How are you? Is every thing ok with you?

Since I boarded the airplane on July 26 in Hong Kong until I landed in Australia on the 27th, I got a first impression about Australians: they were Easy, Relaxed, Open and Friendly...

I was a little bit surprised when I entered in the airplane of the Australia's Qantas Airways for I found that the air hostesses were not the young girls, as we have been used to see on the Chinese airplanes, but some middle-aged women and men. They are also not in the uniforms as we see in China.

But, soon, I was attracted by their bright smiles and high quality service and forget their age and clothes and I was impressed by something and someone.

One of them was an air hostess with golden air. When I saw her first time, I thought that she should be over 50 years old, but, when I saw her actions and walking, I felt she was only 25. Her steps were so fast, just like a wind. Her actions were so swift that I felt that she should be a sportier so that when she stood by the hairs and to adjust air-conditions quickly. When the night has come, she changed so soft. Taking some blanketry to cover the sleepy passengers lightly and with many smiles, made me think of a kind mother. In the next morning, when she took back the wet towel from us, I heard she spoke with different language to different people friendly. Just a simple "Thanks", she said to me: "Thanks, madam". She said to two young students by me "Thanks, boys". She said to a little girl who was about 5 or 6 years old "Thanks, darling". She said to a girl behind me "Thanks, lovely". She also did not forget to say "You are so talent" when she saw my birds that I had painted on the airplane...

After supper, the two young students from Taiwan and I tried to use the remote control to turn on the TV, to open the lights. We did not know why and when a handsome man with a big smile came by us. He asked the two boys "Would you need help?” The two boys said, "No, thanks! ". Then he asked me that "What can I do for you?" I also answer "No, thank you". Then he smiled and quickly touched a key with a sign of man on it on my remote control. I realized that I had touched a wrong key, so called people.

I have been to 10 countries and many provinces of China by airplanes. I do feel that the smiles on this Australian flight were most bright. When I saw their smiles, I felt so lucky for my son. Just the good service from these great people, my son could start his international travel when he was just 15 years old alone.

An interesting thing that I found was that all of us had to go through an open shop before we went to the customs of Australia. Many people took something from the shelves, then go to the customs with the things. Wow! What open, easy and relaxed style for us to enter a country! What a smart marketing way!

Do you think so?
I am just a learner on that art of painting, music English and Chinese language, to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do a little bit things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be an Electronic Bridge of Culture Exchange, Language Learning & Friendship. To help the others while to improve myself.

I appreciate your understanding, directions and supports. I do hope to get your friendly help...

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or shirleyz004@yahoo.com, or to publish your opinions in the forum.

Shirley Yiping Zhang
Monday, July 28,2008