nwasianweekly.com
Jan. 26, 2008

Photo by Luo Xiaoguang/Xinhua

Volunteers in official uniforms of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games sing the theme song of the one-year countdown, “We are Ready,” during an uniform unveiling ceremony at Renmin University of China, in Beijing Jan. 20, 2008. Pictured, above right, are the five colorful Olympic mascots, known collectively as the Fuwa.

We’re smiling at you!

By Pete DeMola
Northwest Asian Weekly

Most are familiar with China’s steady ascension to her moment in the sun. For the past six years, since China’s successful bid to hold the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the government has been trumpeting one economic success story after another. There are anti-expectorating, shoving and cursing campaigns, and even advertisements that urge the populace to “Be Civilized and Set Good Examples” by smiling more and refraining from booing foreign competitors during the athletic competitions.

But often, the human faces behind these gargantuan efforts are overlooked.

“At the beginning of the 20th century,” according to the 201-page Official Volunteer Handbook, “Chinese people began dreaming of their participation in the Olympic Games. First they learned of the existence of the Olympics, then they worked hard to know more about them, and finally they are fully participating in the Games.”

One of those who has capitalized on this full civic participation is Li Yi Meng, who goes by Lucy, a self-described “friendly and easy-going” 25-year-old engineer at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and one of the two cherubic volunteers who was willing to share her insights.

“I want to help people from the bottom of my heart,” she said in English and laughed as she twirled one of the five multicolored Olympic “Smile” bracelets around her wrist. “You know, since the Olympics are such a huge thing happening here in China, I wanna take part in some way, not as an athlete, but as a volunteer.”

This native Beijing woman applied last year on the Internet — the recruitment drive kicked off on Aug. 28 — and did so in order to nurture the feelings of national pride, a sentiment that echoes that of millions of citizens nationwide.

Pride is ubiquitous throughout the capital city: in advertisements, overheard chatter and from the students at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics — where the weightlifting competition will be held — who were recently seen happily splashing paint on each other while painting murals of athletic prowess and heartwarming iconography.

“I’ll be proud of myself as one of the Olympic family, and it’s a good opportunity to know people from all over the world,” Lucy said when I asked her what the best part was of the entire volunteer experience. “And everyone is so enthusiastic, too!”

So what are these multitudes of highly motivated volunteers with altruistic intentions going to be doing?

“Ask me!” is the principal motto for the enthusiastic brigade of volunteers who’ll be dispatched — 100,000 strong — to the streets in August to assist the legions of international visitors as they shuffle confusedly through the most flamboyant and cheerful coming-out party that the world has ever seen.

You can ask these volunteers just about anything, from where to catch a shuttle to the cheapest place to grab a beer and escape the scathing heat of a Beijing summer.

“People will basically come to ask us for information,” Lucy said. “We’ll be giving out maps to Houhai (Xicheng’s quaint lakeside entertainment district) and we have surprise gifts, too!”

Look for the official, circular booths manned with chipper folks donned in oversized polo shirts. “There are about 20 per district as this time,” said Lucy. “And I’m sure that there will be more.”

At times, many foreigners, this writer included, cynically brush away the droves of supposed “helpers” who flock around Beijing’s landmarks, like the fawning girls who lurk on Beijing’s Fifth Avenue, Wangfujing — “Would you like to get some tea?” — or those pesky “art students” who wander aimlessly through Tiananmen Square in search of benefactors.

“What should Olympic-goers look for?” I asked. “How can they be sure that you guys are for real?”

To avoid getting swindled by an unscrupulous entrepreneur, make sure to check their outfits — the aforementioned shirts and white hats emblazoned with the “Ask me!” insignia — and stellar linguistic skills. Most of the volunteers are proficient in English, no small task in a country where the language is not widely spoken.

“And we don’t go out of the station into the street,” said Lucy. “We don’t say ‘Come, come, COME!’” she said, laughing.

So, don’t worry, you’re in good hands, at least for the 18-day duration of what’s likely to be the premiere cultural, athletic and educational event of the decade. If you make it to Beijing, be sure to take advantage of the volunteers’ services.

“So don’t ignore us, because we’re smiling at you!” Lucy implored. “Please tell your friends and family what we’re doing and who we are!”

Pete DeMola can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Send correspondence to:
Northwest Asian Weekly • P.O. Box 3468 • Seattle • WA  98114
Tel: 206.223.5559 •  Fax: 206.223.0626 • Email: info@nwasianweekly.com
Please bookmark this site: www.nwasianweekly.com.