tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post4056575857433137162..comments2018-03-08T05:07:58.660-08:00Comments on East versus Midwest: Neighborhood WatchdogsLaura Barnharthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07361859070644033727noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post-11841421260322653752011-02-15T20:19:46.865-08:002011-02-15T20:19:46.865-08:00This story made my heart glad with wonderful memor...This story made my heart glad with wonderful memories of my time in China. Your other accounts too, but this one in particular with it's photo reminded me of the Elder Chinese Gentlemen that sat in the Courtyard of the apartment we stayed at. They would always ask questions, and were always playing checkers. At first I didn't know what to think, but I came to look forward to seeing their smiling faces every morning and every evening. I indeed felt safe, and cared for. Thank you for sharing your wonderful stories!Robertnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post-8208940505405436392009-10-21T13:58:40.023-07:002009-10-21T13:58:40.023-07:00Thanks for the comment Jocelyn. They are quite en...Thanks for the comment Jocelyn. They are quite endearing. Where were you in China and when?Laura Barnharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07361859070644033727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post-75255954782818117132009-10-20T22:28:38.711-07:002009-10-20T22:28:38.711-07:00I love this post -- the picture reminds me of so m...I love this post -- the picture reminds me of so many neighborhood retirees I have remembered from China. But when I was living there, it was often the guy at the gate (门卫) who loved to ask me 20 questions about my life. And yes, quite often, he turned out to be helpful. ;-)Jocelynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05603856361011482192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post-45145721170787241722009-10-02T01:43:33.093-07:002009-10-02T01:43:33.093-07:00Hehe, thanks Jason!Hehe, thanks Jason!Laura Barnharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07361859070644033727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post-46316164699820092372009-10-01T08:08:03.053-07:002009-10-01T08:08:03.053-07:00In China, we call them “居委大妈", which can be t...In China, we call them “居委大妈", which can be translated into-instead of "Neighborhood watchdog"- "Grandmas of Neighborhood". When I lived in our old apartment, I used to have those Neighborhood Grandmas and very few of Neighborhood Grandpa inquire about my extremely personal staffs, just like what you mentioned above or even worse. I never even thought how to inquire back (or fire back?). One common character of Neighborhood Grandma is that, they like asking questions to young people, who are just newbies in this complicated world in their eyes, and share their rich experience with newbies (like where to buy cheap vegetables... ). Thus one major reason for them to ask so much is because they think they can be helpful. And they are helpful, more or less. So just give them your smile, nod and "thank you" is enough to satisfy them. Or you can try to inquire back. The result you can get from that is a myth though. But, almost for sure, your questions along with their potential meanings will be spread widely among neighborhood grandmas. : )Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330825396856032144.post-20912750768473395392009-09-30T13:42:42.387-07:002009-09-30T13:42:42.387-07:00You have had wonderful grandparents who check on y...You have had wonderful grandparents who check on you and watch out for your safety in both the east and the midwest. East grandparents plus midwest grandparents = a loved and safe young woman!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com