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Since arriving in Beijing in February, everything about the city has amazed me, especially the helping mentality of its residents. Strangers literally go out of their way to help, like walking with you to show the place you’re looking for or to find the transfer train you can’t find yourself. They apologize to you for not knowing your language! In a few weeks, I learned that all that I read on the internet about the people of Beijing was wrong. They are courteous and kind. Even customer service at stores and government offices is generally good despite the language barrier. With that in mind, I went to a post office to send a gift overseas. There was no queue. The only other customer was a lady who had just finished her transaction. A well-dressed man in his 30s looked at me from behind the counter and nodded. I moved forward and said I would like to send a parcel overseas. I had not sealed the two items because I thought the agent might want to see them. I showed them to him and explained that they were a gift. He looked at and felt them. “OK, give me your passport,” the man said. Oops! I’d forgotten to take my passport with me. I showed him my China Daily ID card, instead. “That’s not your passport,” he said. I opened my cellphone and showed him a scan of my Chinese visa. | 
