Matt Schiavenza

Over the past year I have been unable to obtain more than a three-month, single and double visa at any given time, so as a result constantly must be vigilant about the validity of my stay here in China. This has resulted in no small amount of frustration, particularly when other Americans in my position seemingly have very little trouble getting vastly superior visas.

When I submitted my visa application form a few months ago, I was led to believe my request for a one-year multiple-entry visa would be granted. Alas, it wasn’t- and in a moment of pure frustration I loudly swore in the visa office on my way out.

Last week I went back to apply for yet another extension. The officer in charge remembered me. He wasn’t happy, either. Speaking good English, he accused me of swearing at him and of humiliating him. He said that he had no control over my visa and that it wasn’t right for me to be so angry at him.

I mildly protested that I wasn’t swearing at him, that I knew he didn’t make the decision, and that I was merely frustrated with the whole process. But within a minute I began to apologize profusely. Fortunately, the official accepted and shook my hand. ‘A new beginning’, he said.

So I left with my tail between my legs. Lesson learned? Two, actually. One- never assume that the people you deal with in China can’t understand English. Two- intemperate outburts can be easily misinterpreted, and are probably best avoided altogether.