10-10-10

We could not have a blog about China and not have a post for today. I am sure this was not big news many other places, but today was considered a good luck day here. So much so, that government registries were kept open extra hours this week to accommodate all of the couples seeking to be wed this day.
On our way back from our hike this morning we witnessed a stream of cars driving past, all decked out with bows, streamers and hearts from a wedding that took place locally. We are so removed from the day to day lives of the people who are from here, it felt great to witness a big life/social event even though we had no connection to it. It felt so familiar, it took me back a bit. We have been so focused on what is different and unfamiliar most of the time, that it was great to witness something that was the exact same thing we would at home.
Shekou is pretty small, and like any place, we are starting to recognize people and they are starting to recognize us. I was in two shops today, and the proprietor remarked "You live here" as much a statement as a question. They see me walk or ride by each day on my way to work and pass by when we are out shopping.
I think this marked the beginning of a new stage in our living here. There is a strange kind of acceptance you feel when folks notice you like that. At first, we were noticed because we were western, and as such, an easy mark. Everyone had a deal for you or scam for you. Things are a bit different now.
When you shop in most stores here, you are generally expected to haggle for the price. The shopkeeper will have two starting points, one for Chinese, and one for weiguoren (foreigner literally "people outside"). You can guess which is higher. The negotiations are now starting much lower (but I am sure not as low as prices for Chinese) and so it is more difficult to decide where to stop. If you fire back a price that is too low, the game is off and there will be no discussion. It is almost like a trust thing, if the shopkeeper starts close to the real price, they are showing a sort of trust. If you go too low, you signal there is no trust and the bargaining is over or they won't come down on price very much. It seems to make things a bit more tricky.
Of course you still have to keep your eyes open...
I don't have a pic from today, but here is one of the Hong Kong skyline, taken from our hotel room last weekend.