not know them.) She asked them to help her with her card and they soon realized it was out of money. Since it was lunch and the appropriate office was closed they insisted she eat lunch with them. They bought her lunch and ate with her. And would not let her pay for anything!  What a nice thing to do - and not uncommon at all.

This happens to us regularly and we so appreciate it!  This country is full of kind, helpful people!