Becoming one

I'm so impressed with myself! Ordinarily, one would read the following in a very English-speaking manner, as in, assuming they meant "question":

Email subject: qu

The way I just read it was the Chinese pinyin "qu" (sounding like chu/chew, for all y'all English-speakers out there). Ange is getting brainwashed. :D

Speaking of becoming one, from what I hear, the Mormons are super good at that and we admire them for being so professional in their missionary-ism, as far as learning the language and customs go.

Of all the successful missionaries to China I've heard of, a recurring forte seems to be adopting the customs of the land and approaching the people with their message in very different ways from what I'm accustomed to. I admire that a lot and maybe someday I'll be called to something more along those lines -- who knows; I'd definitely welcome it. :) Something very difficult for me, though, is finding out exactly what is and isn't cultural. I guess a lot comes from observation... but for some reason, every time I've asked a Taiwanese person about customs, manners, politeness, etc., they've had a hard time explaining things to me and it hasn't gotten very far. Maybe the power of observation will work better... For example, I'd feel super self-conscious if I were to wear anything "revealing" here -- and believe you me, my style of dress is ordinarily not "revealing", but here, it is! That explains the spats and white tops under normally-skimpy clothing and funny "fashion sense" -- it's not that they have a weird fashion sense, because what's on top is actually pretty nice: they're just trying to dress "cute-ly", while also respecting the traditions of not showing that much, so the coverings underneath are added. Or maybe I'm being too generous and it really is just weird fashion sense all around, haha.

From observation, "revealing" and/or "modest" = no cleavage, resulting in some very high necklines all around; no "leg", so short dresses and skirts worn with leggings underneath; not much sleeveless going on, but worn with white tops-with-sleeves underneath (also helps fix the cleavage thing); definitely no belly-baring, ever; light make-up. Of course, there are some bold clothing statements.--And then there are the betel nut girls, besides, of course, the very essential dancing girls at places of commerce and business, aherm:



Anyway, everything here is very educational and cultural, since my definition of both of those words means "new and unknown", heheh. So much new-ness!!!