by James

Spider Man, Spider Man. I get this at least five times a day, on the packed wet subway, in bars, eating baozi on the street in Beijing. At first, it was a completely unnerving experience to be approached by complete strangers demanding that I am a spandex-clad super-hero underneath my button-down Peter Parker work clothes. However I’ve always fantasised about being an undercover vigilante. I’m quite chuffed really that I’m finally being recognised en masse (even if im riding the coat tails of legitimate fame).

I don’t actually think it’s because I look that much like Tobey Maguire. My half Greek friend in India has been called Spider Man too. It’s a combination of things, my face, obviously, and my hair. But also in some literal way, the ability when walking around here to draw an almost super-power awe at my western mannerisms, my subconscious disregard for minute social conventions, my default egalitarianism, my bounding enthusiasm. People would much prefer I was Spider Man than the reality of my actual western-ness, which is way too audacious for any one with regular human powers.

I would much rather be Spider Man too, than the alternative cast: a sensationalist, overbaked cynical White man, already jaded and drunk on my own intellectual arrogance. I’ve seen some tired expats wearing this around, and I want to avoid this at all costs.

Middle ground is so difficult to find, and every assumption I’ve made has been wrong. No, humour isn’t an effective way. No, trying too hard has made it worse. No, shutting up simply shuts me out and shits me off. No one here has asked about me, who I am, where I’m from, what I do, who my friends are, do I play a musical instrument, whats my favourite foods/colours/songs. To do so would be an attack on my privacy, and would display a curiosity unbecoming.

So for the moment I’m Spider Man. I’m the powerful, the unknown, the untouchable. Mystery has built around me in my work place like some kind of visiting dignitary. No one has seen the real Spider Man.

And for now I think we’re both exceptionally happy with this arrangement, for now we’re actually doing all we can to fortify these positions. And at least in this, we’re sharing a common purpose.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »