Daniel Otero THERE is a phenomena happening with greater emphasis. This “fever,” “fad” or maybe social occurrence isn’t only happening in China, but around the globe, especially during the pandemic. And let’s hope that it doesn’t essentially disappear or fade away as soon as the virus is over. Now with vaccines coming out, people want to learn to live again and put what many described as a “crazy year” all behind. Encounter groups are forming, and people are coming out more to socialize and gather in groups of 10 or 20 to talk about their feelings. It is happening with more frequency and people just want to relieve their stress and tension by talking to others. It’s a coming out of sorts! What people are mostly looking for is a literal “sound board” to relieve their sadness after listening to so much suffering during this past year. This is incredibly amazing (and in a good way), given the fact that some Chinese are shy about their private matters. It is to talk and listen with empathy about the issues and struggles of others during their daily lives. This commonality began “erupting” this past April, as the population began coming out of quarantine to interact and mingle again. Basically, it was a way to live again and feel alive! In many ways, the isolation period and the large amounts of problems happening worldwide affected us all. “No one is an island” and furthermore, no one is immune to what has transpired across the globe. More and more individuals have started creating groups to sit down and talk about their lives. I, for one, started joining several groups here in Shenzhen to be social again and talk about things which bothered me in the past and present. I started with the Philosophy Club and later jumped into a Literary one. It didn’t mean I wasn’t busy or others weren’t with work, but when time allowed, it was that moment to go out with mask in tow, join these groups downtown if they followed the law and social interaction was permitted. I didn’t stop there and neither did others, since I heard the same thing happening to most of the people whom I knew throughout China. Friends from Changsha, Hunan, had joined the English salon group “I Can” to feel less lonely, go out for dinners, experiment outdoor tramping and talk about love, relationships, problems, daily difficulties and so forth. Here in the city of Shenzhen, it was groups like “Walky Talkie” to enjoy nature and hikes and to unwind from all the pressures that society had imposed on us all. These groups kept sprouting everywhere and suddenly, people by the end of 2020 and starting in 2021 wanted to feel more positive and live life all over again to the fullest, because, it is certainly good to be alive. These groups have certainly become bigger and bigger. Many of these organizations are composed of hundreds of members, like the Spanish-group “Rincon” (or “Corner” in English) Shenzhen. For those who are searching and looking for something to help them feel better, there is always a way. Because people need to be kinder to each other and listen more without losing our vital essence, which is our humanity and social interaction. However, one important factor is that these groups are built on respect, tolerance and trust. It’s what brought us to these groups in the first place. For those who are too shy to talk in English or who shy anyway from emotions and from large groups, the city of Shenzhen provides a good base for sports and leisure activities, including dancing, aerobics, weights and gymnasium exercises. The point of the matter is, with these various groups growing and expanding to help others’ needs, there is always a group or encounter group to listen to and join according to personal wants and desires. These groups are a way to help others, as well as a way to help ourselves. Therefore, start searching for what is best for you, join and see what happens. But one thing I can say, the changes will help you and will be surprisingly magnificent! (The author is originally from New York City working as a teacher at the Shenzhen Guangming Foreign Languages School.) | 