张挥

“In the past 52 years this place has changed completely. I’ve seen this city become a modern metropolis.“

How is work going today?

It’s going well, what are you doing?

I’m waiting for a friend. Do you work long tonight?

Till 9 PM.

Well that isn’t bad. How do you like it?

How do I like my work?

Yes.

I love my work. It is the best job I could imagine.

Really? Why do you say that?

Because every day I get to stand here, and you’ve seen, even while I’m trying to talk to you people are still asking me questions. I get to be
here every day and meet new people. Not only do I get to meet new people, but I get to help them.
There is nothing more fulfilling in life that helping someone else.

That is a great attitude to have. Actually, back in America I work as a lifeguard, and my favorite part of that job is helping other people as
well. So have you done this work for a long time?

Oh, I’ve done this for about 10 years now.

And before that?

I used to do something very similar like this in the Army. I think that helping people is what I was meant to do in my life. Everyone has something
that they are good at- this is what I’m good at. It’s even in my name, the Hui （挥）in my name even means to lead, or to help. I’ve
always found that helping other people makes me happy.

Well it is great that you’ve found your calling, I can tell that you are very happy. Is this what you plan on doing for the rest of your life?

Well I’m 52 right now. Changing careers just 8 years before I retire wouldn’t be a very good idea.

So you are a security guard, do you work for the national government, the city government, the park, or the subway system?

I work for the subway system. These subways are nice aren’t they?

Yes, very convenient. Right now I’m living in Nanjing. They only have one subway line, and it isn’t very convenient.

You live in Nanjing? What do you think of Shanghai?

It’s a great city, it definitely has a different feel than Nanjing does, but every place has its upsides and downsides.

I guess I’m a little bit biased.

Well I’m sure you love Shanghai. How long have you lived here?

I grew up here in Shanghai. Actually, I live just a little north of Shanghai city in a city called Suzhou.

Oh! I’ve heard of Suzhou, isn’t it referred to as the ‘Venice of China’? And some streets, instead of roads, are canals and you ride on boats?

Yes. Even though Shanghai has a lot of history, especially if you head into the Old City, Suzhou has a lot more history. There are entire sections of
the city where every building is seventy to over one hundred years old. Shanghai is a modern, international city. Suzhou is very….

Traditional?

Yes, you could say traditional. You need to make sure that you make your way to Suzhou before you go back to America.

What has it been like growing up in this area?

In the past 52 years this place has changed completely. I’ve seen this city become a modern metropolis. And it’s still growing. I’ve seen all of
China change completely. I’ve seen China and Shanghai modernize. We’re just lucky that China is working towards a
peaceful rise as a world power.

Do you think that these are good steps for China?

Definitely. I think that it is good for the entire world. I like to think that China can modernize so that all the people of China can enjoy a good quality of life.
That will help the people here, and it will help people in America. I hope that they [America and China] are able to continue to grow [together]
without wars. War doesn’t benefit anyone. There are no winners in war.

What do you mean by that?

China has been involved in a lot of wars in the recent future. When they fight everyone suffers. People die, people starve. Others come in and destroy
the beautiful things in this city. Afterwards people have to rebuild. There is nothing good that comes from fighting wars.
I would hope that America and China can see that and avoid war.

I hope so as well. There is a lot to be gained by working together.

When you are done with your studies do you plan on moving back to China?

I would hope that I can find a job in America working with businesses in China.

That would probably be for the best. My son has said he would like to work in America after he graduates from college, but I would prefer that he work here
in Shanghai with American companies.

You have a son?

Yes, probably about your age. He’s studying here at Shanghai University. He’s had opportunities that I could have never dreamed of when I was his age.
Life has changed very much in Shanghai during the past little while.

闫克文

“It’s hard to get the job you dream of.”

You look pretty young to be a taxi driver, most taxi drivers seem like they are in their 30’s or 40’s.

Young? How young do you think I am?

I’d say 27.

You’ve got a good eye. I am 27.

So you can’t have been driving for that long?

I’ve been driving taxis for… oh, 6 years now.

Has all of that been in Nanjing?

No, I’ve only been here for about… 4 years now.

And before that? Where were you before that?

I was in Hunan.

[Pause]

You aren’t that old either are you?

I’m 22.

So a few years younger than me?

Yes, I’m still young. Do you live here in Nanjing by yourself?

By myself? No, I live with my family.

Your parents?

My parents? My son is 6 years old!

You have a son?

Soon I’ll have a daughter as well. My wife is 8 months pregnant with a baby girl.

That’s wonderful! Are you excited?

Of course I’m excited, having a child is a great thing.

I bet you’re not looking forward to the late night diaper changings and feedings though.

Oh I don’t mind, that’s my wife’s job.

She does all of that?

Yes, I have to work, so she does all of that so I can focus on making money.

I don’t think it would be easy. On a normal day how long do you work?

Oh, I go out at 6 or 7 in the morning.

And when do you get done for the day?

I usually go home around midnight.

And how has business been today?

It could be better.

So, right now, before the baby is born, does your wife work?

Oh yes she works, she’s a taxi driver as well.

How will that work after she has the baby?

She’ll still need to work, we need the money.

Will she take the baby in the car with her when she drives?

Oh no. She’ll stay home for a few months, maybe a year, and then we’ll take the baby to daycare

so that she can start working again.

And your son, does she take him with her ever or do you take him to a daycare?

No, he goes to school! This is his first year.

How is it paying tuition? I hear that tuition over here is expensive.

Oh, it’s not that bad. Tuition doesn’t really get that expensive until high school.

And high school here in China is very competitive isn’t it?

Yes, very competitive. I hated it.

You hated it?

Yes, just looking at a book makes me want to fall asleep. That’s why I dropped out, my wife did too.

