Ever feel cramped? Maybe your dorm room is a little too small, or someone crowded in front of you in the lunch line. Either way we all could use a little more personal space once in awhile. A few group members learned of the Chinese concept of personal space on an ill-timed bus ride in Beijing.

My two esteemed colleagues and myself arrived at #52 bus stop shortly after 6:00 p.m., April 6, 1999. We had trudged, tired from a day of shopping and sightseeing in the heart of Beijing, along the rows of bus stops searching for our ride. Upon arrival at "our sign" we stood and waited with a group that rivaled in size the entire Principia community. While enduring the all too common looks of surprise from the Chinese commuters, I hypothesized that the bus may not have room for all of us. And as the thronging crowd continued to mount around the blue and white sign, I was sure that this would not be like the school bus.

As old #52, "The Chariot of the People," came into sight, a collection of commuters pressed against the windows, I knew that the "personal space" I cherished so dearly was soon to be violated. As the bus pulled to a stop, the crowd surged forward, curtailed only by the equally eager commuters attempting to exit the bus. As the groups met pandemonium ensued. Caught in the middle, the Americans quickly learned that a commute in China is another form of social Darwinism.

The struggle to get onto the bus was rivaled only by the battle to close the door. Bells ringing and sirens sounding, several Chinese commuters were pinned between the door and the crowd. Faces smashed against the plastic windows in expressions of tortured joy as #52 bus rolled from our stop, leaving commuting pros behind while the American novices ran the gauntlet.

Once we were on the bus the value of good hygiene became wholly evident. Pressed together (most likely in Principian Pledge violation) we survived the on /off flow of the masses. Huddled together against the hurricane of bodies, we survived the onslaught like true professionals. Emerging from the melee at our stop we walked away subtle champions, having won the battle, but probably not the war. Walking into the waning light of an early spring evening we all had new definitions of personal space, and yet another story to tell from our adventure in China.

-Andy Wheeler