2008 Woodie Awards
Chinese Logic
Five lessons to learn from Hong Kong.
Cora Hardin
Issue date: 3/17/06 Section: Life & Times
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Five random facts I've learned in Hong Kong:
1. Short is not short. I was taught that, in particular, because every professor around here adding 'just a short note' will continue to hold a lecture that is, at the very least, another one and a half hours long. I suppose it's all relative.
2. Presentations need not be stiff. I have never laughed so hard during student presentations, and I am not only talking about obvious glitches in language like statements revolving around the Christian infatuation with 'bile', i.e. the Bible. Rather, I have been surprised and impressed by the attitude of both the students and the teachers that, hey, I'm not out in the working world yet, so why not forget about that suit, make a power point quite devoid of important information, and crack a few jokes, at least until the classroom pays attention. Not a bad practice, really, and yet miles apart from what I've been taught at Rollins so far. Naturally, the presentations at Rollins are much more professional, but, really, what good is that if the entire classroom is asleep? What fun is it if there is no direct response amounting to: "No, I disagree."?
3. The top of the escalator is a splendid space to stop and admire the view, clean underneath your fingernails or engage in a minute of daydreaming. No, honestly, even after over two months in Hong Kong, I have yet to grasp this logic. There are literally hundreds of people squeezing onto the escalators. You'd think they were handing out money for free or the like, given that enthusiasm and vigor to get on. I suppose after all the pushing and shoving, the people realize -Ah, yes, I have done my work for the day-, thus freezing up and standing still after being pushed off at the top. I really would not care about their temporary mental holiday from their bodies, were it not for the fact that they refuse to step aside before they leave. Attempting to get off behind such a person, without shoving aside the old man with the cane right next to you, and without feeling someones elbows in your back a second later, is truly close to an Olympic discipline. I have yet to master it. Watch for me in the next round.
1. Short is not short. I was taught that, in particular, because every professor around here adding 'just a short note' will continue to hold a lecture that is, at the very least, another one and a half hours long. I suppose it's all relative.
2. Presentations need not be stiff. I have never laughed so hard during student presentations, and I am not only talking about obvious glitches in language like statements revolving around the Christian infatuation with 'bile', i.e. the Bible. Rather, I have been surprised and impressed by the attitude of both the students and the teachers that, hey, I'm not out in the working world yet, so why not forget about that suit, make a power point quite devoid of important information, and crack a few jokes, at least until the classroom pays attention. Not a bad practice, really, and yet miles apart from what I've been taught at Rollins so far. Naturally, the presentations at Rollins are much more professional, but, really, what good is that if the entire classroom is asleep? What fun is it if there is no direct response amounting to: "No, I disagree."?
3. The top of the escalator is a splendid space to stop and admire the view, clean underneath your fingernails or engage in a minute of daydreaming. No, honestly, even after over two months in Hong Kong, I have yet to grasp this logic. There are literally hundreds of people squeezing onto the escalators. You'd think they were handing out money for free or the like, given that enthusiasm and vigor to get on. I suppose after all the pushing and shoving, the people realize -Ah, yes, I have done my work for the day-, thus freezing up and standing still after being pushed off at the top. I really would not care about their temporary mental holiday from their bodies, were it not for the fact that they refuse to step aside before they leave. Attempting to get off behind such a person, without shoving aside the old man with the cane right next to you, and without feeling someones elbows in your back a second later, is truly close to an Olympic discipline. I have yet to master it. Watch for me in the next round.