Reflections by Robert Capps

America > Museums > Theatre > Pinyin > Traditions > Tea > Mountains > Rain > Music > Performance > Shopping > Professionalism > Appalachia > Gifts > Communication > Experience > Workshop > Design > Wayfinding > Airplanes > Cities > Friends > Signs > Powerful > Collaboration > Languages > Relationships

Traditional tales say that when different types of sand are mixed together you will never be able to separate them. This saying struck home with my heart; as I say goodbye, I realize that a group of students have changed how I view myself. The bond created in such a short amount of time became unique and solid like compressing sand to create glass; a glass that would become a view port into the inner workings of the soul. As I reflect, this whole journey starts because I need a credit hour to complete the schedule requirements for graduation. I never thought that this experience would change how I view things in design and in relationships, but shortly after sitting in an airport waiting on the students to arrive, I combined sands with a new culture and ideas. These experiences range from my views for design techniques to “hiking the mall” and ending with some tea.

Model Building Techniques

How does one begin to create? This is the question that heads all problems. Until this point, I look at design in a linear type of fashion and design to meet a certain criteria in school. This at first seems very normal because the chance to develop ideas through different majors does not exist in architecture school. The chance to collaborate and plan with different graphic design styles, painters, sculpture, and book makers brought to life a new way of thinking. This really became a topic of interest while touring the Art and Architecture building, the students thought it was weird that the building is separated down the center and the chance to mingle is limited. Why do we have such competitiveness between one another, and can we begin to work together through design?

When I sat down with the students I realize that they have already began to research pathways and major locations within the city of Knoxville. Now at a disadvantage, I began to learn what the students want to get out of this project. I notice that the story boards were very accurate and unique in the mapping and design style to look like a museum; this concept both visually and diagrammatically displays the keep components of the route. Zhang Xiao Ying, a freshman, designed this diagram and was very clear in how she prepared the path through Google Earth. Next, we talk about the symbols and design elements for the project that would act as signage for the pathway. Zhang Yunru develops a series of symbols starting with a simple square. This series became the driving factor for our “Wayfinding” project. The students told me that the symbols were derived from the Chinese translation of Tennessee, pronounced Tian Na Xi. The word Tian is a square split into fours which represents agriculture and farming. They felt that this is a major component of Tennessee.

Now, we began to examine the major sites on the path and found symbols that could represent each area. The last component of the design was the sign itself. This is when we really began to collaborate as a group. We each built a paper model and altering every design to be unique to the designer. Once everyone was done we all decide on the one design to pursue. I was learning through the process that the Chinese culture is very, ornamental and elaborate, focusing on every detail. This opens up the design to a patterning idea where Sun Jing Yi, Zhang Yunru, and Ma Jia Huan began to base a patterning system off of the symbols for the path. This also shows a new scale of the design being on a personal level as well as city level. During this time, I was working on a map with Lui Xiao Chang and Hu Chen Yun. I was showing them how the architecture majors set up presentation layouts. This would also lead into the designing of the model. The whole group builds a model that would represent the signage in a way that is realistic, and shows the collaboration between the U.S. and China.

Now at this time, I am thinking we are done and we must present in few hours! I began to walk around when I notice Zhang Xiao Ying building these paper diagrams that Sun Jing Yi was helping her put together for the presentation. These items were small and throughout the whole week I did not realize what they were until now. The paper diagrams were unique and very interesting because they describe, in a simple way, the whole project. Zhang Yunru was putting together a PowerPoint presentation and the other students were working together; insuring that the project was being completed. I have never seen group work like this. Each member was helping meet a deadline and the only thought was the project not the individual. To me this was remarkable because teamwork in the U.S. is so individualized and separated that the project becomes a book of parts rather than a unique piece of art. It was in those closing hours and minutes that they showed me the most. They did not want to see me fail, and their professionalism rose above and beyond what I could have ever wished.

Hiking the Tanger Outlet Mall

Sunday, the optional day, is a day I will never forget. The idea was to go hiking up to the top of Clingmans Dome. This experience was going to be a unique one for me because I have never been there either, and the chance to share the view with students that appreciate beauty, was exciting. Instead, the view would end up as a rainy day, but the detour would prove to be an interesting journey through the language barrier and shopping skills.

During the trip up the mountain I began to ask questions to Lui Xiao Chang and the instructor Yung Diyu about different sentences and slang that they use back in China. It was this experience, that made me learn how to speak some Chinese and understand how to pronounce the different sounds in the Chinese dialect. I learned phrases such as; iowachu, which is slang for “oh my god”. This phrase would become a huge inside joke with me and all the students.

