What I Learned In China
Hey everyone!
Just got back from my trip out east and I must say it was pretty great. I traveled to Shanghai and Xi’an and wanted to go to Beijing as well, but there was just no time! Oh well, hopefully I’ll be back there again.
And since there just isn’t enough space here (nor do I have the energy!) to write down everything that happened, I figured I would give you a mini-sparknotes version of my trip. Naturally, you are more than welcome to ask for more info; however, I’ll at least give a list of the things I learned in China.
To be honest, I learned a lot. I learned about the country, about traveling, about the culture, and about myself as well. It was a great learning experience. And so, without further ado, here is what I learned from my trip to China:
What I Learned in China
- The Chinese are beginning to integrate American culture into their own very rapidly. I saw more KFC’s in Shanghai and Xi’an alone than I think I ever have in the US!
- Pizza Hut in China is not at all like Pizza Hut in America. Not one bit.
- Sichuan food is extremely spicy, even to a person familiar with spicier foods. And the more you eat, the spicier it gets.
- With thousands more years of history than America has, it’s hard to conceptualize just how deeply the Chinese culture sits within the people. It is also impossible to describe how much more complex the culture is because of that history.
- The Chinese can adapt as a people extremely quickly, especially when they want to impress foreign visitors.
- Chinese people do not have the same concept of personal space/privacy and they will stare at you if they find your interesting/unique/unusual.
- It pays to try to meet new people.
- In China cars, scooters, bicycles, and people are all part of traffic and everyone is just as likely to adhere to red lights. Or not. To cross the street, simply walk out into the road in front of moving vehicles. They may come barreling at you, but they’ll stop eventually.
- Except for buses. Chinese buses DO NOT stop.
- Metal detectors in China seem to be more sensitive.
- An 18-hour flight is not as bad as it may sound. It’s the time change that’s disorientating.
- In-flight service is lacking in the US comparatively.
- Jet-lag is perfectly avoidable if you’re smart about it.
- The concept of a line is very different in China. In America, the first one there gets a better spot in line to the desired destination. In China, the fist one to the desired destination is the first one to the desired destination.
- Watching the World Cup in a country other than the US makes the experience 10 times more exciting.
- Sometimes the language barrier is hopelessly large.
- Chinese sales people have no shame at all and are incredibly relentless when it comes to making a sale. They’ll even follow you into the bathroom if they think you’ll buy.
- The air in China is dense. You can literally see/feel the pollution in the air.
- Two-person bikes go faster than single ones.
- Never judge a book by its cover. SERIOUSLY! You never know another person until you spend some quality time with them.
Naturally, there was a whole lot more that I learned/did, but I can’t think of them all now. Feel free to leave your questions in the comments section or send me an email and I will certainly get back to you. Looking forward to my next trip!
Also looking forward to getting back to ASL. 
SUCCESS!
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June 27, 2010
Author: Street Saint
Tags: China, Travel Posted in: General
2 Comments
That’s amazing that you got such an opportunity! And I’m really glad that you want to share what you learn – it puts that much more meaning into what you’ve done, you know?
You and me should go to Thailand someday!
Is that an offer? Because I will certainly take you up on it!!
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