OurChinaTravels.com

I’ve resisted posting my overall thoughts about China to date - mostly because I knew that my initial impressions would be naive “knee jerk” reactions that wouldn’t honor the unique character and complexity of this fascinating country. I also felt that it would be necessary to see and experience several different cities before I begin to form my perspective on the character and culture of the people of China. Now that we’ve left Shanghai and spent the weekend in the more rural and relative quiet of Hangzhou and Yan Dang Shan, I feel more able to consider and share my thoughts.

This post will serve as an overview of my reactions and impressions of China, and I’ll add more to it over time. It’s certainly difficult and not very accurate to generalize of course (especially in China, which is a county comprised of many unique provinces and cities - each with their own history, culture and personality) but to capture and pass on my own impressions for others something must be said, so I will offer here my own thoughts to date.

1.     My thinking is that the people I’ve met here seem to be primarily driven and industrious. The Chinese seem willing and able to overcome incredible challenge and hardship to achieve amazing things. This can be seen in their history and architectural and industrial achievements, the amazing migration of large parts of their population to distant city centers, the rapid expansion and growth of their economy, and their adoption of technology and global finance and business systems and practices.

2.      I should point out that I think on a day-to-day basis I’ve experienced the Chinese people at their best – since I’ve almost always been accompanied by my two young sons, and most people here seem to have a joy and almost a reverence for young children. I’ve found the hotel staff, shopkeepers, and most people we’ve met in taxis, at tourist locations and out on city and rural streets to be considerate, gracious, and helpful – with what I would call a reserved but friendly and perhaps even at times a “happy” nature.

3.      Everything in China seems possible, but at the same time many things along the way seem not easy and even frustrating – especially to Westerners. There are subtle nuances to the language (multiple versions of the same word that differ only in tone, unique dialects in many cities and provinces, a structural simplicity that leaves the meaning of statements or questions relative to the current situation), an overall desire not to “lose face” or cause others to lose face, and also an “indirectness” to speech and interaction that I just can’t begin to explain at this point in time.

4.      To Western sensibilities, normal behaviors for the Chinese people can seem at times “rude” – spitting out in the streets or in public spaces, less regard for “personal space”, “pushy” to the point where cutting in line is commonplace, impassive responses to smiles or a display of frustration or anger from Westerners, urinating in public, chaotic driving and an alarming disregard for pedestrians and other drivers. 

5.      The cuisine I’ve experienced here in China has been varied but excellent. Each province has its own unique specialties - so there is a wide variety of rice, noodle, poultry, fish, and dumpling dishes, and many soups, stews and sauces. However the preparation and presentation of food is more basic - perhaps more “honest” or less sanitized, actually. As Westerners we just aren’t used to seeing chicken feet, fish heads, and various intestines and organs displayed at a buffet table or on a serving or dinner plate. Dairy seems to be relatively rare, and I don’t think the Chinese understand or fully appreciate cheese. In what I think we now view more as the unfortunate fast food category, some Western foods have been exported successfully (Kentucky Fried Chicken and Starbucks) while others (McDonalds burgers and Pizza Hut pizza) have not. Looking forward I would say that I’ll really appreciate whole milk, thick pulpy orange juice, pizza with ”real” cheese and tasty tomato sauce and a thick barbecued steak when I return to the States - but I’ll also miss Chinese soups, sauces, dumplings and Beggar Man’s Chicken very much!