British bookworm keen to save old alley and mix with locals
By Xie Fangyuan |
February 19, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BEN Potter, a Suzhou-based Briton who arrived about three years ago, is passionate about preserving old neighborhoods in Suzhou.
"I live here, so that means I should care about where I live," Potter says. "It doesn't matter whether it's my country or not."
He is general manager of Bookworm Suzhou, a combination of library, bookshop, cafe and restaurant, as well as a space for events, including book discussions, standup comedy and live music.
Like many foreigners, Potter likes the old town area of Suzhou and old neighborhoods of many Chinese cities; he calls them manifestations of the real China.
"In addition to all the great things in China, it's important not to forget its history," he says, stressing that great progress should not be achieved at the cost of forgetting roots.
Potter is disappointed at reckless development that sometimes destroys valuable old architecture and scenic areas, replacing them with modern shopping malls, skyscrapers and industrial parks.
He would like to see greater awareness of the cultural significance of the old town area on Shiquan Street, especially Gunxiufang, an old traditional alley.
Potter lives and works on Gunxiufang. It is losing its ambience fast. It's choked with computer shops and some of it is torn up by drilling and trench construction.
He is part of a group of eight people, including three Chinese shop owners on the alley and five foreigners who want to improve the area.
"We will try to save this very nice area," Potter says.
The group plans to send a proposal on preserving the alley to the local government this year. "If you don't care, you can lose the whole area," he says.
Potter, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 15 years, became interested in China in 2008 when he attended the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. He visited the Bookworm in the capital and was hooked on its cafe ambience and the cultural exchange between Chinese and foreigners.
"There are many Western places, but few provide the opportunity for cultural exchange," Potter says. "But in Bookworm I see English translations of Li Bai and other poets, everyone is together, having drinks, speaking a bit of English and Chinese."
In Beijng, Potter talked to the Bookworm's manager, told him he loved the place and impressed him by his 15-year working experience in restaurants. Potter received an offer at the Suzhou branch two years ago.
"Bookworm is a hub connecting the community in Suzhou," Potter says. "I know everyone around here, so I get ideas what people like."
Potter set up a Chinese corner for foreigners interested in Chinese language and culture where Chinese and expats mingle and laowai can practice their Mandarin.
"Foreigners want to mix with the local Chinese community," he says, "but they don't know how to get in with Chinese groups."
Potter collects books on Chinese culture, all donated, and so far his Bookworm library contains 6,335 volumes.
"In China, libraries cover books for study in Chinese, but if a foreigner is interested in Chinese culture, he really has to try hard to find it," he says.
Potter's work at the Bookworm has pushed him to pick up basic Chinese. Almost all the staff are Chinese.
"When I'm with Chinese suppliers, customers and waiters, I need to speak Chinese," he says, but his Chinese is limited. "I can tell you how to make a chocolate cake in Chinese very well, but when I go to the bank or hospital, it doesn't work."
Potter was exposed to Chinese culture when he was a boy because his father frequently traveled to China on business and returned with paintings and gifts such as the fu character hung upside down for good fortune.
In Suzhou, Potter often drives around in his Beijing Jeep and enjoys camping, hiking and rock climbing on Moganshan Mountain.
Because he has traveled a lot, cultural shock isn't an issue for him, but always "standing out" isn't a good feeling.
"In my country, I'm just a normal, everyday guy," Potter says, "but in China, I'm a laowai no matter how much of the community I am in. Wherever I go, I'm always considered different from the rest."
He is treated differently, not badly, he says.
"When I walk into a restaurant, I'm a foreigner rather than customer. For me it's a problem. I try hard to fit into the community but fail because I look different."
Still, Potter sees Suzhou as his home. He is impressed by what he calls local's "peaceful" attitude and work productivity.
"When they want to build something, they really go for it." Potter says.
"And the whole canal system in the towns around the coast is beautiful and very modern. Suzhou is a natural China and those small alleys without tourists are like a real Chinese city.
Potter hopes to stay in China "as long as it takes," speak fluent Chinese some day and know more about Chinese culture.
"There's so much to see and explore, even if you live in China for 500 years."
Q: What's your favorite place in Suzhou?
A: Pingjiang Road, the Surging Waves Pavilion and Shantang Street.
Q: Favorite dish?
A: Smoked horse meat from Xinjiang restaurant on Shiquan Street; frog hotpot from Wawajiao also on Shiquan Street; braised trout in shape of squirrel from many places around the town.
Age: 32
Nationality: British
Profession: General manager of Bookworm Suzhou
? Strangest sight:I rode a bus to work next to a chicken.
? Worst experience:
A 36-hour hard seat train journey from Shenzhen to Beijing.
? How to improve Suzhou:Make Shiquan Street for pedestrians only. Move computer stores to a less scenic area of the city. Improve taxi service. Stricter parking rules.
? Advice for newcomers:
Open your mind and soak up the experience.
