The party was a traditional Chinese banquet in a traditional Chinese banquet hall in the mall across the street from Johnson Controls. Translation? 52 tables of people in a massive restaurant that is large enough to hold at least 100 tables. Something like 12 courses are served over the course of the evening with wine, tea, water or soda. The food was delicious. Here are some of the highlights:
- Pork with really fried & crispy skin on top - I could do without the skin but Chris loves it
- Some sort of fried mozzarella stick but it had shrimp, pineapple and some sort of lighter cheese inside - very yummy
- Unknown, but very tasty, vegetables
- Shark's fin soup - this course is often served at important events to show that one has money because it's very expensive. It's tasty but very controversial. Yes, it's actually made with sharks' fins. Therein lies the controversial part. Sharks are hunted, their fins cut off and then thrown back in to the ocean to die. This is why it's so expensive. To have face in China you buy very expensive things to show to people that you have money. Seeing as how there's enough politics going around right now in the U.S., I'll refrain from any editorials.
- Duck web w/ veggies - sort of like chicken's feet but much bigger and webbed, obviously. I wouldn't go near the web but Chris is really brave with all the food and tried everything. Even he didn't really like it though.
- Steamed fish - my fav
- Rice & noodles to finish out the meal
Now, a few other funny things about the evening. When we arrived, we found out that we were sitting at one of the two head tables. It was a way to be very respectful to us as foreigners but a little bit you feel like "It's the Gweilo Show!" There were a couple other people from the Milwaukee office in town for some meetings so they sat with us, along with the other American expat, Raj. He's my favorite. It's sort of like having your dad around and since I really like my dad, Raj and I get along very well. The President sat at the table next to us which is good because the Chinese never like to sit at dinner with their boss.
The president gave a business update and various service awards were given out. This is all run of the mill sort of stuff...until you realize that we can't understand a single word of what anyone was saying. Yes, I am still taking Cantonese lessons but really, I caught about one out of every 20 or 30 words. So funny. It was almost as entertaining as the people walking up and down the aisles of tables holding signs that said "Silence Please", in Chinese of course. I think only about 1/3 of the people were paying attention to the sign and do the president's speach. Everyone else was talking.
The entertainment was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening. There was what would be deemed a "Talent Show" in the U.S., karaoke style. Erin Bilot and I have always stood by the rule that karaoke and work parties should never go together. It's a pretty safe bet when you think about it, but like so many other things from the U.S., that rule has absolutely no relevance in China. There were choreographed routines with costumes. One group sang a few songs that must be similar to Bon Jovi's Livin' On A Prayer because the entire banquet hall was singing along, all while the president sat and thoroughly enjoyed the show. We were clapping along; Raj got up and was dancing. We had a really good time. The Johnson Controls Tea Lady won the talent show (she sang Chinese opera which is awful) which must have been the highlight of her year because the president shook her hand and congratulated her. Any other day of the year she would never even make eye contact with him and she was shaking his hand last night. So sweet.
As soon as the last raffle prize was handed out, people were literally running out the door. I have never seen anything like it. There was absolutely no lingering, all 52 tables were gone and the room was empty by the time I got back from the bathroom.
We ended the evening in Lan Kwai Fong with some friends at Al's Diner and the Beijing Club. They've become staples in our weekend plans but we thankfully got home a little earlier than normal. We promise to take any visitors there for a very good time.
This will be my last posting for awhile. I head back to the U.S. on Monday for my sister's wedding. It's so exciting and I can't believe it's only two weeks away! I can't wait to see everyone, get to catch up and really get in the wedding spirit. Chris will be here by himself for about 10 days and our friends have promised to keep him entertained. I think that involves beer but I'm not totally sure.
Looking forward to seeing everyone very soon!