It was about halfway to the top of the mountain when we stopped at the visitor center and I received my first taste of their shopping habits. At this point, I did not know that the price difference was so huge between the U.S. and China. Apparently, America’s prices are cheap on certain items and their enthusiasm to buy stuff was at full force. One instance stuck with me the most when a student, not in my group, was trying on items and wearing it around the store. I began to notice a manager following her around and watching everything she was doing. When I approached the manager she told me that the young lady has not paid for the items. So I had to explain to the young lady about the policies in the store and realized that the culture must be very trustworthy. Trustworthy, because of the way all of them proceed to do the same thing in every store later on.

After all the rain and a long drive through the mountain, the group decided to head into Gatlinburg and go to the Tanger Outlet Mall. This is probably the craziest experience of the whole week. The students and instructors were so delighted to go shopping that we literally spent 5 hours at the mall. The amount of items would shock a normal American and the money that was spent literally closed down registers. I would walk around to different stores watching the students and making sure everything was going okay due to the visitor center experience. One aspect that I struggled with was how they disregarded other people or rather trusted them enough to put their bags down and wonder off to shop. I was constantly reminding them to pick up their bags and never leave them unattended.
I would finally end the shopping experience by buying items for each one of my group members. I remember Lui and Ma love basketball and are big fans of the Miami Heat. So I bought each one a hat from Lids and then decided to purchase all the females in the group charms or earrings. I realize that this would cost me a lot of money, but nothing could equal the friendships and experience that they would show me. I also knew they love to give gifts and this would be one way for me to show my thanks to them for all they have done.

Chinese Tea!

One of the most rewarding experiences gained was in the traditional tea drinking. In America, especially the south, sweet tea is a normal everyday drink that is enjoyed at all times of the day, all day. I have never liked warm tea, because I never gave it a chance, and to try it with a group was extremely different. I was told it was a tradition to drink the tea and that the preparation was one of specialty. The tea was given to me by a young man named Meng who we all called Mengmeng.

It was late a night around 10:30 when I got my first experience with tea. Meng told me that there are three different types of tea. The types were green, red, and black. I told him I want to start with the green because that is one I have heard of before in stores. The process of tea was interesting; Meng had this whole set where you warm the water in this coffee pot looking thing. This was a very important aspect of the tea, and the most time consuming, because we have to wait for it to reach a certain temperature. After the water was warm enough he opens this package and pours the items inside a glass container. The leaves look as they were dried and preserved, but then when the water hit them they would swell up into the size of a normal leaves. He also would dump out the first serving of the tea. He said this called washing the tea. After he would wash the tea, we were able to drink the next serving. Then as you drink the tea the water starts the process over again, and we wait on it to reach temperature.

There were many students that came in and participated in the tradition. This was a great experience for me, and made me feel like they enjoyed my company. My group especially was present and I always enjoyed their company. Through the whole process we learned so much about one another. It was this time of storytelling and reflecting on the difference in cultures that we became really close. We watched videos of their school and talked about their majors, and learned jokes from one another. It felt as if we had been friends for a long time. This opportunity also allowed us to exchange contact information and found ways to keep in touch with each other when they left. I remember not wanting to leave them because I knew it would be a long time before I ever see them again. It was two in the morning and I had to be at work at eight, this is when I decided to say goodbye. I walked to the elevator and they all followed me down and walked me to my car. I remember hugging each one of them, and felt heartbroken that I could not spend the next week with them. I felt like I let my group down and became teary eyed. It was at this moment I said stuttering, “I have to go before I cry”. I drove away knowing that the connections I made were real and the events that follow would only bloom to form a spirited connection that no one will ever take away.

Conclusion

The end of this journey is really the beginning of a life time.

Reflections by Jennifer Nguyen

I knew little of what was in store for me when I signed up for this workshop. In fact, I had trouble explaining to people what the class was about. A lot of “uh’s” and “maybe’s” with a question mark were given as my answers. I may have been perceived as uncertain and lost about this class, but one thing I was quite sure of: I could not contain my excitement. Three hours into the first day of class, I knew without a doubt that the name “U+B Workshop” was much of an understatement. It was more than the University of Tennessee and Beijing School of Graphic Design coming together to collaborate on a Wayfinding project. It was bigger than a workshop. It was bigger than any space 35 people can take up. It was an experience, a reward, a happiness that was conjured up by the seemingly magical presence of talented minds and overflow of abundant love. I remember Professor David Matthews stating the beautiful harmony the Chinese create everyday amongst each other – that our individual identities were there to merge with another and to expand upon the idea of cultural interaction.

