Mei dian

Well, today was mostly annoying. There was no electricity all day, for some unknown reason. Normally this wouldn't be such a big deal, but this is my last day off before LSAT Redux, and I had a long list of things I wanted to accomplish, all of them somehow related to electric appliances. So I waited and waited, and went into my office on campus to try to get some stuff done. Unfortunately, the Internet wasn't working there (again, reason unknown) and it was really cold, so my studying efforts were somewhat abbreviated. All these things--the feeling of inefficiency, the pre-test stress, the cold--made me really tense and irritated.

But there were one very redeeming moment on the day, which I'd like to share with you. As I was waiting for the city bus to take me into the office, I witnessed an event that is typical, is a bit extreme, of the way Chinese handle paying for things among themselves. Many a time I have seen people mock-fighting to pay the bill for dinner or some other service. Women will push and shove at each other, men will flair their arms around in an effort to make the waitress accept their money, and not their friends'. I don't think this ever leads to real fisticuffs, but I wouldn't be too surprised if it did. You see, it is an honor to be able to host someone, and paying the bill is part of the honor.

So this afternoon at the bus stop, a woman was assisting an elderly man onto the bus, but it was clear she was in a hurry to get away. As soon as he was up the stairs, she turned her back to run off. Just as she did, a pair of 10 RMB notes fluttered out the door onto the street, with a shout of "Ay!" from inside the bus. The woman saw the money and snatched them off the ground, and promptly threw them right back inside. Again, she tried to dash off, as if to say "There! YOU keep the money!" But the old guy was quicker than he looked, and in the mere seconds before the door closed, as the bus was already rolling downhill, the money flew back out onto the pavement. The woman had no choice but to take it, and shake her head in consternation. A few feet away, I burst out laughing. At this, she turned and our gaze met for a moment, and we both smiled.

And now, the lights are back on and I'm cozied up to my space heater. Things are good. Sorry to be off the radar for so long, but law school prep is sucking up all of my time. Next week should bring a return to a saner schedule, and more stories from the PRC.