Becoming 'a little more Chinese'

2. I'm a little bit pushier.

I learned very quickly in China that you get pushed around a lot. It doesn't matter if you were the first one in line waiting for the bus; if you're not a bit assertive you'll end up as the last one to get on. At first, I just sighed and reminded myself that patience was a virtue. Now, I marvel at how quickly my ingrained-since-I-was-5-years-old custom of "waiting my turn in line" could get thrown out the window. Sure, I still wait, but don't cut me off.

Two foreign tourists ride bicycles to tour around the West Lake in Hangzhou city, east Chinas Zhejiang province, July 20, 2013. [IC/Photo]