I hate to admit this, but the longer I am here the more unimpressive China becomes. Before I came to China I thought of China as a magnificent place with incredible people- just the brainwashing of books. I learned otherwise, and the only thing that keeps me here are the few deep relationships I have with some people and some of my students.
Whether I have to choose between being Eastern and Western, glad I'm Western. At least I greet lowly doorman at the gate and thank my food server at the canting instead of treating them like garbage. And even some of these people think they are superior to foreigners for just being Chinese.
I've come to accept China for what it is- China. That keeps me sane.