Two weeks later, I have come to realize David Matthews was spot on when he said that. I was transformed.

Workshop Together

My group was kind and light as a deer prancing on snow. They fluttered to me with gifts. Every day they embraced what I had to say. Listening intently with hands in laps and backs sitting up straight, they could have just sat in a stool rather than a chair with a back and still be just fine. I remember Catherine listening with pursed lips and open ears. Her eyes following mine: sometimes they fell onto the drawing in front of us, other times they fell on each other. Her gestures and expressions were gentle. Her frowns were subtle and her questions were anxious. I remember a language barrier that existed. But with a language barrier came a choir of delight every now and then as a sign of understanding proceeding after confusion. This singing was louder and stronger than any barrier, thus soon all was forgotten because of the universal language we shared: drawing. We drew and we erased. We laughed at the Cotton Baby and we adored it. We pushed for a fine presentation and we pulled through it. I could not have imagined a better outcome. With differences came obstacles but with perseverance came patience, and no clearer harmony could have been sung the way it did through the experiences we danced along together.

Travel Together

The time the Beijing students were there, we travelled Knoxville. I remembered driving Kitty, Kate, Catherine, Lily and Lindsey in my car. It was a sunny day with brilliance shining through the whitest of clouds. Both my sunroof and moonroof were open. I remember silently shuffling for questions to ask in my head while flipping through the radio, adjusting the volume for the ear every now and then. I noticed Lily first. Sitting in the passenger seat, she had her head leaned back, slightly tilted towards the window and out beneath the frame. I grinned. I looked in my rear view mirror, surprisingly all three heads were doing the same: looking up in fascination. I asked excitedly, “What’s your favorite part of Knoxville?” They answered in sync, “The blue sky”, eyes still gazing above them. I was truly surprised and at loss for words. Even several minutes afterwards, I could not help but to throw glances back there at them with interest and wonderment. I always took the blue sky for granted, I guess. Even on rainy days, I just knew the blue sky would come back shortly, sometimes even with a rainbow. But Lindsey told me in Beijing, the sky is always gray, thick with pollution. Even when the sun shines, the sky never turned blue, but only a lighter gray. Their land was lit like ours but their sky never reflected the same color. At that moment, I felt instantly inspired and grateful. This feeling I felt lasted for the rest of the night because it was that night that I was reminded once again the little things that can make anyone happy in a matter of seconds.

Thanks to the ear
That someone may hear
Thanks to the seeing
That someone may see
Thanks to the feeling
That someone may feel
Thanks to touch
That one may be touched
Thanks to the flowering of white moon
And spreading shawl of black light
Holding villages and cities together.

-James Berry

Dinner Together

Dinner rolled around every evening of course, but on the night of the 17th, dinner became extra special. The Beijing students cooked for us. We went grocery shopping together at Sunrise Market and it was then that our cultural experiences really began to intertwine in a totally brand new way for me. Through food we bonded. Curiosity exposed itself and my “uh’s” and “maybe’s” became “ooooh’s” and “aaaah’s”. I was fascinated with how quickly they were able to pull the 9 delicious dishes together. With two woks and a stove, they made the room of just air transform into a room of heavenly meals. There were soup, noodles, rice, mushroom, vegetables, beef, fish, and many, many more! For the longest time, new dishes could not stop making it to the table. I remember thinking right then and there that with the people I was with, all the room really needed was a kitchen and a dining table and I’m sure everyone would be more than happy to call it our home. Amongst the sizzling of the ingredients being thrown into the burning wok and the happy chattering of friends exchanging compliments, I remember wanting to just stand aside and observe quietly. I wanted to remember. I wanted to secure the feeling of warmth I had with friends I have only known for a week. I wanted it to be permanent and I wanted it to be forever. In a small room crowded with friends so amazing, I could only wish for the space to be tighter and for us to be closer; for it was that night, in my eyes, that our different identities became of one harmony.

Stories by Paige Jessop

Model Making in Progress

After the Knoxville Way finding project is introduced to the group we are given instructions to split up and form teams. Each team was to have at least one University of Tennessee student and the remaining partners were the Graphic Communication design students from Beijing. I was assigned Team 2 along with Hayden, a fellow Architecture student at UT.

