One thing that really bugs me about Chinese culture: Nowism. It’s when you find out important things like meeting times, vacation days and canceled classes right as they are happening.
As frustrating as it is, nowism is an inescapable phenomenon that happens to everyone here, including myself.
Exhibit A: I came to teach my first class at 8:35 today, only to find that another teacher had taken over. When she saw me in the hallway, waiting to begin class, she stepped out to talk to me.
“Class started at 8:10 today,” she said.
“What?!” I asked incredulously.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you?”
I later found out that the school follows a slightly altered schedule once the winter season begins. Since the temperatures are now cooler, the students can’t do their morning exercises outside until later. Hence, first period begins at 8:10 instead of 8:40.
Wish I had known that before I showed up to class 30 minutes late.
Exhibit B: On three separate occasions, I showed up to empty classrooms.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you? All the children are sick, so they are at home today.”
Exhibit C: Sometimes I come back to my English office, only to find that the doors are locked and the other teachers gone. These days are known as Meeting Days.
Once, not knowing that it was a Meeting Day, I left my purse, wallet and cell phone in the office and figured I’d just go back and grab them at the end of the school day. Not having a key, I had to go to the Dean’s Office and find out where the other teachers were so that I could unlock the door and take my things.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you? The other English teachers are at a meeting off campus. It might take a few hours for you to get in.”
Now, I bring my purse with me to all my classes.
Bridget O'Donnell is a designer for