What they don't tell you in advance! Well, here it is. The real life of China from a foreigner’s point of view (well just mine really). We are embarking on our second contract in China and it has been a real eye opening experience. Most of it good, great and fantastic… some of it..well make up your own mind.... 1- China time While we rush around getting ‘things done’ everyone else works on China time. If you’re told it will be ready tomorrow, expect it to be ready next week and still only half ready… takes some getting used to but you soon grow accustomed. Don't lose your temper if you have to wait, the Chinese see this as a sign of weakness and they will think less of you for doing so. Just be straight to the point and explain your not happy. 2- Spitting Spitting is a norm on the streets of china and no one bats an eye to it. My advice, watch where you walk and try not to go ewwwwwwwwwww every five minutes. It still freaks me out a bit when you see some gorgeous 21 year old dressed up the nines, hacking up and spitting on the street but hey ho, it’s just the way it is. Most big cities in China are trying to eradicate spitting in public and you do see people spit into tissues. In the schools I work in Children spit into the bin or tissues as they are very well educated on the HN17 virus and how it spreads. 3-Smoking Smoking, everyone smokes in China and everyone expects you to smoke too so if you don’t and you don’t have a spare gas mask be prepared to wake up like you have smoked 20 fags on your first few nights.. You soon get used to sitting near the window or door… People smoke everywhere, supermarkets, pubs, clubs, restaurants and even hospitals…. People will offer you cigarettes on the street and will see it as rude if you do not accept the gift. 4- Dogs While not all Chinese eat dogs, some do and don’t be surprised if they are on the menu.I have seen it on the menu and being prepared. In the city I lived in though dogs are spoiled and one of the family. Most of them are poodle type and they are dressed up in dungarees and with their fur dyed pink…. it’s all very strange. I still have a giggle when I see a poodle wearing the same dress as its owner complete with matching pumps Expect to see dogs in the supermarkets too and I wouldn't buy anything that’s too near the floor, leave that to your imagination… 5- Medical Bring paracetamol… you can’t get anything in my city or anywhere I have visited that is nearly as effective and also mosquito spray, it seems much stronger back home than here. Some bigger cities like Hong Kong will have the right kind of western medicine but not smaller cities. another issue (for ladies) is buying tampons, these are unheard of in the smaller ares and very expensive in big cities too, bring a supply or use towels which come in a mind boggling variety of sizes... ha ha 6- Kids trousers The first time I experienced this was in Yangshao. Babies/Toddlers wearing trousers with holes in the back of them for easy exit… hmm very odd! Little bits all over the place mums holding the baby/toddler up for a wee or a poop right there on the street, another thing to dodge while walking! Its a good thing for non use of disposable nappies :) 7- Staring People stare… oh my goodness do they stare! They scream at you or shout WOW or just stop dead in front of you so you nearly fall over them… drives you crazy. They also want to take your picture and sneaky pic taking when they think you’re not looking… wouldn’t mind but it always happens when you look a mess.. 8- Shop assistants This is a real bug bear for me; shop assistants follow you around the shop like you’re going to steal something! They occasionally have a giggle with their friend and point at you still giggling and follow you some more….arrrgghhhhhhh. The problem is they are like personal shoppers and as soon as you chose something, they have it off the hanger and at the till before you have chance to change your mind…lol They really are only trying to help you chose but it does get annoying, even just buying shampoo can be a nightmare! 9- Queuing Whoever gets to the front first gets served first. This is the norm in China. If you’re standing in a queue and there is another queue next to you, the person in the next queue is in front of you they just walk right in front of you to the till. You find yourself becoming very protective of your personal queue space and guarding it like you own it . your trolly becomes a super weapon in the fight for your personal space... 10- Food Eating is a big social event in China. People sit around a table with lots of different dishes that get turned around on a lazy Susan. You have to be fast with your chopsticks or miss out. Once the food is finished, they leave… simple as that. No shooting the breeze or having a few beers… eat and go. 11- Alcohol Be prepared to Gānbēi everyone at the table, it’s seen as rude if you don’t. This is fine if you’re drinking beer but when its wine or bijou (rice wine) be prepared for a major hangover… 12- Workmanship If it doesn't fit, make it fit…. The approach is definitely not the same as UK standards and you often see things that look half finished but are in fact completed. 