The "S" in China.

Spitting and staring are two events that are like breathing, well
almost! After a two-week stay in Nanchang, China, at least two gallons
of saliva were thrown from the lips of three Chinese people that played
a large part of the tour. In addition, no, it is not a sex thing; men
and women both spit and do so frequently. In the United States,
spitting is "more a man's thing" and very often is not considered a
polite way to present ones self. But in China, whoa boy do they
spit!
A man occasionally spitting on the street is not considered very
polite, but neither is it considered rude. In Nanchang, China, both men
and women spit - on buses, planes and on the street. Now, I did not see
any Chinese citizens spitting in stores; but in restaurants, the act of
regurgitating saliva was heard. A dinner hostess prepared meals in her
kitchen and while guests sat in the living room, not far away and not
out of hearing distance - spitting occurred and more then once. Where
was this saliva excreted, you had to wonder! Then you had to politely
sit down and consume the always-delicious food. And you never saw a
spittoon!
America is known for accepting immigrants. Americans are not known for
treating Asians rude or staring in disbelief at them. Well, in China -
an American is a foreigner and just like here, in the United States
foreigners often look a whole lot different. Americans have much
lighter skin, some have much lighter hair and eyes, but some Americans
are as thin as the Chinese population. During the two-week stay in
China, many China born friends were made and many excursions by foot
were made. Citizens of Nanchang appeared to be completely amazed and
stared at the white faced, blue-eyed handicapped foreigner in their
town. Wow!! Not only was there a foreigner present, but also "it" was a
female and she walked funny.
In a "western-style teachers dorm", in the "western-style bathroom,"
with the "toilet seat", was a bathtub with the absence of a shower
curtain! Just let the water fly on the floor, and this bathroom always
(at least for 2 weeks) had two inches, unhealthy inches of water on the
floor! Bathroom slippers had to be worn, just to urinate. This lack of
a shower curtain was due mostly because in China, showers are near or
next to the "squatty potty." Uuugghh, so unhealthy and definitely not a
"couples thing" to do!" So, the shower water could be used as a
"flushing" type of liquid.
Standing to urinate is not very difficult. Guys do it all the time,
Chinese, American, blue or green! However, "bathroom events" may indeed
be "culturally" learned events, a learned form of excretion. For this
American, the sitting position is a learned position! "Squatty potties"
are squatty potties because they definitely are not "sitting potties."
Chinese citizens, at least Chinese women really get into the squat
position for all types of body functions in restrooms and hey - what
about the disabled, white female with blue eyes that can not bend her
right knee to a 50 degree position?
"God Bless America, land that I love - swallow, blink, shower and
sit&;#8230;. beside her&;#8230;." Oh, what a fine visit the China
trip made, but man, was America so ever glad to be seen. The citizens
of the United States have no idea of how great we are; the United State
citizens have it so, incredibly good!