Project Report: Yum Cha Book Club

Introduction

The Yum Cha Book Club, which translates to “Drink Tea and Book Club,” was created to foster connections within the Chinese community, specifically among Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking neighbours. With funding from The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program, this initiative aimed to bridge cultural divides through the shared enjoyment of tea and literature.

First Meeting

In the first meeting, participants included individuals from Mainland China who brought a deep-rooted appreciation for traditional tea and religious literature. However, I faced a significant challenge: many participants were conservative and reluctant to express their views openly, likely due to cultural norms shaped by their backgrounds.

Initially, I thought I needed to convince them to share their opinions. However, I soon realized that leading by example was more effective. I began by sharing my thoughts, and to my surprise, the participants responded spontaneously, ultimately sharing their views more freely than I had expected. This shift in communication made the meeting engaging and enriching for everyone involved.

Second Meeting

For the second meeting, I invited individuals from Hong Kong and Canton, it introduced a new set of challenges as participants gathered to discuss English soccer while enjoying English tea. Despite the common language, I discovered that our different allegiances to rival soccer teams created a barrier. Supporters of opposing teams often embody fierce loyalty, and discussions could quickly become tense.

To navigate this challenge, I chose to acknowledge the flaws of my own team first. This act of humility encouraged the others to reciprocate, leading to a more respectful and light-hearted conversation. By recognizing that every team has strengths and weaknesses, we built rapport, allowing for humour and camaraderie amidst our friendly rivalry.