In response

This blog is in response to those that feel my last entry was
"creepy". I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I probably didn't explain
the situation good enough. Here is what I can say about it. The man
was obviously drunk but not gay. I was at times uncomfortable
but that was because he was drunk. Neither Sam nor I
felt like he was hitting on Sam.

You need to understand that in China, (and in many other countries
other than the United States) people are more affectionate with one
another. They might not kiss you on the cheek when they see you (as
they do in France or Italy) but often times girls will interlock arms
or grab your hand when you are walking side by side. I remember my
first day after we moved here. A Chinese friend we had met the day
before took us to buy stuff for the kitchen. As we started to cross
the street she grabbed my hand and didn't let go until we had reached
our destination. At first I felt a little awkward because I hadn't
held hands with another girl since grade school but after a minute it
felt completely natural. Now if I'm walking with friends I wouldn't
think twice about it. Guys too are more open about hugging or
putting their hand on each other's shoulder etc. Sam and I find it
rather refreshing.

Going back to the man in the restaurant, I think he had his wits about
him enough to know that it would be inappropriate to kiss me but he
probably felt giving Sam a peck on the cheek was no big deal. Perhaps
he would have kissed me too had he been a little bit more drunk.  Overall
the situation was more funny than creepy.