在京生活22年 62歲美國大爺想加入'西城大媽'

Gao Tianrui, a 62-year-old American man, has become an internet celebrity after creating a video to apply to become a "Xicheng Dama".

因在一個視頻中要申請成爲“西城大媽”，62歲的美國人高天瑞已經成了一位網絡名人。

"Xicheng Dama" refers to a group of volunteers who roam Xicheng District in central Beijing acting as public security volunteers. 70% of them are female aged 58 to 65.

“西城大媽”指的是一羣穿梭在北京市市中心的西城區的治安志願者。他們中70%都是年齡在58歲到65歲的女性。

He's lived in Beijing for 22 years, but first arrived in Taiwan from the US to learn the language in 1973.

高天瑞已經在北京生活了22年了，不過他最早是在1973年從美國到臺灣學的中文。

"I'm more than interested in China and Chinese language," said Gao, "I love China's traditional Taoism culture."

高天瑞說：“我不僅喜歡中國和中國的語言，我還熱愛中國傳統的道家文化。”

His Chinese name was given to him by the captain of the ship he took to Taiwan. His English name is Terry Crossman.

他的中文名字是開往臺灣的郵輪上的船長給取的，他的英文名叫Terry Crossman。

Majoring in the Chinese language and culture studies in university, Gao would move back to the United States, working in New York after graduation. He was eventually transferred by his company to work in Hong Kong.

高天瑞的大學專業是中國語言和文化，畢業後他又到美國紐約工作了一段時間。他最終又被派到公司在香港的辦事處工作。

"During the 12 years in Hong Kong, I learned how to speak Cantonese and had two children with my wife from Singapore," said Gao.

高天瑞說，“在香港的12年裏，我學會了講粵語，期間有了新加坡籍的愛人和兩個孩子。”

Gao Tianrui was then transferred to his company's Beijing office in 1995.

1995年，高天瑞跟隨公司設置的辦事處轉到北京工作。

However, Gao now finds himself in a bind, as his office in Beijing has now shut down, and he would prefer to remain in Beijing.

然而，高天瑞現在陷入了困境，因爲他的公司在北京的辦事處撤銷了，但他仍傾向於留在北京。

"I'm acquainted with many foreigners here," said Gao. "Sometimes I go to the pub with my buddies and listen to blues. I've already received offers from some companies, yet we haven't signed a contract. It's regrettable that there isn't a retiree's visa in China. As for whether I can stay in Beijing, let it be."

他說，“在這裏我認識了很多外國人，偶爾我會和他們一起去酒吧聽聽藍調。目前已經有公司給我發來了工作邀請，但不知道能不能最終簽下合同。這裏沒有退休簽證，對我來說很遺憾，至於能不能留在北京，順其自然吧。”