Yanwen’s blog

Something came up today that got me thinking. An acquaintance reached out to us from China, asking us how to apply for a Chinese visa for his son, who is a doctor in Kansas.

It reminded me of an old saying I heard long ago, perhaps from my grandma: "儿不嫌娘多" (Ér bù xián niáng duō), which means, "A child never complains about having too many mothers." Though it’s not a popular saying anymore, its meaning has always intrigued me.

The saying reflects the traditional view of a mother—as someone who loves unconditionally, cares for you when you’re young, and gives you red packets during the Spring Festival. The more people who love and care for you, the better. In ancient times, when childbirth was dangerous, women would often ask female friends or relatives to become godmothers for their babies. This way, if something happened to the biological mother, the godmother could step in and continue to care for the child.

I used to think this saying was outdated, given its origins and the advances in medicine. But now, I see it differently.

The saying still holds value today, emphasizing the benefits of having more people in one’s life who care and support you. It underscores the importance of strong family and social bonds.

In fact, you can see the saying as an ancient version of the concept of "connections." In the past, having more godmothers or maternal figures in one’s life meant a stronger support network, which could be crucial for survival and well-being. Today, this idea translates into the importance of connections and networks that extend to the next generation and beyond just family, influencing opportunities and support for future generations.

Just like our acquaintance reaching out to help his son get a visa, these connections continue to provide tangible benefits, demonstrating the lasting value of strong social and familial bonds across generations.

Times have changed tremendously, but the power of relationships and networks remains relevant, even as the nature of those connections evolves over time. This is evident when our old acquaintance from China reached out today for his son in Kansas. It shows that no matter how much time has passed or how far apart we are, these bonds still matter.

Lately, I've been reflecting on three topics. First is the story of Juliet Wu Shihong (吴士宏). Second, a request from an alumnus of the Tianjin Foreign Languages School from the 1970s to write about memories of the old days. Third, some intriguing research on the Tetris effect. While I may not cover all three today, I'll start with Juliet Wu's story.

Juliet Wu Shihong (born 1957) is an outstanding and remarkable figure, belonging to China’s first generation of top-tier professional managers in 1990s. Despite having no social or family background, nor any formal education, she climbed from humble beginnings as a cleaner and nurse to the position of CEO through sheer determination, self-education, and on-the-job learning.

In 1985, she taught herself English and earned a college degree. She joined IBM through a service company for foreign enterprises, starting with tasks as trivial as serving tea, cleaning, and doing clerical work. Over the course of a decade, she rose from IBM South China regional marketing manager to the general manager of IBM's South China branch. By 1997, she had become the General Manager of IBM China's sales branches, and in February 1998, she joined Microsoft as the General Manager of Microsoft China.

In 1999, she wrote and published an autobiography titled 《逆风飞飏》 (Nì fēng fēi yáng) or "Flying Against the Wind." The title reflects her unyielding and indomitable spirit in the face of immense challenges and adversity.

The book was a bestseller in China. When journalists asked her, "What was the primary driver of your success?" Wu replied honestly, "Poverty. It all started with a desire to escape poverty and achieve financial independence. I was scared of being poor, and I was also insecure."

Now approaching age 70, single and childless, Wu was asked by a journalist about her decision to break up with a boyfriend nearly 40 years ago who wanted her to move to America and become a full-time housewife. She reflected, "I don't regret giving up love for my career, but I do regret not having children."

Wu has been an idol for many successful people today, but I can't help comparing the differences between successful females of her time and those of today.

The first notable difference is in their motivations. Wu grew up in poverty, so her primary incentive was to escape it. For her, success was often synonymous with hard work and sacrifice, sometimes at the expense of personal and family life.

In contrast, today's young people often view success as a balance between career and personal life. Or they want success in order to enjoy family life. Society now places greater emphasis on work-life balance, mental health, and family well-being. This shift reflects broader societal changes, where success is not solely measured by career achievements but also by the ability to maintain fulfilling personal relationships and happy family.

Additionally, after four decades of reforms in China, the country is seeing greater affluence and stability. With more resources, support systems, and social acceptance, successful women today often do not have to choose between career and family. They can afford to have both, aided by advances in technology, childcare options, and a more flexible work environment.

In conclusion, the differences between successful women in the 1990s and today can largely be attributed to shifts in societal values, improved economic conditions, and evolving cultural norms. While Wu's generation often had to choose between career success and family life, today’s women benefit from a more supportive environment that allows them to lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.

During my last meeting with one of my Korean students, she expressed concern about her daughter’s education. "We will go back to Korea in a few years. I'm afraid my daughter will struggle to adapt to schools there. She might lag behind in both English and Korean because her vocabulary and grammar in both languages aren't strong enough, even though she speaks English like a native."

This conversation made me think about the differences between the Korean and American education systems, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and how one might leverage the strengths of each while mitigating the drawbacks.

From what I’ve learned, the Korean education system shares similarities with the Chinese system in terms of its emphasis and methods. Both are rooted in the same cultural values and strong work ethic.

Firstly, like China, Koreans culturally place a high value on education and academic achievement. Education is seen as a key route to success, leading to significant pressure on students to perform well in school. The system is also exam-oriented, with students required to pass through multiple levels of testing.

Secondly, the curriculum in Korea is rigorous, with a strong focus on mathematics, science, and language studies, particularly English. For this, Korean students work very hard. Imagine if everyone stands up watching in a theatre, you have to stand up if you want to see the performance. So the children feel the pressure to perform well in school.

Thirdly, the learning methods in Korea, similar to those in China, emphasize rote memorization, drill practice, and standardized testing. The classroom environment is teacher-centered, with an expectation of respect and discipline from students.

In contrast, American children experience a more relaxed, fun-filled approach in public schools, which supposedly emphasize the holistic development of students. Academic performance is important, but so are other aspects like extracurricular activities, and social skills. The U.S. system embraces the idea that there are many paths to success, not just through traditional classroom learning. Creativity, critical thinking, and independent learning are strongly encouraged.

These differences explain why South Korea consistently ranks high in global education assessments like PISA, especially in mathematics and science.

On the other hand, the U.S. education system, with issues like inequality, shows more variability in academic outcomes, with some schools excelling while others fall behind.

Culturally, the two countries are vastly different. Korea values collective achievement and social harmony, viewing academic success as a reflection of family honor. Therefore, parental involvement in children's education is exceptionally high in Korea. In contrast, the U.S. emphasizes individual achievement, self-expression, and the pursuit of personal interests.

A Chinese saying goes, 尺有所短，寸有所长 (Chǐ yǒu suǒ duǎn, cùn yǒu suǒ cháng), meaning: "A foot may have its shortcoming, and an inch may have its strength." This implies that everything has its strengths and weaknesses. In this context, both the Korean and American education systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, and one must recognize and leverage the strengths while acknowledging the limitations.

Finally, in a country where everyone runs, you can’t just walk or lay flat (躺平, tǎng píng). While people may not always have the option to choose where they live or to experience the best of both worlds, they can strive to make the most of the opportunities available to them in any given moment. 

This mindset extends beyond education and can be a guiding principle in many areas of life, reminding us to embrace what we have and turn challenges into opportunities for personal growth.

Recently, I came across news about the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) initiating an anti-dumping investigation focused on low-speed passenger vehicles imported from China. These vehicles, including sightseeing cars, electric golf carts, and other personal transportation options like electric tricycles, are under scrutiny due to allegations that they are being sold in the U.S. at prices that beat local manufacturers. The investigation will assess these claims, potentially leading to the imposition of tariffs.

This investigation is part of a broader U.S. effort to address Chinese imports across various sectors. The anti-dumping duties could be significant, with margins potentially exceeding 376%.

