Weird Habits

I'm sitting here on my last day of work with nothing to do so I've had a lot of time to think. This has been an amazing experience with both good and bad points. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to come to Taiwan. I've met so many wonderful people here and I've even learned a little Chinese.

But I'm not ready to write my good-bye article quite yet. As I've been thinking, I realized there are some habits I have now that might seem a little out of place once I get back to the good ole' U. S. of A. I'm just going to apologize for my actions or words ahead of time. It might seem strange to you but to me some of these things have become a way of life.

1. When I'm ordering food and the person asks "For here or to go," I will most likely say "Wai Dai" meaning to go in Mandarin. Sorry, it's a conditioned response at this point.

2. Be patient with me as I check for Western toilets in public restrooms because here there are two choices when you go to the bathroom.

3. When I say "dui (dway)", I'm saying "Okay" just nod your head and smile.

4. Don't fall asleep while I'm speaking. I've gotten used to speaking slowly here. It doesn't mean I think you're stupid. It means I've been teaching English to non-native speakers for a year. Never fear, the rate will pick up after a few weeks at home.

5. If you get a call from my phone number but the person sounds Canadian, it's just me. I've been around a lot of Canadians the last year and I've been told I have the accent. Some of my students have even said that I speak Chinese with a Canadian accent...go figure. Just give it time. Either you will adjust or the accent will disappear.

6. My vocabulary has diminished so just be patient with me as I stumble to find the right words sometimes. It will all come back to me soon enough.

7. I speak Chinglish now. If you don't understand what I just told you simply say "Please translate" and I'll understand.

8. Don't be surprised if I walk out the door and don't grab my car keys. I've been walking or riding a subway everywhere for nearly a year. I'm actually afraid I forgot how to drive. I guess we'll see very soon.

9. The cost of living here is very low. I just might burst into tears when I hear my first total at Wal-Mart and they won't be tears of joy. Like my friend Sarni says "Like poop, this too shall pass."

10. If you can't find me, look anywhere that people might speak Mandarin. I'm going to have moments when I miss hearing that language.

11. Don't be surprised, if I get overwhelmed in public places. I have just spent the last year not being able to understand what people around me are saying. Hearing English all around me is going to be information overload at times.

12. If it's 60 degrees and I'm wearing a parka, gloves, scarf and hat, just smile and look the other way when you laugh at me.

13. I'm apologizing now for all the times I will start eating before everyone at the table is served. That is the way in Taiwan. You don't wait until everyone has their food. You eat as soon as your food is set in front of you.

14. Okay...I carry my own chopsticks and I'm not afraid to use them. Again...just look the other way when you start laughing at me.

15. I have the habit of posing for any camera within 20 yards of me. This is a photo crazy country and I've become accustomed to random strangers asking for my photo. I'll break the habit soon enough.

16. Another photo habit...I carry a camera with me everywhere. Everyone does here. You never know when a Kodak moment might arise. This is a habit I don't want to break.

Well, that's all I can think of right now. I'm sure when you see me again in America you will notice other little idiosyncrasies, as you should. I'd be concerned if I lived half-way around the world for a year and didn't change at all. This was meant to be a life-changing experience. I'll never regret my time spent here.

That being said returning home won't be so easy for me. I've already read and heard from friends who have traveled that the reverse culture shock can be worse than the initial culture shock. I didn't really experience horrible culture shock after arriving in Taiwan. I think that's because I did everything I could to make sure I was prepared. I'm trying to do the same in this case but I still will have my moments. Just be patient with me while I go have a good cry. I'm returning to a lot of uncertainty. Once the dust settles and I get back into a routine, I'll be just fine (just with some new personality quirks).