Lavender Walls

Learning to Live in a Modern World

Learning how to use modern amenities

Berlino HotelMy father once told me a story regarding older generations of rural mainland Chinese migrants and their initial misconception on the function of western toilets.

Decades ago, some immigrants from the Chinese countryside -- deprived and ignorant of the amenities available in the more developed regions and areas -- would wash their vegetables and fruit in the toilet shortly after they arrived in their destinations. To their detriment, they will later realize that this fascinating contraption is used for a function that is entirely different from their own initial assumption about its use.

Reading this article brought back the memory of my father's account. On my personal opinion of these lessons. I believe it is praiseworthy as it will make the adjustment somewhat easier for a group of people who will soon be entering a country and society that is vastly different from their own.