International observers have expressed concern, as Chinese tricycles are highly competitive in many markets. For instance, in the delivery industry, FedEx in the United States developed its own electric tricycle a few years ago, which was significantly more expensive and less efficient than Chinese alternatives.

The colloquial term for these three-wheeled vehicles is 三蹦子 (sān bēng zi), referring to motorized tricycles commonly used for transportation in both rural and urban areas. These vehicles are popular due to their affordability and practicality.

Delving into the origins of China's tricycle industry reveals that Yanshi District in Luoyang City, Henan, is known as "China’s Tricycle Capital," producing nearly 40% of the country's tricycles. This local manufacturing industry has successfully expanded internationally, with Yanshi exporting 58,000 tricycles and 540,000 related components last year.

Henan is also home to many other significant export industries. One such industry is lab-grown diamonds, which are nearly indistinguishable from natural diamonds in terms of chemical composition, physical properties, and appearance. However, lab-grown diamonds are priced at only about 10% of their natural counterparts, and last year, they captured over half of the market share. Henan produces 80% of China's lab-grown diamonds.

Another industry from Henan’s small towns that has seen international success is violin manufacturing. Globally, 90% of violins are made in China, and over 80% of China’s mid-to-high-end violins come from Henan. Each year, 400,000 mid-to-high-end violins are produced here, with annual exports exceeding $20 million.

Lastly, Xuchang's wig industry stands out, with its products sold worldwide. Last year, Xuchang's wig exports reached 16.85 billion yuan, making it the top global producer.

Considering the flourishing productivity from just one province in China, I’m reminded of many articles from prestigious publications like The Economist, which have long predicted a decline in China's economy. Yet, the resilience and resourcefulness of the Chinese people continue to generate surprise and immense productivity on the global stage, challenging these forecasts and demonstrating the enduring strength and the richness of Chinese culture and industry.

A Chinese saying goes, 卧虎藏龙 (Wò hǔ cáng lóng), meaning "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." This phrase describes hidden talents or potential that aren’t immediately visible to outsiders. It reflects how some may underestimate or overlook China’s economic strength, only to be surprised by the immense potential and capabilities that are now emerging on the global stage. This unexpected rise like 三蹦子 has even drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The quarter-life crisis is not a financial crisis. The first time I heard of this was from my son, who mentioned it in relation to his then-girlfriend. She had chosen a college major mainly for practical reasons, even though her true passion lay in art and architecture. Despite having a well-paid job and excelling in her role, she found no joy in her work. Just before turning 30, she decided to quit and started searching for what truly interested her.

Recently, I’ve noticed another type of quarter-life crisis affecting people around 30. Again, it’s not about struggling to advance in their careers, but rather about those who have settled comfortably into their positions, becoming stagnant and complacent. They no longer have the drive to learn new skills. They lose the sharpness and sensitivity to things that once excited them. They become indifferent to beauty and novelty, reacting to new technologies like seniors, slow to adapt. Many of them even begin to accumulate fat around their waists. They rely entirely on their limited and outdated experiences, believing that the future will mirror the present, coasting through life till retirement.

A Chinese saying captures this mindset well: 当一天和尚撞一天钟 (Dāng yī tiān héshàng zhuàng yī tiān zhōng), which means "Live like a monk for a day, ring the bell for a day." This phrase implies a minimal, disengaged approach to life, akin to just going through the motions without deeper investment.

However, unlike monks who embrace detachment from worldly concerns, regular people are not bound by such ascetic ideals. We are meant to engage fully with our passions and aspirations. 

Ultimately, keep in mind that the richness of human life lies above mere material comfort and financial stability. It comes from striving to grow, continuously learning and finding meanings, and contributing to the world. It’s about constantly seeking with renewal purpose and energy. By embracing curiosity, pursuing passions, and striving to make a difference, we engage with life’s deeper and broader dimensions that make us worthy being called Human beings.

Happy birthday to my youngest sister's son!