Our five teammates from Beijing Institute of Graphic Design were; Shang Wuji, Samantha (Zhao Zhao), G, Marujang, and Danielle. They proved to be competent in all aspects, patient, and creative. The first real day of our charette Hayden and I were debriefed by our team on what we realized was an on-going three week project underway. They had already considered major design aspects such as the concept, historical background of Knoxville, and the site context of World's Fair Park area downtown. The major design contributor, G, came up with multiple signage schematics for us to discuss. Hayden and I felt that this was a project they had put a lot of creative thought into, therefore we felt unworthy of much input, regardless of continuous encouragement to give feedback. We took up with one design and began to produce. Hayden focused on watercolor and photography and I assumed the position of model maker.

I helped to create several mock up study models of street signs, benches and interactive public art pieces to be installed at our site. They were comprised of simple materials on hand such as armature wire, laminated chip board bases, Strathmore scale figures, and sponge-shaved texture. I realized the major difference in our design background instantly as we began to collaborate on the models. As an architecture student, I sought after certain aspects such as scale, precise cuts and incisions created with a straight edge, conservative use of color, and uniformity throughout the set of models (to name a few). My partners, on the other hand, cared little of uniformity and clean edges. They pushed the creative envelope, designing conceptual models of different scale and importance. Zhao Zhao even created an abstract scale figure of a swaddling baby made of a ball of wire and a piece of candy for a head. Once, while I was gone, Wuij finished up drawing the scales on the chipboard bases to the rest of the models with no concept of what the numbers meant below the ticks. I almost had a conniption. All the scales reflected a 1" : 1' ratio, including the conceptual topographic model of the greater area of Knoxville. Needless to say, one night I re-cut and formatted appropriate bases for our four models.
The point of the matter is, though I was able to contribute to the project consistently, our friends from Beijing proved time and time again to have a rapid and creative design style difficult to keep up with. They were almost too proficient at their task; it was like trying to help my mother with gardening. She is fully capable of finishing alone, only that she wants me to feel useful to her, she allows me to continue in my endeavor.

Post-Presentation Adventures

Presentation began around 2 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. There was a full panel of critics and even a few friends from the college showed up. I was fascinated by every team's project and the amount of work presented given the timeframe. Some of the observations our friends from Beijing expressed about Knoxville and the University made my heart melt. Chris, from another team, said during presentation that he 'fell in love with Knoxville from the sky,' meaning that even before landing, Knoxville had made an impression on him looking down from miles above. The presentations were particularly touching because these observations reinforced the meaning behind way finding, uncovering the beauty and opportunity a city one adventure at a time.

After the presentation, students were splitting up by destination. Many went to the local oriental market to collect supplies for the celebration dinner. I stayed with the remainder of the group, Chris and Ga Ga, who opted for one last adventure Knoxville had to offer; UT Gardens and The Farmer's market. Professor Robinson gave us a lift to the Agriculture Campus from the Architecture building, and for that we were very thankful. Once there, we walked from booth to booth in the late afternoon sun. I explained the small community operative to them. We talked with many interesting characters emphatically selling goods at their booth. It caused Chris to say that all the people around here had the same kindness in conversation. I tried explaining to him the concept of "Southern Hospitality" but it was more difficult than I anticipated for fear of profiling.

Everything I explained was considered to be true and factual and taken very literally. For example, before leaving for the gardens I stated that I better go ahead and buy the citronella bar I had been eyeing. Ga Ga asked, "From the Soap Guy?" I realized then that my explanation, even my vernacular, had a direct effect on their perception and understanding of the given situation. I chuckled to myself thinking what I'd do if either of them approached the vendors with the names I was giving them. I could just imagine Ga Ga walking up to a booth and referring to the nice woman selling vegetables as "Tomato Lady."

Reflections by Hayden King

way finding

The first half of the UT+BIGC workshop focused on a way finding project for the city of Knoxville. The project was completed by several different groups, consisting of students from each school, and focused on numerous specific locations. My group was given the Knoxville Gallery of Art and the Sunsphere. The project was to develop a system of signs and public communication that would direct civilians to our sites.

The members of my group, group 3, included 4 students from BIGC and two from UT Knoxville. We began with a short overview and presentation from the BIGC students. They had been working on ideas and possible design schemes for several weeks. We took the information they had researched and the schemes they produced and used our knowledge of the city to further develop the ideas. The result was a systems of signs, maps, kiosks, and bus terminals that focused on the human interaction with the way finding elements and the use of each of the five senses.

