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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: If someone back home asked you, "Hey, how's China?" How would you answer?
I was having a conversation with a friend last night about friends back home and I mentioned that there are some people back home, good friends mind, who I haven't seen in the 4+ years that I've been living in China. I make trips back about once a year, but often they're very fleeting and there's no time to properly catch up.
Anyway, I was wondering, if you, like I have, have been here for a long time, have seen a lot, experienced a lot, felt a lot, and have gone through all the wild emotions and challenges that China throws at you on a daily basis, how would you answer if someone said, "Hey mate, how's China?" Personally, I wouldn't know where to begin with that.
11 years 1 week ago in Relationships - China
Pushing, spitting, screeching and public defecation; forced abortions; labor camps; horrifying frequency of abduction, rape, murder, dismemberment and child abuse in the poor areas (which we aren't supposed to know about); prevalent domestic violence; crime statistics that are 99.9% unreported (thus making China the "safest" country in the world); nationalistic brainwashing; ultra-materialism; culture of lies.
None of this outweighs the excellent and leisurely lifestyle of a foreign teacher. I love my job, love my students, and have loads of free time to spend reading, writing, swimming, watching movies and stating polemic opinions on eChinaCities.
Red_Fox:
Looks like "Never a dull moment" got the answer of the day. Agree with crimo and the stats, but samsara didn't stand a chance. Who decides "answer of the day"? The board (voting democratically)? Or _____________ (fill in the blank)...?
For me, long story short = for my business best place on world the last years, came here in 2007. Also my girlfriend is here, Australian, so same place, so far so good. Climate wise and culture wise I know much better cities to live. I do not have children yet and also far from retiring, both scenarios will push me to other cities than China. Or I like being in China, yes very much, the advantages here much more than the disadvantages for now.
Easily put, in regards to development and economy, you would never believe it, culturally it is 10 times worse than anything you read.
I say "It sure is big, isn't it?" and play dumb. I don't enjoy discussing China with people who know nothing about China.
diverdude1:
lol. good answer. I just look at them and say in my Southern drawl...'well, one thing you wouldn't believe,,, they eat with sticks!'
well anyway, I think it's funny....
I would say that China is this "emerging superpower" that some western media outlets talk about in which people urinate and excrete in public, sleep on any unused piece of floor space they can find and risk life and limb to save 1 yuan here and there. Other than that, it is "just so so".
he he. I said "Just so-so"!
I will most typically say something like, "China is doing well considering it is a developing country. There are many problems it will face and I am not sure they will be able to handle them on their own. China is both overestimated and underestimated at the same time. When you look at it, China is just a place like everywhere else where people go about their daily business"
If people ask specifically how are the Chinese people I will try not to explain too much details, despite them generally being good people I cannot represent a positive view of the Chinese population as a whole.
(current views might be influenced by the fact that the world is looking to loose one of the few great men, I hope one day China will have such a person "It always seems impossible until it's done" )
"Never a dull moment.".
99Silva:
"WTF"! How in the world does the Answer of the day for the second straight time get the most votes voted down????
Pushing, spitting, screeching and public defecation; forced abortions; labor camps; horrifying frequency of abduction, rape, murder, dismemberment and child abuse in the poor areas (which we aren't supposed to know about); prevalent domestic violence; crime statistics that are 99.9% unreported (thus making China the "safest" country in the world); nationalistic brainwashing; ultra-materialism; culture of lies.
None of this outweighs the excellent and leisurely lifestyle of a foreign teacher. I love my job, love my students, and have loads of free time to spend reading, writing, swimming, watching movies and stating polemic opinions on eChinaCities.
Red_Fox:
Looks like "Never a dull moment" got the answer of the day. Agree with crimo and the stats, but samsara didn't stand a chance. Who decides "answer of the day"? The board (voting democratically)? Or _____________ (fill in the blank)...?
Big, busy, diverse, 57 nations rolled into one, developing (often faster than the people can cope with), financially motivated in almost everything and as a general view most importantly:
The global capital of unfettered Capitalism, it should be renamed Ayn Randland.
Red_Fox:
Atlas Shrugged, buddy and had a Huge Reaction or is that a...? Cheers!
diverdude1:
Ayn has a big ol' smile on her face. I've read my share of great authors, but could never make it through her work. I'm an unrepentant capitalist, but her work has a psychedelic component combined with a dash of dullness that just left me sitting there wondering why tf is this author so celebrated!
Damn Samsara, if that doesn't make answer of the day, I surely do not know what will
moral values of the middle ages
education of the 18th century
creativity of the middle east 500 years ago
selfishness of the next century
military ambition of napoleon
arrogance of a roman senator for caesar
food from a post global apocalypse
water from the 12th century
im sure i forgot something , feel free to contribute or disagree
Red_Fox:
You either have a great imagination or you are a history teacher. Now I gotta look up all the junk on your list. Good one!
angelina8:
Obsession with automobiles of the 1950's
Competitiveness of The Dawn of Man
Female infanticide of an anarcha-feminist's anti-Utopia
Consumerism of a corporation's Utopia
Scandinavian:
I believe there was plenty of clean water in the 12th century.
GuilinRaf:
Um, I must take issue with your Caesar comment as the Roman Senate murdered Caesar...
RachelDiD:
Hygiene from the Dark Ages.
Business ethics from the prison yard.
Ethnic butthurtness from the Opium Wars, with flames fanned by the Japanese.
I dread this question being asked - people only want to hear happy things, nothing bad. It makes it difficult to explain the reality of life in China.
Also, the question usually sets my boyfriend off on a "why I hate China" rant which inevitably stops the conversation dead.
GuilinRaf:
So do I!
If I say the things I love about China, people say I am crazy.
