Cool to be American again

By Patrick Whiteley (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-10 16:05

The opportunity to make new friends from all over the world is one good reason why I enjoy expat life in China and one of my favorite bunches of people are the Americans.

They are funny, positive, argumentative, big-talking, ridiculous, clever, stupid, self-centered, extreme, kind, thoughtful, very enthusiastic and always entertaining.

I'm talking from an Aussie point of view, but my European expat friends, and even my US buddies, are quick to agree with my sweeping generalizations.

Americans are the biggest expat group here in the Middle Kingdom, and love them or hate them, we all know at least one.

This group of extraordinary people has made such a major impact on world affairs, but in the grand scheme of history (I'm thinking of Egyptians, Persians, Chinese, Greeks, Romans, Turks, European powers and the rest) they are still only youngsters making their mark.

Over the past 40 years, some of their ventures, especially in Asia and the Middle East, have not been popular and my American expat friends cop a rebuke or two when mixing with the rest of us China expats. These folks are an easy target.

America is the big man on campus, as college students would say. Others call them the school bully. But America has always been a nation trying to better itself and a high point in its evolution happened last week.

When the second United States president John Adams moved into the still unfinished White House more than 200 years ago, African-American slaves were still putting the plaster on the walls of his Washington office. This year an African-American will be following Adam's footsteps.

He has become the rejuvenating sunlight needed to heal a racially divided nation.

My American mate, Robert, who lives in Beijing, says his country is a nation of extremes. "We have the very worst and very best things in the world," he admits.

It is a land of opportunity, but there is so much poverty and inequality. It is a land that prides itself on its liberty, but has a history of horrific crimes and a disturbing gun obsession.

Many of its citizens hold strong spiritual beliefs - the US dollar notes even bears the slogan: "In God we trust" - but its social currency has a bleak history of racial divide and hatred.

Barack Obama's victory signals monumental change, which will especially affect US expats living in China.

The young, dynamic and inspirational new leader has made it cool to be American again.

Robert has lived in China for more than six years, speaks brilliant Mandarin, owns an apartment, has a long-term Chinese girlfriend and has more non-English speaking Chinese friends than expat buddies.

He's a local and is part of the Chinese community. He told me that his Chinese relationships are very special to him because not a word of English has been used.

His Chinese friends love him and I know why.

Robert is funny, positive, argumentative, a big-talker, ridiculous, clever, stupid, self-centered, extreme, kind, thoughtful, very enthusiastic and always entertaining.

Expat life in China is filled with frustrating and fun adventures and my favorite encounters always involve people, no matter what race or nationality.

This week I tip my hat to my American buddies and say with all sincerity - God bless America.

(China Daily 11/10/2008 page7)