Earlier today I left Beijing for Xinjiang Province in
Western China – mostly so I could get a more thorough
taste of a very different culture over here.
But I did not go quietly and part of what I’m telling you
is fair warning for anyone who travels in China. At first
sight what you hear may sound a bit harsh – but tis the
way you have to deal with “some” people over here.
First, when I was making my way down the corridor, pulling
my carry-on luggage, a man approached and asked, “How
soon is your flight, sir.”
“None of your business,” I replied.
He walked away.
A few minutes later another lurker called out to me, “Sir, may
I see your ticket.”
I kept walking.
“Sir, may I see your ticket,” he repeated, more emphatically.
“I’m with him,” I replied with a thumb motion – and kept walking.
The man I was pointing to is my brother-in-law, who travels with
me everywhere I go and has taught me most of what I know about
Chinese culture.
Funny, but when I pointed him out to the lurker he didn’t need to
see MY ticket anymore – and NEVER needed to see my brother-in-
law’s ticket. Wonder why, do you.
Cuz he’s a thief of some sort.
Later on I’m putting my computer bag through security. I carry two
lap tops with me when I travel and once both had cleared the x-ray
a lady working there grabbed my bag and moved it.
This alone created some steam -but then, when I grabbed my lap
tops to insert them back into my bag, she grabbed hold of the bag
and pulled it open to “help” me out.
“Bu yao mo wo de dongxi. Wo bu shi xiaohar,” I said. “Do not touch
my stuff. I’m not a child.”
My brother-in-law seconded my comments and she walked away.
Now, truth is the lady, unlike the two creeps encountered earlier,
probably had no intention of stealing anything. She was merely
doing a Chinese cultural thing of treating foreigners like they don’t
have the ability to wipe without assistance – or just being plain nosy
and boundary-less.
Key thing is you have to be extra attentive to anyone touching your
stuff in China. Other than bell hops and room service in 5-star hotels –
or family – I won’t let anyone lay a finger on my bags or belongings.
To do so would be incredibly naive. What’s even more amazing is
that this lady worked the security line for business and first-class.
Maybe it was her first day on the job. Hopefully she’s a fast learner,
if that’s the case. But I can’t imagine too many other people would
like their computer bag opened wide by a stranger -for any number
of reasons. This is where you draw the line and recognize that some
“help” is not help – neither is it welcome.
Good news is this Fure-cat calmed his jets while flying to Xinjiang.
Got into a nice, meditative reverie and realized, “Hey, I got another
good one to warn people about if they have plans to travel to China.”
Yes, it’s a great country. It will be hard, per usual, to return back to the
States – but the three people at the airport today did make it easier.
I’m down to my last two weeks here this summer – and other than today’s
deviation, I’m having a blast.
In fact, I’ve released 7 new products that will ship to you in August. Be
sure to nab them NOW while the pre-production special is still in full
force. It won’t last much longer, so be sure you fly yourself to
http://www.mattfurey.com/cosmic_blast_off.html and get yourself
something really good.
Rise UP,
Matthew Furey
P.S. Also, this October I’m having my Zero Resistance Internet Marketing
Seminar in Tampa. Be sure to attend and learn how you can live in two
countries, or more, and run your business with nothing more than a
lap top and a cell phone – http://www.knockoutmarketing.com/life_change.html