This account is from quite a few years ago now but I think speaks to the ignorance of microagressions. The First Nations people of Canada endured the indignity of Reservations and Residential Schools during the early years of the 20th Century. During my lifetime they were working to reclaim what had been taken from them but were still outcasts in their own country.
One of the 'allowances' the government provided was exemption from sales tax. As a young adult I was unaware of this. I was running in a retail transaction as usual when my First Nations customer quite sharply informed me that he did not have to pay sales tax. He then produced a card with a number that was entered into the system. I apologized for my ignorance and he apologized for the snap. There was an unspoken embarrassment on both of our parts. He left the store to return to his little plot of allotted land.
This token act by the dominant culture went further to marginalize First Nations people as citizens of Canada. What they needed was the freedom to pay taxes, to have equitable education, to have freedom to live where they wanted and enjoy the free social services of our country.
I mention this incident because it was the first time I came face to face and understood the debilitating effects of being treated as different in your own country. It also points out how separated geographically, the First Nations peoples were from my neighborhood so I had very little knowledge and even less contact.
An incident this week fits the category but I am more at a loss to explain. My friend co-runs an organization for Autistic children here in Beijing. Her accountant was meant to pay their taxes by a certain date remembering that the Spring Festival celebrations had to be figured in. The last day of work, my friend checked to see if their taxes had been paid. My friend's next expression was 'You know how Chinese are.'. The accountant had not paid the taxes because she was moving house. To her this was an acceptable explanation. My friend who does not speak Chinese went to the Tax Office, paid the money but the clerk would not stamp her receipt. Apparently it was expected that she give him a red envelope, extra money, for the stamped receipt. My friend did not have this nor was she willing to participate in the activity. She drew attention by raising her foreigner voice and soon the clerk stamped just to move things along.
We need to respect what is important in this country. Yes, the taxes had to be paid but perhaps more follow up in the process, might have helped her understand that the employee felt unable to get to the tax office and make alternative plans. About the act that is essentially bribery, I am not sure. I think the situation was more a learning how to live in this country. However, the prefacing phrase clearly shows that she thinks and obviously thought I did too that this behavior is incompetent.
I think this is a call for us to learn the different definitions of lifestyle, share our own and come to some sort of compromise.
Was the red envelope a tradition that was practiced in conjunction with the Spring Festival? Is tipping public officials a custom at certain times of the year? There are cultural considerations that must be taken into account when living in a foreign country. How sad that your friend stereotyped the Chinese people in such a way!
ReplyDeleteHi Careyann, I am also a little confused about the red envelope in this case. The Chinese were giving the red envelope so it probably was something we need to find out more about. My experience is that it is older to younger and boss to employee. I gave envelopes to my assistants and ayis and I expect to get one from my employee.
DeleteThat leaves an interesting question I think. If it is cultural and yet goes against what my friend believes in, is she expected to comply. Don't know the answer to that question.
Hi Bobbie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading both examples of microagression. As you know, the First Nation's people in Canada and the United States are still struggling to overcome years of oppression due to marginalization by white people. Both governments have come a long way in making amends with the First Nation's people and we still have more steps to take before the healing from generational oppression will begin to subside for this population.
I am curious, would the clerk at the tax office require a red envelope from the accountant or is the red envelope only expected from foreigners?
Hi Patty,
DeleteYou would so love it here. When I first visited Beijing in January, 2000, I entered a shopping Mall and the faces of the people could have been a scene from northern New Brunswick, Canada. There must be some DNA connection between the Chinese and our First Nation's Peoples. Apparently, in fact there is. I have always thought there is nothing more beautiful than a First Nations face and art. It helps me understand my love for this place and its people.
The red envelope situation has many rules that I still do not know. My experience is that it is older to younger and employer to employee. I gave envelopes to my assistants and ayis and I expect one from my boss when I go back. Also children receive from parents and all other family members.
This office situation though I do not know about. If it is a bribe and my friend disagrees with it, is it a cultural aggression for her to refuse to participate in it? I don't know. I guess we need to know more about the practice before being able to make that decision.