? Motto for life:
It's not the door you choose but the way you walk through it that matters.
"I live here, so that means I should care about where I live," Potter says. "It doesn't matter whether it's my country or not."
He is general manager of Bookworm Suzhou, a combination of library, bookshop, cafe and restaurant, as well as a space for events, including book discussions, standup comedy and live music.
Like many foreigners, Potter likes the old town area of Suzhou and old neighborhoods of many Chinese cities; he calls them manifestations of the real China.
"In addition to all the great things in China, it's important not to forget its history," he says, stressing that great progress should not be achieved at the cost of forgetting roots.
Potter is disappointed at reckless development that sometimes destroys valuable old architecture and scenic areas, replacing them with modern shopping malls, skyscrapers and industrial parks.
He would like to see greater awareness of the cultural significance of the old town area on Shiquan Street, especially Gunxiufang, an old traditional alley.
Potter lives and works on Gunxiufang. It is losing its ambience fast. It's choked with computer shops and some of it is torn up by drilling and trench construction.
He is part of a group of eight people, including three Chinese shop owners on the alley and five foreigners who want to improve the area.
"We will try to save this very nice area," Potter says.
The group plans to send a proposal on preserving the alley to the local government this year. "If you don't care, you can lose the whole area," he says.
Potter, who has been in the restaurant business for more than 15 years, became interested in China in 2008 when he attended the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. He visited the Bookworm in the capital and was hooked on its cafe ambience and the cultural exchange between Chinese and foreigners.
"There are many Western places, but few provide the opportunity for cultural exchange," Potter says. "But in Bookworm I see English translations of Li Bai and other poets, everyone is together, having drinks, speaking a bit of English and Chinese."
In Beijng, Potter talked to the Bookworm's manager, told him he loved the place and impressed him by his 15-year working experience in restaurants. Potter received an offer at the Suzhou branch two years ago.
"Bookworm is a hub connecting the community in Suzhou," Potter says. "I know everyone around here, so I get ideas what people like."
Potter set up a Chinese corner for foreigners interested in Chinese language and culture where Chinese and expats mingle and laowai can practice their Mandarin.
"Foreigners want to mix with the local Chinese community," he says, "but they don't know how to get in with Chinese groups."
Potter collects books on Chinese culture, all donated, and so far his Bookworm library contains 6,335 volumes.
"In China, libraries cover books for study in Chinese, but if a foreigner is interested in Chinese culture, he really has to try hard to find it," he says.
Potter's work at the Bookworm has pushed him to pick up basic Chinese. Almost all the staff are Chinese.
"When I'm with Chinese suppliers, customers and waiters, I need to speak Chinese," he says, but his Chinese is limited. "I can tell you how to make a chocolate cake in Chinese very well, but when I go to the bank or hospital, it doesn't work."
Potter was exposed to Chinese culture when he was a boy because his father frequently traveled to China on business and returned with paintings and gifts such as the fu character hung upside down for good fortune.
In Suzhou, Potter often drives around in his Beijing Jeep and enjoys camping, hiking and rock climbing on Moganshan Mountain.
Because he has traveled a lot, cultural shock isn't an issue for him, but always "standing out" isn't a good feeling.
"In my country, I'm just a normal, everyday guy," Potter says, "but in China, I'm a laowai no matter how much of the community I am in. Wherever I go, I'm always considered different from the rest."
He is treated differently, not badly, he says.
"When I walk into a restaurant, I'm a foreigner rather than customer. For me it's a problem. I try hard to fit into the community but fail because I look different."
Still, Potter sees Suzhou as his home. He is impressed by what he calls local's "peaceful" attitude and work productivity.
"When they want to build something, they really go for it." Potter says.
"And the whole canal system in the towns around the coast is beautiful and very modern. Suzhou is a natural China and those small alleys without tourists are like a real Chinese city.
Potter hopes to stay in China "as long as it takes," speak fluent Chinese some day and know more about Chinese culture.
"There's so much to see and explore, even if you live in China for 500 years."
Q: What's your favorite place in Suzhou?
A: Pingjiang Road, the Surging Waves Pavilion and Shantang Street.
Q: Favorite dish?
A: Smoked horse meat from Xinjiang restaurant on Shiquan Street; frog hotpot from Wawajiao also on Shiquan Street; braised trout in shape of squirrel from many places around the town.
Age: 32
Nationality: British
Profession: General manager of Bookworm Suzhou
? Strangest sight:I rode a bus to work next to a chicken.
? Worst experience:
A 36-hour hard seat train journey from Shenzhen to Beijing.
? How to improve Suzhou:Make Shiquan Street for pedestrians only. Move computer stores to a less scenic area of the city. Improve taxi service. Stricter parking rules.
? Advice for newcomers:
Open your mind and soak up the experience.
? Motto for life:
It's not the door you choose but the way you walk through it that matters.
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