The group worked very well together. Each of the team members contributed very different talents and skills appropriate to both the design of the project as well as the presentation. The Beijing students were very involved in every aspect. They wrote as much as they could in English, then had us revise their language usage.

They were also quick to speak and engage verbally, during the final presentation. It proved to be an overall success, that was received well by the jury.

Washington D.C.

The second week of the workshop was devoted to travel. We spent two nights in Washington D.C. and four nights in New York City. Although each city had memorable moments, the D.C. portion of the trip gave us a real look into how a different culture experiences another country. The first day in Washington consisted mostly of city tours and museum visits.

The students were all very interested in seeing the sites that they had become familiar with before the actual trip. Most every student had some form of camera or recording device. Photography was very popular among both the students and professors. They photographed every aspect that intrigued them. This included photographing themselves, others, animals, and the sites. Everyday events that we Americans may take for granted, such as a squirrel being fed, were very interesting to the Beijing students. This was common throughout much of our trip, and was unique to us.

The students did initially participate in the activities and planned events, and a select few attended most of the events. Many of the students began planning their own trips and outings. One of the more popular destinations seemed to be shopping.

The Chinese are big on gift giving, and most every student and faculty stocked up on American novelties to take home. The quantities and selected items were quite unusual to us, but further explained the differences of our cultures.

eating

Obviously, much of our time consisted of eating! We spent much of every day together for the two week period. Our meals during the first week mostly consisted of a wide variety of American cuisine. Although the Beijing students were quite familiar with our cuisine, it was still interesting to see them experience it first hand. The second half of the workshop, the travel, allowed us to experience a variety of cuisine from many different cultures.

The Beijing students loved the American cuisine. They loved the variety and availability of general staples and produce. They found simple things like salad and pasta with very basic ingredients best suited their pallets. They were also very knowledgeable of other international cuisine. Some, such as Thai and Vietnamese were very similar to the cuisine that they were used to. Others, such as Cuban was very different to them. Such bold and numerous flavors are not common to the Chinese diet.

The meal times not only allowed us to experience each others cultures through food, but also provided us with many hours of conversation. Much of what I learned about China and how their culture works in the city and rural areas, was during meal time. The time spent waiting on food, and the time spent just sitting at the table talking proved to be the biggest highlight of my whole experience. I learned new customs, a little bit of Mandarin, and made many good friends throughout the course of this Workshop!

Reflections by Dustin Durham

Process vs. Product

I would say that one of the most striking experiences I had with my new friends from Beijing occurred during the final stages of the wayfinding project. My group had assembled the PowerPoint the previous night and was finishing it up with me as the editor and effective publisher. I began to look through their slides. My jaw dropped. They had over seventy.

I tried explaining to them that this was far, far too many and that much of the slides could be combined together of simply eradicated totally. This simple (at least to me) process took almost thirty minutes to completely explain and persuade them to agree with. What I simply did not understand was the way the Chinese look at projects such as this. Whereas we look at the final, polished product as supreme, they view the creative process in this position. This is by far a huge cultural leap for me to try and grasp.

Other groups ran into the same issue, I found out later, when we tried explaining to them that all the jurors would care about was the final product. Process should be shown, but simply put, every single step along the way need not appear in the presentation. My group was adamant about showing every step, however, and said that it is what their professors expected of them. In the end, we compromised on some slides (of which they presented, as I had no clue how to even begin explaining them) and ended up with around 24: what I feel was a brief but thorough presentation. The process vs. product mentality was a cultural difference I never would have imagined. Now, however, I look at my creative processes in a far different light.

Western vs. Eastern Genetics

This was one of the more thought-provoking experiences of the week. It wasn’t one specific instance, as it occurred multiple times with multiple BIGC kids, but there are a few that stand out in my mind. One was at the Museum of Appalachia, one was in the classroom, and one was on the way to Remedy.  They were all equally funny and eye-opening.

While at the Museum of Appalachia, I was explaining to my group how my family has been in this area of the country (and specifically a 100 or so mile radius in southern West Virginia/western Virginia/eastern Kentucky) for over 300 years. This astounded them, though I’m fully aware their families have more than likely been in the same region(s) for thousands of years, but it was still neat to see the amazement on their faces. I think perhaps too many people think that Americans move so often and are so modern that no one here has a sense of their roots, that no one has a true sense of place. That would be my assumption. Either way, I took it on as a badge of honor to explain to the BIGC kids the history and culture of a region deeply entrenched in my personal history, which I love very much, which is far too often ridiculed and misunderstood. It also made me more interested to be on the other end, hearing of the cultures of the various parts of China.

The second and third things are directly connected to the first. The second one was one day in studio. I had brought in some old family photos (circa 1920 and before) of my great grandparents and other, older family members to show to my group. They were amazed at (a) how big my family was and that (b) I had documentation from so long ago. I will admit that seeing others in fascination over my family history only strengthened my pride towards the gift I’ve been given in such a well-documented family past, along with my resolve to document my life as best as I can for my descendents to see 50, 100, or 300+ years in the future.

The third experience was one of the funniest moments I experienced with my group. We were walking to the Old City, to Remedy Coffee, and Zhao Meng, the guy in my group who essentially became my closest friend during the experience, randomly asked me at one point, “Your father…he have beard like you?” I told him my Dad did, along with his dad, and along with most men in our family. I even tried explaining to him that at one point my grandpa had an Amish beard, which didn’t rightly get the idea across, so I ended up just pointing on my chest how long his beard was. After a few seconds of silence, one of the girls in our group who was particularly giggly looked at me and then looked at Zhao Meng and said, “He man. You woman…have nothing on face!” She then proceeded to giggle. I laughed so hard. It’s reassuring to me to be part of experiences like that, when friends make fun of other friends, because it humanizes people in a new light. Instead of being mysterious foreigners from a strange land, they become just like my friends and I. It was funny, but it was also a connection for me.

At the same time, my mind went off into a crazy rabbit hole of thought based upon one simple idea: genetics. When I realized that most of the Chinese guys had no facial hair, and when comparing that with a family like mine, which is as Appalachian and “mountain folk” in our looks as we can be, I was overcome with a grand thought: how amazing the human race is to have to ability to pass down the core of who we are physically from the inside out. To know that something as simple as facial hair (or a lack thereof) can inform you and others of where you’re from, and where your family line traces back to. It also reminded me that somewhere in the future, long after I am dead and gone, there just may be a boy or girl with my eyes, or my nose, or a little bit of both. This is true of everyone, whether in downtown Beijing or the hills of WV.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Mall

This was hands-down my favorite experience with the BIGC folk, because it was the biggest difference in cultural views I experienced, and it was a blast. It was the night before our presentation and my group desperately wanted to go to West Town Mall. I was regretfully willing to take them, as I am not the biggest fan of any suburban shopping mall, having worked there (at West Town) last fall and seeing the terrors of American Consumerism gone awry, but I obliged nonetheless because it is, indeed, a large aspect of American culture (love it or hate it) and I felt they should get to experience it. Also, they were nagging me like a bunch of children nag a Dad on a roadtrip to know, “Are we there yet?!”

As we were leaving Market Square, my group decided to inform several others that they were getting a special trip to the mall. Somehow the others in the various groups understood this as a direct invitation to ride in my car to the mall. By the time we got to the top of the Market Street garage where I had parked, I had gone from having four people attempting to get into my Saturn Vue to seven, including two of their professors! I very carefully (and somewhat illegally) crammed seven Chinese students and faculty into my car. I explained to them that, should they move too much and, should a cop see us, they may get to spend a night in an American prison.

Naturally they all laughed.

When we got to the mall I told them we would have about two hours there until everything closed, and we would meet back at my car at that point. Then the fun began. They raced into the mall like cockroaches when the lights turn on, like a group of 7th graders at Cedar Point. It was hilarious. They were genuinely happy to be there, which is something most Americans can’t say. Even when the prices were more than they expected and they couldn’t buy coach purses, they simply found something else they wanted, bought it, and were satisfied. It was the exact opposite of Americans during the holiday season. Or in life, in general.

To thank me for taking them, my group bought me $40 of Godiva chocolates. I explained to them I was there to show them around, and that it was my pleasure, but even in the midst of buying things for themselves and their families, they still had time to stop and thank me by buying me a gift. I will never forget how joyfully the Chinese people give gifts. It is something I hope to adopt in my own attitudes. I learned, maybe more than anything else that week, that I need to be more grateful. I live in a time and a place that my ancestors and many people today in other countries would give their lives for. My Chinese friends exuded thankfulness in everything. They had a quaint humility which made them some of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. If only the entire world could have that demeanor.