a there are a lot of things that happen to me in china but would certainly never happen in the us. one of those things is being called “strong”. the first time was last december. i was walking across the high school campus in guangzhou where i taught when a student in a gray scarf waved hello. i smiled and waved back, but then she stopped and called my name. “you’re so strong!” she smiled and pointed at what appeared to be my arm. i looked down at my arms. let’s get one thing clear: i’m a very skinny guy. once, while rehearsing for a high school talent show, i was told by the teacher in charge that i couldn’t participate in the men’s shirtless dance routine because my visible rig cage胸腔 would frighten the audience. “i’m so what?” “you’re so strong!” she repeated. “um, thanks!” i didn’t know what else to say, so we both waved goodbye.