If I say the things I dont like about China, I become a bigot.
For the vast majority of people I keep a neutral "it can be very interesting" (learned that from my Chinese friends!).
Now close friends and close family (not all) I will tell the pro's and cons.
EDIT: Because my fiance is Chinese, I am much more careful about what I say. After all, no one likes it when people "diss" one's country. Therefore, if it is passing aquiaintances, stragners or people whom I know will never come to China, I keep it neutral along the lines that "there is good and bad". Now, if a friend or relative of mine were thinking about living here, then I would be much more candid. Funny thing is, even after a BCD I get defensive about China if it comes from someone who has never set foot here. Those that are here, no problem....ambivalentmace:
when i get asked "i say my mother taught me not to say bad things , if i have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all, so i tell them i can not in good conscious say anything good that could make up for the bad. then the conversation is over.
RachelDiD:
Yeah, I did that this summer. Mom: "This is my daugher, she lives in China!' Neighbor:"Oh, do you like China?" Me:"No, not even a little." .....awkward silence.... Neighbor: "It's polluted, huh?" Me: Yeah..." Mom: Rachel...(prays I don't say it). Me:...the pollution and the people. In my defence, my visa officer royally screwed me over that summer, and the administration couldn't have been bothered to answer my emails. I played it closer to the vest before that happened.
MissA:
Yep, that awkward silence as people try to figure out what to say... personally I just try to direct the conversation to other countries I've lived in and which I did enjoy, and this gives people the conversation they'd rather have.
I tell people that china is full of arrogant morons who are in fact the most selfish, most stubborn, and most stupid people I have ever met.
the usual response is disbelief because a lot of americans think chinese people must be very smart to have developed so rapidly. stupid americans...
RachelDiD:
That's because Chinese Americans are different from Chinese in the PRC.I have to tell my family the distinction all the time.
I say " It's ok, but it smells different....ohh, and they ban facebook and youtube ".
Me:Hey, it's going fine, so busy at work.
Mom: Hey be glad you have a job.
good to save, bad to live
thank you, and never come here
My experience is that nobody from back home has ever asked me the question. And the why of this is rather perplexing.
Is China so mysterious that nobody has any clue about it?....or perhaps just a zero interest in it?
Anyone else found this general lack of interest from their family and friends?
diverdude1:
yep. my family has lived in Europe & NA. Never set foot in Asia and wouldn't if offered a free vacation. Not overt prejudice, just like u said- zero interest. They are Anglophiles thru & thru.... so when I bring up Asia they listen politely a few minutes, make a few random comments, and that's it.
brother1818:
I have some friends from home who are like that. Just have no interest. Most of family probably hadn't even though of China more than once (during the olympics) their entire lives until I moved here and then they all took notice. Still wouldn't come though.
I normally just say 'good' and then see what their follow up question is. their second question usually lets me know how much they know/how much they want to know. If they ask me about the pollution or one child policy or something then I'll engage them, if they just change the topic then they obviously don't care so I just go with it.
I start with "It's going to be a long story, we better find a cozy place to seat and a good bottle of wine.". If I just have a few minutes, I would say people can be nice and hospitable, but that the society as a whole is incredibly grinding, rude, harsh, with small oasis of human warmth. I would say that there are lots of issues with complex causes and effects. I would say there are lot of opportunities for the adventurous soul, but finding fortune will hurt and that will be 90% of grinding for 10% of joy. I would say the deserted places are gorgeous, that the country is really many nations rolled into one.
It got me a few beers for free, once the crowd is hooked ^^
I'd say "Full of a more Chinese people that are still learning to drive their beemer"
"Don't ask."
"That bad huh?"
"Don't ask."
"No but seriously, is everything OK?"
"AAARGH qrblspldbt! MUCUS! Flying mucusballs in the sky!! Oh the human fecality. Why feces, why? LaowailaowailaowaiHALLAO! HA ha ha ha… (sob). I think to much I think too much. Must respect and understand Chinese culture … (hiccup) What what in the pigu?
hurmblrg, you are my little duck little apple! Crap your hands everybody! No why, there is no why!!! Why? Oh no, I don't understand China. But I do, don't I? Why? NO WHY!?! Old why, laowai. Do things China's why or the high why. No why, smile or die. I'm crying in the BMW, what a glorious day.
Meiyou, meiyou, and round the shops we go. Chinese dogfood is the best MSG in the world. The meat around the bones is so much tastier, so don't need to cut out the bones - you can eat soup with chopsticks and select the fishbones out with your mouth. Hahaha (whimper). Gloves are eating utensils for sushi and burgers. Let's drink terpentine and toast our health - Ganbei! Meiyou cold drinks it's not yet summer. Geini hot drinks it's not even winter. You should drink hot water too!!
The aunties in China are dancing mainly in the squares. Beware of the elderly thay can steal all your money! Eyes everywhere. They burn and spurn and cry 'Harrao'.
More child abuse is the solution to all society's problems. Go to granny while I make more sacrifices on my iPad -32GB. Drive safely drive brainsfree. Oh I'm so open and honest and free and my body is different. High five to stay alive. Hey kids, who wants to serial-kill those Japanese dogs? Come on baby, let's PLAY!"
royceH:
Oh, Coin...old mate. I think it's time. Do you think it's time? I'm not sure how much longer you can stand the strain. How much longer?
At least here where I am one is some chance. I've got another year, at least.
coineineagh:
this is closer to my thoughts during my first year in China. I've grown more accustomed to the routine now. it was just some craziness i thought about while sitting in a carpool for an hour.
Robk:
Well... that's pretty much Chinese culture in one crazy rant.
It certainly does make China sounds like a screwed up place... and it is!