I forget to describe the usual life here and what it feels like to live in Shanghai...here's a brief description of life here:
Right now I'm living in one of the nicer dorms here on campus. Chinese service extends a gracious hand to making sure international students are well-pampered during their stay abroad. We have nice warm beds, an air conditioner (that can also act as a heater), nice showers with full time hot water, and a clean** bathroom (I'll return to this in a minute). Provided in the room is a tv, a hot water thermos (hot water tap is in the bathroom because you can't drink the water), desk with western outlets (my american plugs work!),etc....In comparison is the Chinese students dormitory, which has a less comfortable bed, slightly less space, no air conditioning unit, and no full-time service shower. Instead, at night, I often see groups of girls in their bathrobes and towels walking back from the showers (located outside and around their dorm) carrying their shampoo, etc. The hot water is timed, and the showers are of lesser quality. I'd also like to mention that this is one of the top three universities in Shanghai. So when the girls on my floor decide to smoke it up in the bathroom and leave their cigarette ashes everywhere (the sink, toilet, and on top of the toilet paper dispenser) - I have to roll my eyes. Not only this, but some people think it's okay to cook their meals (which is fine by me) and then leave the food remains in the sink or on the counter - which inevitably leaves at least 3 of the 6 sinks clogged EVERYDAY. Not to mention the toilets, which are clogged at least 4 or 5 times a day, both by people who can't take care of their #2s or by understanding that toilet systems in China DO NOT SUPPORT throwing away toilet paper. It clogs the system, and don't tell me you don't know because it is CLEARLY marked on every single door. You are just lazy and rude. Furthermore, it's not the Chinese way to go up to floor and ask for a meeting about proper bathroom etiquette, but instead accuse the person who happens to be in the bathroom at the time the maids are cleaning up the mess (3 times a day). On some days, this is my roommate, and on some days it is me.
These things can be helped. Toilet paper can be thrown in the waste basket located right next to the toilet, cigarettes can be smoked out on each corridor's balcony, food can be thrown away in the trash (instead of down the drain), and if a mess is made, it usually takes 1 minute to clean up. That way, when I want to brush my teeth or wash my face in the morning, I don't have look at a clogged sink of previous food scraps and food spittle staring back at me. Not pleasant, folks. And it hurts to know that these people don't understand how spoiled we are for being in this dorm in the first place. All I can really do, though, is just roll my eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment