"Old No Good"

[Feathers268]

After what was a wonderful time with Carl and Ping yesterday, the drive home became very cold.

After visiting Chinese Camp State Park, I was hit with some hard questions about why I thought to go there. Aparently, an old run down building or boat is not interesting but embarrasing.

To me, an old wood building in a field or on a beach is a possible good photo and a window looking back on another time. Such places here in California, I thought, would instill a bit of pride showing how the Chinese people worked hard making their place here in America and the contributions they made here. But then, what do I know.

I had thought I found a good potential for a regional get together, but if all it would do is piss off the ladies, well....

Any one else experience this? Today has not been a good day in the Feathers household. I'm sure we will be fine but I have to say, we ventured into an area not too pleasant. I can't wait to find the other side.

[warpedbored]

It's an interesting cultural take on the issue. I heard pretty much the same thing from Bing only her take on it was foreigners wanting to take photos of old run down things in China. To us it's a glimpse into another side of life in China. To them it is showing the world an ugly side they would rather not discuss when there are so many other achievements they have made they are proud of. Seems to be a face saving issue. Certainly seems to be grounds for cultural misunderstanding.

 

I'll post some pics of the village when I get home. I forgot my mini USB cable for my camera.

[Ovahimba]

Yes, China Camp has seen better days. I would definitely show my SO all the glitzy stuff around SF first, and maybe make China Camp a short side trip if at all.

 

In the book "Wild Swans", one of the author's conclusions about the Cultural Revolution was: not only did they destroy many of the antiquities representing the heritage of China, but they also destroyed people's appreciation for those things.

 

Most in China would prefer to tear it down, pave it over, and build shiny green glass buildings.

[jim_julian]

Jim, we all know your heart is good and you only mean the best. Jen knows this too. Hang in there ...

[Feathers268]

Jim, we all know your heart is good and you only mean the best. Jen knows this too. Hang in there ...

Thanks Jim,

The fact that I have never been married before, and how almost story book the first 1.75 years have been, this is new territory for me. I know this will pass soon enough, it just really f***ing sucks right now.

[Feathers268]

In the book "Wild Swans", one of the author's conclusions about the Cultural Revolution was: not only did they destroy many of the antiquities representing the heritage of China, but they also destroyed people's appreciation for those things.

A culture conditioned to reject it's history and herritage? That is truly tragic. There is so much to be proud of though out China's history. I can't help but think of a sign inside the Forbidden City,"Don't let one moment's carelessness ruin this for all eternity." I'm sure so much has been lost, a crime perpetrated by those who would say they were protecting the people.

And of course, those who FAIL to learn history, are DOOMED to repeat it.

[lostinblue]

Yes, China Camp has seen better days. I would definitely show my SO all the glitzy stuff around SF first, and maybe make China Camp a short side trip if at all.

 

In the book "Wild Swans", one of the author's conclusions about the Cultural Revolution was: not only did they destroy many of the antiquities representing the heritage of China, but they also destroyed people's appreciation for those things.

 

Most in China would prefer to tear it down, pave it over, and build shiny green glass buildings.

A book for everyone to read. We here in america also destroy many old buildings that should be saved. From an agricultural slant there are many old barns being torn down across the country as their usefullness has run its course. The more you repair (or restore) them the higher your taxes will be. Put new siding and a coat of paint on your home and see how high your taxes will be at the next accessment.A lot of people who restore grand old homes have seen their parents do the same thing

[IllinoisDave]

During both of my trips to China, I took pictures everywhere, of everything, old and new. Not to show how old or new things were, but just because everything was so interesting to me. I took alot of pics of the older stuff because I was kind of awed by being in a country with such a long, rich culture and history.

 

I kind of wish I had seen this thread before I went. It never occured to me that I might be being insensitive to someone's pride.

[tywy_99]

My wife is the same way. She doesn't care for an old house. It has to be new. Everything has to be new.

We discussed this. She said that everything in China is old and people don't care for it.

It must be a cultural thing, for sure. I, on the other hand, kind of like old stuff. It's history to me and I think a great deal can be looked from things of old. For example, I brought an old Singer sewing machine, 1904, and refurbished it. Along the way, I got really interested in Singer and studied their history.

I had fun learning about these old sewing machines and I also learned that Singer was selling sewing machines to the merchants in China from around the 1870's to the communist take over in 1949. Imagine that! Singer sewing machines in China 100 years ago!

My wife doesn't care, in fact, she never knew this. She just doesn't like "old" things. She says they're too dirty or like with the old Singer sewing machine, she said there is 100 ghosts touching that machine...lol.

Definitely a "cultural divide". Walk carefully!

[SinoTexas]

Howdy Jim,

 

I hope things have mended over for yall by now. As I have said, I work for the National Park Service and we have lots of "old" things in those parks. They range from a big ditch in the ground that expose rocks over a billion years old and called the Grand Canyon, to small recently restored house that was the birthplace of Reverend Dr. Martin Lither King, Jr. All my career, I've dealt with "old" things...cannons on a Civil War battlefield to rusting hunk of metal embedded 42 feet at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. I also teach a class on heritage tourism at one of the universities in Hubei Province. It has been a struggle with my students, but they do see the need for preservation of their cultural and natural history. There is a changing mentality that not everything old is bad, and should be worth keeping.. When the debate occurs, I challenge my students to tell me if they would tear down the Great Wall or the Imperial Palace or temples, etc. Usually the answer is no and I ask them to explain why not. I also ask if they have photos of their parents or grandparents when they were younger. They say they do. I then ask, why haven't you thrown out these photos, because they are old? Then the light bulb goes on and they explain to me that these photos are tangible pieces of history that connects them to their individual past. We expand that thought concept to their community and to the China as a whole with cultural and natural history connections. What seems to work with my students are just making personal connections to their past and expanding on that.

 

I have explained to my fiancee that I work for an organization that preserves and protects "old stuff". I also have various antiques in my house that I collect. Once she arrives, she'll have a chance to see if she likes living with "old" things (me included).

 

We will plant a "wedding tree" on the day of our marriage out at the ranch. She asked me why and I said for shade. I explained that we may not ever sit in it's shade, but future generations, yet to be born will, and perhaps the story of our wedding tree will be passed on to those future generations. A gift to the future. Good luck Jim.

 

As aye,

 

Jim

[rlheim]

Jim, we all know your heart is good and you only mean the best. Jen knows this too. Hang in there ...

Thanks Jim,

The fact that I have never been married before, and how almost story book the first 1.75 years have been, this is new territory for me. I know this will pass soon enough, it just really f***ing sucks right now.

 

 

 

HA! I am experiencing the samething with a few antiques I have here. OLD!!! I say history. Doesn't work, I have a coffee table made in 1889 by hand and carved she doesn't like.

 

Oh well.........................

 

[Ovahimba]

After this thread, I've decided to play it safe and take down all the spears, masks, and bows and arrows off my walls before she gets here. I thought I might leave them up and see if she had any appreciation for such novel items. ..... like a cold day in hell.

[Feathers268]

Jim, interesting post that seems to be getting a lot of attention.

 

I see many of the same, "new is better" comments, but it's important to frame it properly. Let Jen know that these things are of interest or important to you. Hopefully, she will see your meaning and respect your opinion even if she doesn't share it.

Thanks guys,

I think I'm not going to let this go. Maybe I need to find a good ghost town or something real old that's American. I also like the comparison of old photos. I don't know if it would work with Jen, she still seems a bit care free about things like that.

[bosco]

Jim, interesting post that seems to be getting a lot of attention.

 

I see many of the same, "new is better" comments, but it's important to frame it properly. Let Jen know that these things are of interest or important to you. Hopefully, she will see your meaning and respect your opinion even if she doesn't share it.

Thanks guys,

I think I'm not going to let this go. Maybe I need to find a good ghost town or something real old that's American. I also like the comparison of old photos. I don't know if it would work with Jen, she still seems a bit care free about things like that.

 

Head on over to Arizona and take in some Pueblo ruins.

[warpedbored]

I would really like to hear some of our Chinese members take on this, Especially Eunice.