Well, Fall is here and that means cold and flu season. As people sneeze all over the place in Shanghai, I come to a realization that there is no equivalent Chinese expression for "God Bless You". No "Gesunheit", no "Cheers" or "Salute". Nothing. People don't even look at you. I found this to be very disturbing. I've always been told to say "God Bless You" after someone sneezes. In fact, I don't think I can stop myself from saying it. It's become instinctive and impulsive, who am I the Pope? How did this come to be? Why do we say it and the Chinese don't? Well, I did some investigation and found that those expressions were a result of the black plague in Europe. Apparently, a sneeze was the first sign that you were getting the plague and you know what that meant. So we say "God Bless You" or "Gesunheit", which means good health.
Okay, so my driver, a nice guy but not the most hygienic guy in the world, is constantly sneezing. Of course, he doesn't cover his mouth when he sneezes, which produce a lovely spray of bodily fluids. An aurora Borealis, if you will, of snot, spit, bits of food and whatever else is in someone's mouth. Of course, this happens in the car so I have no escape. Being a nice guy, he rolls down the window so the sneeze can escape. Instead, air rockets this spray to the back of the car, blanketing me in a cocoon of germs, not to mention the most vial smell I've ever had the misfortune to ingest. I wonder if he notices that I am not breathing or better yet, trying to breath through by shirt sleeve. Luckily, he is facing the other way and can't see me, I think?There are definitely cultural differences here in China. Spitting is acceptable, small children peeing and pooping on the street, no problem. Picking their nose with the most determination if ever seen is okay. Burping, farting and a bunch of other disgusting noises all seems acceptable. So it gives me the dry heaves every once in a while but, I'm getting used to it. My fear is that when I return to the US after my expat assignment, I will be doing the same things, nah.
