Comments on: What is Gross to Chinese People (and Vice Versa) – Cultural Differences

By: jonB

jonB — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:06:17 +0000

when did Haungzhou become south china?? been in china 11 years, was always on the east coast!

By: marykistre

marykistre — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 13:35:52 +0000

This has got to be my, like, 50th comment on your site, for which I apologize. But I do really enjoy this site! I have lived in China, quite near Hong Kong, for a year now and most of your advice, stories, etc. align with my observations. Just a few notes to those who may visit at more “Westernized” area:

Modesty is about the same in my city as in many American cities (minus really low-cut or midriffs shirts on women, though plenty of men walk around shirtless). And I live in what is considered a “small” Chinese city–3 million–but a city nonetheless and I still see babies doing their thing in the streets or walking around with slits in their pants to facilitate this practice.

But everything else I find totally right, and laugh at the differences in culture. My Chinese friends are incredulous and also laugh good-humoredly when some kind of cultural etiquette difference arises. I’ve learned to carry toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and use Chinese toilets (which just side-steps the whole foot-prints-on-the-toilet-seat thing) and look the other way when I see spitting or nose-picking. I’m sure Chinese people do the same when they are in Western places!

By: Ewan

Ewan — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:02:32 +0000

There’s a reason Americans like “Chinese-American” food. It tastes really good and especially when made by really skilled chefs who use good ingredients. I have been to many Chinese restaurants where the store sign is not in English nor is the menu. Unfortunately, with the food the seafood items taste fishy. Entrees come in brown briny sauces. I have tried many snacks shipped from China and – sorry to tell you this – they’re not much fun to eat. Bleugh! Good to know Communism is on it’s death bed and soon they will enjoy better things in their daily lives – simple things like good chocolate, coffee and they will no longer have to eat gross, bottom-feeding fish and insects.

By: kdawg

kdawg — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:56:04 +0000

I had a student staying with me and also rented to several people from different backgrounds. I am from the Caribbean and I am sure there are things that we do that one might think of as dirty and growing up in Canada I am exposed to different habits.
I usually say that if a culture has been around for some time who am I to judge.
That being said I was kind of shocked by the poor hygiene of this student. There was a disgusting smell that I realized was foot odour that smelled like half a bottle of vinegar had been poured on the carpet. The girl slept with clothes and went out with the same shirt. Never bathed no matter how many times I said she could use the facilities downstairs which had a sauna. Did a number two and left some on the floor on the shower curtain and a bit behind the toilet several times. Would not take care of her teeth. In the week or more she stayed bought 1000 dollars of designer good yet would not buy something to cook. Gucci Prada and Coach. Oh she would take of her clothes and leave them all over the floor. I cooked for her and even cleaned that disgusting odour from her shoe when she was not looking. Alcohol and
some antibacterial powder while putting the shoes in the sun. I agree with one of the posters that the rich are not used to doing for themselves and have maids. As a younger person I had to cook and do things around the house like my laundry, fixing cars, roofing gardening mowing the lawn you name it. Bit of a culture shock. I found the Persian tenants to be very clean.

By: ~

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 06:49:58 +0000

> Setting your bag, purse, or backpack down on the ground
This is dirty. Its been proven again and again by just about every US news channel and magazine. But the public just doesn’t care. Same with handling money. Go to an US fast food place and you’ll see the employees handle food after handling cash without gloves, won’t happen in a Chinese fast food joint

Cheese
Depends on generation and personal taste

Wearing revealing clothing
This is just weird. Older Chinese women won’t wear short skirts and low cut or backless tops but have no problems wearing see through tops and skirts to stay cool. Also Americans feel stockings and pantyhose are too sexy but they’re extremely popular in China

Genetically Engineered food
Lots of Americans don’t want them

By: KeXin

KeXin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:08:19 +0000

the GMO thing is just plain wrong. pretty sure a significant portion of the rice, corn, and pink tomatoes in China are genetically modified. “as a whole, Chinese prefer the organic, free-range philosophy of food” — what a dumb thing to say! so do plenty of Westerners! (in fact didn’t Europeans go as far as to outlaw GM foods? I mean, come on.)

By: JDubbs

JDubbs — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:21:13 +0000

I work at a public university in southern China and I have to say that you’re a bit wrong about the revealing clothing. My female students are often seen in barely-there miniskirts or shorts and tank tops. If it’s fashionable in Japan and South Korea it’s fashionable here, and that includes the revealing clothing.

By: Lisa smith

Lisa smith — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:27:29 +0000

Are you a racist?’
You can call so many bad things about china, but how do you know that? Not everything in China is bad and some things you write about them is not the real china.
Why do you write such things?

By: Shanghai Jon

Shanghai Jon — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:22:24 +0000

If one wants the real, unvarnished truth about Chinese culture and behavior, then this website is required reading.

Hits the nail RIGHT on the head.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:54:13 +0000

What an interesting article! Some things I’d like to point out: I’ve noticed that Chinese people eat really fast and tend to “pig out” more as well. They eat a lot! Also one of their manners I find gross is when some of them blow their noses they make this really loud honking noise and couldn’t care less about those around them.

On the other hand, sitting on a public toilet is extremely nasty. I guess hovering/toilet paper liners work well. Setting your bag on the floor is also gross.