When you travel, do you expect to find things to be as they
are at home? For the most part, I don’t
think I do. However, there are some
moments when I realize: I am shocked at how different things can be. Examples abound here in China. I would have thought that in a first world
country known for its technological advancements and scholastic achievements,
culture shock would be minimal.
I was wrong!
This year I have seen many things: different, new, dirty,
genius, etc. China has not so far
presented the most different things; however, the few disparities between our
American culture and the Chinese culture are very apparent. I think of the way small stones make large
ripples when trying to describe the way these small culture variations have
generated the most intense cultural shock yet.
Cultural variation can be confusing, especially when
unexpected. China is a first world
country. China is an advanced society
with many of the best modern conveniences and home to some of the world’s top
international cities. It is almost like
being home in America…but its not. 
1.
Here people smoke like chimneys. They smoke in the streets, taxis, grocery
stores, restaurants, salons, banks, post offices, on bicycles, trains and
buses. There are small stores that cater
to the enormous smoking population. They
are fully stocked with pipes, tobacco and hundreds of cartons of
cigarettes.
2.
Here parents have come up with a convenient and
creative way to save money usually spent on diapers; babies wear “baby chaps,”
pants with slits in the rear to ease potty training. Kids can simply squat down when nature calls
without being burdened by diapers and pants.
Its genius…and hilarious to see.
3.
Here people don’t eat sweet sweets. There are bakeries scattered amid the fabric
and hardware stores, but they sell bread loaves and cheesy buns, and even some
fancy cakes, but they just miss the mark.
A cinnamon ring looks appealing and even has the fragrance of fresh
baked bread and icing drizzles, but was filled with raisins not chocolate or
jam or cinnamon! Cookies are more likely
to have seeds and oats than chocolate or sugar.
4.
Here noodles are eaten for breakfast….lunch and
dinner. You can order them fat or
skinny, dry or soup broth. They come
with vegetables, meat or greens. Fresh
made for each batch, the noodles here really are good enough to eat three times
a day. Contrary to popular belief, it
has been my experience that Noodles rule in China, not rice.
5.
Here people have no problem with starring. At home parents teach children at an early
age that starring is rude. That practice
did not originate in China. In fact, the
way people openly stare, the whole starring practice might be a way to show
your approval or interest in something.
In our case, it’s more interest and less approval.
a.
Most people just gawk at us as we walk and talk
down the streets. Young and old seem
equally fascinated by our presence. In
one extreme case a woman got very close to my friend when our backs were
turned. We were startled! A simple greeting and smile appeases most
people, but not this woman. She craned
her neck to look into my friend’s eyes and was nearly chest to chest. She followed us for nearly 5 minutes, never
getting more than a foot away. We pulled
our belongings a little closer, walked a little faster and laughed a little
louder. Finally I turned and said,
“STOP! Please.” She stopped in her tracks and didn’t bother us again.
6.
Here in the east, you realize your common
everyday commode is officially called a, “Western Toilet.” That is in contrast to the rest of the
world’s toilet, “The Squatty.” It is
basically a porcelain urinal on the floor.
You put your feet on the foot platforms and do a deep squat; properly using the Squatty is a talent that
involves good balance. It makes you
thankful and curious about the Western Toilet: How did the trend explode in
America and nowhere else? Is there a way
to know which Squatty can flush and which can’t? When western toilets are available as an
option in airport and McDonald’s restrooms, why aren’t they everywhere? When did the toilet paper-western toilet
connection form? Is there a way to
foster the relationship for the Squatty?
Western Toilet-in all its majesty
Squatty-dingy and smelly (normally)
