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Q: Good things about China?
We all, including myself, rant day to day on China and the stupid things it does and how the uncouth people act, but I find myself ranting too much at times and forget about the really good times that had, all in all, made my life in China really not too bad. So maybe we can list some things we appreciate or our good relationships with Chinese people. I'll begin, Dalian trip, 2009, stayed at a local apartment/hotel and in a traditional community, every morning and evening as my wife and I strolled around, people sitting and drinking tea would stand up when I walked by and beckon me to sit, drink and chat with them, instead of just gawking at my laowei self, they treated me very well and made me feel quite at home, actually, better than home.
I love living in China, and the reason is the leisurely lifestyle. I teach English and Western History at a university; my job is great, and I have so much free time for pursing my own interests.
Considering how hard most people in the world work, and how little personal fulfillment that gives them, I am in an enviable position.
While living in the South of China, I experienced the same kind of reactions as you were describing. I found it easy to win people over (espeically old people) just by smiling at them. Now I live in the North.
CARLGODWIN1983:
Is the North that bad? I lived in CHengdu. More northern than Shenzhen, but not Inner Mongolia territory.
In saying this Beijing hasn't been too enjoyable unless it's been talking to other foreigners whilst waiting for luggage lost in delays.
Short skirts, long legs, hotpants, cute smiles, Tsingtao Beer, Harbin Beer, trips to Yunnan, 羊肉串, Qingdao summers.
Your example is also one of the things I like most about China. The hospitality here, especially in smaller cities and villages, is just unreal. People are so genuinely friendly and interested and willing to share their food with a complete stranger. I also think China has some really stunning places and I love the diversity. The challenge of living here is getting around to visiting all these places. I also love roof top bars and cozy cafes amidst tree-lined trees in the summer.
when you go to a city that has great, low priced food stalls
I have to agree with the comments... Sure we are all constantly amazed (?) sometimes how badly behaved the majority are.. But the friendliness is hard to beat. I took a trip last year - alone - to Jiuzaigou. Being the only 'foreigner' on the bus I was befriended by all... escorted around and never felt alone or out of place.
Days like this in Beijing - blue skies, a beer on a rooftop bar in the Hutongs...something truly special to me.
Legs and hot nights just wish I could get a real motorcycle in China.
I don't have to drive, pay rent, or buy plane tickets
Scandinavian:
this would also be a valid statement for a bum living under a bridge in Chicago !
rasklnik:
Well, I could say, as a person who hates driving, I have a better quality of life in china, not having a car than I would in America.
Nice post, techezee. I've been sick of the constant streams of negativity here, including people who seem to have an odd agenda, even though I've been guilty of it myself. I always judge a place by the food and people. The food is the most important part, though.
I love the 羊肉串, or lamb skewers, in Xiangyang (Hubei) and Changsha; the 灌汤包, or Soup Dumplings, in Xiangyang (Hubei); the Chinese Hamburgers with brown sauce in Anhui province; the 扣肉 and 红烧肉 in pretty much any province (one of my favorite foods here), and... Xiangyang BBQ.
There are some genuinely nice people in China. I found it really difficult to remain angry yesterday at the PSB, because of how helpful random strangers are.
That and. Baozi & Rou Jia Mou
Scandinavian:
no, actually The Pet Shop Boys is one of my favorite ways of blocking out the noise from people speaking loud around me
TedDBayer:
I wanted something different to listen and remember China with, I listened to the Pet Shop Boys, DL all there albums in China. First song I listened to in China while floating down the Li River, Ramones, I want to Be Sedated.
Scandinavian:
My fallback on the mp3 player is "Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence" I find it nicely ironic to have that playing at full whack to try to overcome people spitting on the bus
CARLGODWIN1983:
Excellent music choices!
I have this on my iTunes.
Oh, what a party we could all have.
Had a couple of weeks of BCD's, so my comments have reflected as much lately. mea culpa.
