Four stars and a strong supporting cast

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China’s population is more than 1.3 billion, so people are clearly among the country’s greatest natural resources. And it’s making great use of that asset here at the Olympics -- which can be a little off-putting for Westerners used to their privacy.

Take the four-star media hotel where we’re staying. (Don’t be misled by the stars. Though the hotel is extremely clean and comfortable by most standards, the Chinese appear to be very generous when it comes to giving out stars.)

Even at 7 in the morning there are nearly a dozen energetic workers standing behind the check-in desk (never mind the fact no one is checking in). As a result, anyone walking by is subject to a bright and cheery ‘good morning, sir!’ from any hotel worker within shouting distance.

There are at least two workers posted around the corner at the elevator (one for each elevator, apparently) to push the ‘up’ button for guests wanting to go to their rooms. They never ask to see your room key. They’re just there to push the button.

And for those of us who aren’t as thin and fit as we were in college, the fitness center and pool is definitely off limits, because there are two workers posted there at all times as well.

If you want to go for a swim, or use the ancient treadmill or the weight machine, they will stand there and watch. And, presumably, try hard not to laugh.

I’d just as soon strain to bench-press 60 pounds in private, thank you very much! I don’t think I’ll be visiting the fitness center again.

Still, everyone I’ve run into here has been unfailingly polite (except, maybe, some of the Western journalists. But they don’t count). Virtually everybody has been taught some English, greeting you with a pleasant ‘hello’ or ‘good morning.’

That, however, is frequently all they can say, so when you have a complicated question, what generally takes place next is a little street theater as each side tries to pantomine what it is they’re trying to say.

I must say that my acting while asking for an ironing board and iron on Monday deserved an Emmy. It was not only believeable but successful, since when I returned to my room both items were waiting for me.

Like the silent half of Penn and Teller, I may be wise to stick to nonverbal communication while in Beijing. Since all of my previous foreign travels have been to Latin America, I reflexively find myself responding to any broken English with Spanish.

I’ve already been told twice that ‘si’ does not mean ‘yes’ in Chinese.

-- Kevin Baxter