Its Not My Fault

I'm smoking like a chimney in December. Hell I'm smoking right now (sorry mom). But it’s not my fault.

Honestly.

I've been an on again off again smoker since ~1993. I remember vividly choking down Marlboro Reds at a picnic table during forklift training when in the Navy. A desire to fit in (stupid I know) and an (ir)rationalization that this would deepen my voice. Wow, I can't believe what a fool I was.

Oh well.

Since my daughter was born I've been more of an off again smoker than on but I don't mind having a smoke now and again. With that in mind, I accepted a cigarette from one of my Chinese hosts.

Bad move.

Since then, I have been marked as a smoker and am provided not the occasional cigarette like I had intended but rather whole packs! When with any representatives of my company's Chinese suppliers I can't even reach into my pocket to get one of my own. Worse still, I am bombarded with offers of cigarettes at every corner. I don't even have to rely on my own addiction to demand satisfaction as I have a bevy of supporters in this habit. And smoking is permitted everywhere except on airplanes. I'll bet you can even smoke in a hospital.

The nice thing about smoking (for all you non-smokers) is the social aspect of the ritual. Even if you don't speak the language, the request for or offer of a smoke is universal. Now caught up in this pact of self destruction you are inclined to make some conversation and when smoking you really are unable to do much else. This forces one to be relaxed and to find ways to enjoy the moment.

The downside is emphysema and/or cancer. Great.

Never the less I continue to smoke while in China. But this is an excellent example for my general experiences here. I recently had the bed in my hotel room changed. Not the sheets, the bed. What had been a box spring with what felt like an Army blanket for padding is now a firm but plush bed of very high quality.

This was done to my delight but not to my request. This is special treatment for a guest that is spending a significant time at their hotel. Not required but much appreciated.

In an effort to make me more comfortable during my stay here in China my business hosts have gone out of their way to take me on field trips on my day off. I never lunch alone. I've always got a little Chinese type snack available. I've been afforded the use of an office at both locations. And after I got sick I was assured in all sincerity that I could call them for assistance at any hour.

This Sunday I am invited to a birthday party at my friend Lucky's house. His mother in law is having a birthday and I am to be an honored guest. So while my previous posts may have had something of a negative tone I am having a good time of my stay.

China is still a strange place but I'm surviving.