Did you and your wife grow up together?

No, when I was 19 my friend introduced us. We dated for 2 years and then got

married. One year later our son was born.

And it was around that time that you started driving taxis?

That was when we first got married and we needed money. I took the test and passed, and then

we started saving money so that we could move to the city and drive taxis here.

Is this what you always want to do, drive taxis?

No! No, I don’t always want to be a taxi driver. This is just a job for now. It’s just a path to a different job.

Do you know what job you’d like to do?

No, they’re all the same to me. Just as long as I can make money, that’s enough for me.

You just know that you don’t want to drive taxis for the rest of your life?

The poverty gap here in China is too big. The rich people are very rich and the poor people are very poor. I want to be one of the rich people.

What do the rich people here in China do?

Well… they do so many things. I’d say if there was one general characteristic that they all have

it would be that they don’t really do much work, with their hands I mean, but they still

get paid a lot of money.

So, like your boss, would you say he is rich?

Yes.

And he probably doesn’t do much driving or manual labor?

No, none at all. That’s my dream job. It’s just hard to get the job you dream of.

Why is that?

There are so many people here. You just have to get into something, anything really, and

then you have to get lucky.

The Premise: II

The time before the big move to China is getting shorter, and I've been doing more and more to prepare myself for the big trip.

After reading dozens of books and articles about ethnology surveys and anthropology field work, and reading dozens or interviews
I've come to some decisions about the interviews I'll be conducting which will be a hybrid of life histories and cultural surveys.

My theme, my overarching question, my main goal in learning will be to learn:
Who are the people in The Peoples Republic of China, and what makes them unique?
and
What similarities do they share with other people?

The following are potential questions I hope to use to learn more about the people:

How much would you say your culture/country influenced your development as a person?
How much influence has your family had is your development as a person?
What experiences in your life have influenced your development as a person?
How similar do you think you are to an American?
What characteristics do you have that you think are very similar to other people?
What characteristics do you have that you think make you unique?
What do you think our purpose as people is?
What stories do you know about your ancestors?
What kinds of dreams of the future did your mother/father have?
Did your parents live through any wars? What did they tell you about life before/during/after the war?
Where did you grow up?
Was your childhood happy, sad, difficult?
Tell me about your family growing up.
What do you remember about birthdays when you were younger?
What experiences have you had in gaining an education?
If you could learn one thing, or develop one skill, what would that be?
If someone wanted to learn from you, what could you teach them?
What has been the most important experience in your life?
Who was the first person you ever fell in love with?
What do you remember about your wedding day?
What is the kindest thing you've ever done for another person?
What is the kindest thing another person has ever done for you?
What are some small things that make you happy?
What things make you happy in life?
What do you think it means to be truly happy?
Tell me about a memory of being happy, sad, disappointed, etc.
What sort of things worry you about your own life?
What sort of things do you see in the world that worry you?
What are some changes for good you've made in your life?
How would you measure progress in your life?
What do you wish you could change about your life?
What is the most important lesson you've learned in your life?
Are you happy with your life right now?
What influenced you to decide your career/career path/hobby/etc.?
What would you say are your main motivating factors for doing what you do (work, school, art)?
What is your dream career? Are you doing that? Why?
If you weren't a (career/hobbyist/etc) what would you be?
What do you do in a typical day?
After a particularly frustrating day, what do you do to unwind?
In ancient China people revered and worshiped heroes from stories. Do you feel that today Chinese people do the same thing?
What is something that you have trouble understanding?
Tell me about a time when someone took cheated you.
Would you say you are an optimist or pessimist? Why?

The Premise

On August 29 I will be moving to Nanjing, China for 3 1/2 months for a study abroad at Nanjing University.

As I thought about ways to maximize my experience in China I considered what it was that I wanted to accomplish.

I'm not going to China just to learn Chinese. I already speak Chinese. I'm going to China to learn about Chinese people.

In order to motivate myself to get out and meet people, I decided I'd have a project ongoing while I'm in China.

The premise:
To interview and photograph the people who live in the People's Republic of China.

I've compiled the following list of people to look for while I'm out
(to give me a little direction and variety):

- A construction worker

- A lifeguard

- A calligrapher

- A farmer

- A shadow puppeteer

- A small restaurant owner

- A chef

- A street vendor

- A person who digs through the trash

- A Muslim

- A doctor/nurse

- A mother

- A fortune teller

- A hairdresser/barber

- A person who plays the erhu

- A martial artist/professional fighter

- An indie rockband/band member

- A bartender

- A shoemaker

- A guitar salesman

- A pirated movie peddler

- A ferry/boat captain

- A bodybuilder/weightlifter

- A Buddhist monk

- A person older than 60

- A person younger than 20

- A ‘white collar’ business man

- A ‘white collar’ business woman

- A soldier/police officer

- A man playing chess in the park

- An artist

- A blind person

- A person who survived the Sichuan earthquakes

- An orphan

- A seamstress/tailor

- A sweatshop worker

- A woodworker/carpenter

- A college student

- A taxi driver

- An immigrant

- A ‘migrant worker’

- A factory worker

- A watchmaker/repairman

- A single mother

- A newlywed couple

- A catholic

- An athlete

- A person wearing a turban

- A woman with bound feet

- A person missing more than half their teeth

- A person who is taller than I am

- A tea maker/teashop owner

- A person wearing a costume (of any kind)

- A Chinese ethnic minority (anything but a Han Chinese)

- A street performer

- A person with a dog

- A person selling animals

- A fisherman

- A person with a tattoo

- A person with facial hair

- A person with a physical disability

Interviews and photographs will be posted on this site.

Any suggestions of other people to interview/photograph would be greatly appreciated.

My day to day life will be chronicled on my other blog.