电视上，办公室里，还有理发店里，老师比比皆是。新闻从业者也时不时被称为“媒体老师”。这可能是“子曰：三人行必有我师”的应用扩大化。称呼对方为老师，既表示尊重，也表示自谦——将自己放在学生的位置上，随时聆听教诲。当然，有时也是种恭维，为了办事方便。除了日常生活，我们谈论家国天下时也爱用“师生”的比喻。例如隋唐和古日本的交往。遣隋使、遣唐使远渡中国，从政体文艺到科学技术均师法“天朝”，对其本国文化影响深远，京都城建仿长安就是一例。比喻基于史实，只不过谦逊的色彩淡了一点。当然，国际舞台上的“师生”地位也不是一成不变。变的时候，往往“老师”的心里苦不堪言。清末朝堂之上一句“师夷长技以制夷”大概最能概括那种心情。而三十年河东、三十年河西这种事，则让回望历史有了种“超快感”。现在，已经有人开始嫉妒中国的5G发展了。如果我们看问题的视角再抬高一些，当大自然决定当一回老师，全人类都是学生。面对新冠疫情这一科目，基本每个国家都是挂科重修。不同的是，有一些国家至今拒绝承认自己挂科，坚信要么是老师判错了分数，或者和别的同学考的不是同一张试卷。9月10日是中国的教师节，一个谈论尊师重教的日子。但从“三人行必有我师”的角度，谦逊应该也是节中之意。无论是Tony老师，还是媒体老师，都不会因为我们尊重对方的专业性，就开讲洗剪吹或新闻6要素。在国际舞台上，“师生”关系之所以被称为“合作”，不是面子裹挟，而是因为每个国家都有自己的弱项，可以一帮一、一对红。当疫情来临，谦逊或许比所有人生智慧都更为重要，因为骄傲的代价是死亡。
Sidelines | Lessons on China's Teacher's Day
Sidelines is a Column with CGTN's Social Media Desk.
In Chinese, a teacher is called "laoshi." However, a teacher is not the only one for whom this word is used. This word has such a broad range that it can be used to address almost any professional in China – from a nuclear expert to a hairdresser. Excessive usage of this word has somewhat diminished the respect it beholds. However, those who know the depths of this word, use it with caution.Originally, this word conveys a sense of reverence and humility, as teaching is considered one of the most noble occupations in China. A number of Chinese philosophers have highlighted the importance of this profession, eulogizing the role that teachers play in one's life. "Within every party of three, at least one of the two is good enough to be my teacher," said Confucius.Going deeper, one can say that this word lies at the heart of what defines a master-pupil relationship. Addressing a person as your teacher essentially means accepting subservience to the addressee's expertise from which you expect to benefit. However, how one views this master-pupil relationship changes when international relations are involved: the teacher and the student become "partners" and the act of "learning" is reduced to a more diplomatically correct term – "inspiration." Nonetheless, the fundamental nature of exchange remains the same. For example, it is common view in China that Japan was a "student" of China. Historical facts attest to this understanding. Ships of Japanese envoys were dispatched to Sui and Tang courts. They brought home Chinese creations, both tangible and intangible, that significantly informed the Japanese culture. Even the layout of the Japanese city of Kyoto is based on Chang'an, now known as Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.At the same time, the teacher-pupil relationship changes as geopolitics shift. For example, by the end of imperial China, Japan had switched course by remodelling itself on the Western systems, while the Qing court had only slowly emerged from its delusion of supremacy in the face of gunboats sent to its shores by the foreign powers it used to look down upon. Fast forward to the present-day world, China is leading the 5G race. It is no longer a "student" trailing in the race for the best next-generation technologies but pioneering them. And this seems to have irked those who are used to taking the lead.The rise and fall of one's position as a global leader is a great lesson in humility. It teaches one the importance of staying united to counter the hardships. The fight against COVID-19 is an example of one such hardship, which the world cannot overcome unless the experiences are shared and lessons learnt.While some countries are trying hard to learn how to contain the deadly coronavirus, some are busy shifting blame – a trick played by a mischievous schoolchild afraid of the teacher's disciplining. With the onset of domestic political infighting, such as the kind triggered by a presidential election, admitting to blunders and studying the success of others is considered a political suicide. But this is the kind of act that may actually save the lives of millions.China marked its Teacher's Day on September 10. And the lesson this year is to stay humble and make room for mutual learning, without worrying about who is the real "laoshi" and who is not.