I have said before, that when the Chinese do make you a family or a freind, and when they decide to genuinely be polite, they really put Emily Post to shame.
Mom came to visit last year. She is nearly 80.
In the subway, just before she sat on the last remaining seat, some 20 yo kid took it instead. before I was able to say anything, everyone else started to yell at the kid, until finally he got up and gave my mom the seat.
Thanks for the question Techezee! I think it is important to be reminded why we choose to stay in china, even when we have our bad days!
It's not too far from some other top destinations in the world such as Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea etc., I love the game place setups more so than back home. Here they have those double sided arcade machines where you can't see the opponent you are facing. Unlike back home where you have to stand shoulder to shoulder to compete against one another. Everything is convenient! You can take a bus, subway or taxi. ALthough I prefer not to take the taxi since the spike in the rates!
Ha ha, I said: "take"!!
Variety of food - 
conversation with strangers - thumbs up natural beauty- thumbs up
I enjoy the comedy in the news.
China version:
Chinese officials have blamed algae outbreaks on unusually warm seas.
Science version:
massive algae blooms feed off of high levels of nitrites and phosphates in the water, which typically comes from agricultural waste, industrial pollution, or human sewage from highly populated areas.
"large concentrations of anything can be problematic."
There could be a risk of skin inflammation, said Bolch. "If you were stupid enough to go in, I wouldn't go in naked."
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/05/world/asia/china-algae-green-blob/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
I just wish I could spend more time in China. I loved every minute I was there. Maybe the bad experiences are in the bigger cities in the north. Like New York the city of brotherly shove.
GuilinRaf:
Um Frankie? Your Alzheimers is acting up. New York is not in China. 
summer time and the living is easy
yes I've been very negative about China lately because, after 4 years, I'm back in Australia and it's so wonderful. In a month or two, maybe I'll miss China .... maybe
great comment samsara - I loved all the free time, the absence of a rat race if you so choose - add cheap eats & beers with brothers-in-arms or sisters-in-beds
yes techezee and teggnose - unexpected boundless friendllness & hospitality just when you are despairing or about to explode
always be hospitable because some without realising it, have entertained angels (and we're no angels)
unexpected kindness from local friends, especially on a BCD. It restores my faith in being in China
Just seen this.
The OP has actually forced me to break what has been a negative sequence recently.
I agree with what he says.
I have been to other places and been made to feel very welcome at times.
I want to say the women can be so attractive and beautiful here. This has its drawbacks, but as this is a positive thread, I won't mention them.
I want to say I have loved reading this thread just now. I feel better now, and that's despite a home full of yappers sitting near me.
I've done my share of complaining on this website, but to be honest, there's still a lot I enjoy about China:
-The junk food (so many kinds, so many places...)
-The omnipresence of food in general, at a low price
-The cheap cabs
-The portable gaming consoles (already cracked, you just have to download roms - at the cost of online features)
-The overall feeling of safety late at night
-The cheap cigarettes
-You can have a beer anywhere, anytime
-No matter how lousy you are at it, playing the guitar impresses people
-My shame disappears in China. I still behave, but I have more courage there for some reason.
-The ladies generally care for me. I'm not saying this in a demeaning way. I respect Chinese women, and would never call them "easy". Besides I have no money nor anything interesting a gold digger might want, but I still did pretty good there. Pure skill, baby. (I guess I fit the local standards? I'm usually polite and shy and gentle, despite what I say here)
-Internet cafes everywhere for a ridiculously low cost
-People in smaller cities are usually kind
-Summer nights
-The underground rock scene can be pretty sweet
-You can smoke anywhere you want
-The feeling of adventure when going on a trip
-No matter how much I bitch about the greed, I must admit, some people are extremely generous. As the young student that I am, the very few close Chinese friends I had in Beijing would almost always pay for everything, the reason being that "they have a job and I don't", even if I wanted to pay. So much free alcohol... That was very cool of them, and they keep telling they'll take me to drink once I get back there.
