Response to 300-325

            Everyone has a different level of tolerance.  The situation that happened throughout these pages revealed something about Hessler, he isn’t perfect.   The shoeshine man was winding him up but making rude comments and giving him a hard time.  The book revealed the shoeshine’s identity as a judgmental local who hassles American people such as Hessler.  I think what really got to him was the comment the shoeshine mad made about his work of teaching.  That’s a deep insult and unfortunately, he let it get to him.  Even thought the shoeshine man started it, I do not think Hessler handled the situation correctly but it was understandable. However, I do think that he could have handled himself better than he did. Of course we all try to keep calm and handle the situation the best way possible but that is not always the case.  When things start to build up, anyone is more susceptible to blowing up and making a scene.  I have respect for Hessler that he did all of these things throughout his career in China.  It’s not easy to just get up and go and dealing with rude locals who think they know better can be hard because you are the minority.