Post 8

Hessler focuses on certain aspects of the women in China that he finds interesting and important to understanding their role in China’s society. Hessler first begins with a comparison between Chinese men and women and how they parade their wealth. Chinese men tend to show it in very flashy ways. Women do show it with accessories but less bluntly. He also identifies Chinese men with money more than with women.  Women to him are more identified with loneliness or an unfulfilled life.

He also compares Chinese men and women with how they react toward him. With men they try to impress their friends with yelling out “Waiguoren!” or “Ha-looo!” During certain routines Hessler would rather interact with women than men. “If I went shopping and saw two people selling the same thing, I invariably went to the woman first, because there was a much lower chance that she would cheat me or mock me (279).” However, he still keeps a distance from the Chinese woman, making sure he doesn't start up a serious relationship with one of the many Chinese women he works with or sees on a regular basis.

For me this didn't seem like to much of a shock. Women tend to understand the feelings of being an outsider more than men who have constantly been part of groups or communities over the centuries. If women do one wrong thing they are quickly turned into an outsider such as divorce or cheating on their husband.

Mimi Zycherman

Blog #8

responding to 275-300

Please summarize the points Hessler is making about women in China in this section.  Then respond to what he's saying in terms of your gut reaction (thoughts and feelings) and your more considered analysis of what he's saying.

On page 275 Hessler states that "Fuling women were far more likely than men to feel isolated and frustrated." He goes on to say that money was a male quality and that men controlled most of the money in Fuling. Woman had accessories that showed they were from the upper class but these accessories were not as materialistic as what the men wore. When it came to jobs men had a greater chance of getting one than women did. My gut reaction to what Hessler is saying is that men came first and women came second in Fuling’s society. Men were considered a hierarchy than women and had the upper hand in every day-to-day living. This can possibly explain Hessler’s observation when he said, "Fuling women were far more likely than men to feel isolated and frustrated" because the men created boundaries for the women and by doing so they made women feel isolated and frustrated. 

Blog #8

Please summarize the points Hessler is making about women in China in this section.  Then respond to what he's saying in terms of your gut reaction (thoughts and feelings) and your more considered analysis of what he's saying. (275p-300p)

When reading this section, I learned that Fuling women were far more likely than men to feel isolated and frustrated. Women were not known to make the money. Men were associated with men and style and class. Money was a male quality in Fuling. Fuling women were always wearing accessories that showed they were from the upper class. Men had more opportunities than women when it came to work. Women were always somewhat mysterious and foreign, but they were always uniquitous in certain jobs, such as "waitresses, shop assistants, and train attendents..." There was also something Fuling people spoke of which was, san pei xiaojie, meaning "three-with girls". Men would drink with them and doing karaoke, and then dance with them. And if the man paid enough money, sometimes the "three-with girls" would perform the "with." Meaning they would sleep with the man. Love affairs were very common. A man would usually be the one searching for the woman to have the affair with. People said that when women had affairs, they were stealing that man. Fuling woman lived under economic pressures and complicated expectations. 

responding to 275-300

Please summarize the points Hessler is making about women in China in this section.  Then respond to what he's saying in terms of your gut reaction (thoughts and feelings) and your more considered analysis of what he's saying. 

I hope Id be able to post sometime during the break or sooner.
In river town I really appreciate the different type of culture surrounding the book. I think its great how hes not only learning about the different background he is now surrounded by but also learning about himself while all this is happening. Its very introspective.

I hope to add more of my blog post soon

Rivertown is an in depth look into the culture and customs of China from the perspective through 2 American teachers. I will upload my earlier blogposts ASAP.