13- Slang Even when you learn some of the language, each area has its own slang (bit like England north and south) so when using a translation website be aware that the locals will look at you and start laughing if you have pronounced it wrong. Don’t let this put you off trying though as they will always correct you and still laugh at you like you’re a loon when you try…. It’s all good fun. I remember my husband proudly telling a lady at our regular haunt that her food was 'delicious' and wondering why she looked disgusted at him and walked off. Later we found out he had said, 'your food was dick'.... hey ho... slip of the tone. 14- Hierarchy Don’t be offended if you’re sat at a table with a load of people and some don’t talk to you. I have experienced this on many occasions. They will, however stare at you intently while you’re talking to someone but if you look and smile they will look away. This is usually hierarchy and not meant to be rude. My headmaster (male one) has never spoken to me but it’s because he doesn't socialise with the teachers. I think also it’s because his English isn’t so great and he doesn’t want to lose face. 15- Health and safety Anything goes and I do mean ANYTHING! Wires hanging out, overloaded Lorries and buses and 5+ people on a taxi bike…including shopping. Oh wow! Watch where you’re walking (again) they don’t close off the paths or roads if they are digging it up and it takes ages for broken drain covers to be fixed. In China if you fall down or over something, then it’s your own stupid fault for not looking where you’re going… no blame and claim here! 16- Clothes sizing If you’re any size over a UK 10 you will have problems finding clothes. If your tall you will have problems finding clothes and if you have feet larger than a size 7 mens you will have problems finding shoes! A size 14 is XXXL over here..So everything you try on or next to you makes you look like a heifer! Don’t be surprised if shop assistants laugh when you’re looking at the clothing, they are nervous and not taking the mick out of you….well not all the time anyway. Most ladies trousers go up to a 27 inch waist and the most I have seen is a 30…. Tiny! It’s a nightmare trying to find anything to fit so far in 9 months I have found 1 skirt, 2 pairs of trousers and 3 t-shirts despite dropping 4 stone! You get very used to hearing the shop assistants say ‘Mayo’ which means no more. 17- Haggling This is a sport in China and most shops and stalls relish in making a few quid out of a foreigner so don’t be afraid to ask for a lower price. If you do haggle be aware that if a price is agreed you will have to buy it. It’s very rude if you don’t. Usually if it has a price on it it can't be haggled so dont try... 18- Transport There are 4 main forms of public transport. Motorbike taxi, Car taxi,Tuk tuk and bus. Motorbikes will carry as many as 5 people, if you can get on you can travel… including baggage. I have seen a bike taxi 3 up with driver and the passengers scoffing noodles as they zip up the main high street, dodging cars and buses. Car taxi’s are pretty strict on how many they carry but if it’s a short distance pile in! Tuk Tuks are cheap but small and always feel like they will tip over going round a corner. Buses carry as many as can squeeze in… they are hanging out of the doors windows and I’m sure if they could get on the roof they would… its crazy. 19- Personal space This is unheard of, there is no such thing as distance. If I take a picture, a stranger is hanging over my shoulder to look at it. If I’m standing in a queue someone is touching me. It makes you very defensive about your personal space. Nothing is sacred, if your phone goes off they will pick it up and look at it…. They think nothing of flicking through your pictures on your phone if you show them one, they will whip it away and flick to their hearts content so filter any you may not want seen by half of China. 20-Toilets CARRY TOILET ROLL! One of the very first experiences I had with a chinese squat hole was a very steep learning curve for me. I passed a lady on my way to the toilet who had orange peel shoved up her nose, I tried very hard not to laugh but I think she had the last laugh. Oh my Goodness.... you seriously don't need signs telling you where the toilets are... just follow your nose... Its gross! I have to say not all toilets are the same and some are immensely clean.... this one however WAS NOT! Walking through the door trying to see through watering eyes I passed a man, I looked back at the door to check it was ladies and it was.... The chinese also have unisex toilets and they are quite happy to use the same area. Most of the toilets don't have doors which I found very strange, this usually happens in same sex toilets Thank god! Another strange experience was nipping to the loo in a school we were visiting and one of the primary students walking past me saying "Hello Teacher" I never used a school loo again! After a while of living in China you become less bothered about situations and you pop in do your stuff and out... hardly blinking an eye at what's happening next door to you...lol your thigh muscles can crack walnuts after a few months of squatting... 21-Etiquette The guest of honor is always placed at the head of the room, facing the door. Present a gift with both hands. Gifts are generally not opened upon receiving. Chinese women rarely smoke or drink. However, it is acceptable for Western women to do so moderately. Don't stab at your food during a meal, if you haven't mastered the chopsticks ask for a fork, if you persevere and use the sticks as a scoop it wont be frowned upon but you might have the person next to you putting food into your bowl so you don't starve. Don't put a business card in your back pocket. Do not put your feet on a desk or table, its considered rude to show the soles of the feet. Don't give gifts in denominations of 4, this signifies death and is very unlucky. By Melanie Newman. |
2 Comments
7/22/2014 03:56:07 pm
the Chinese see this as a sign of weakness and they will think less of you for doing so. Just be straight to the point and explain your not happy.
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Jared
7/22/2014 09:10:29 pm
Hi, to what do you refer?
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