Comments on: What is Gross to Chinese People (and Vice Versa) - Cultural Differences http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/ China Travel Etiquette Photos, Videos and More Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:38:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: Alexandra http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4105 Alexandra Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:59:54 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4105 Wow... I'm just not sure what to say after reading all those posts. Some of them were just down right rude while others came off as whiny and childish. I'm a 19 year Seattleite living and studying in Chengdu. This is not my first stay in China, nor will it be my last so I can say with some certainty that a great deal of what has been posted about Chinese habits hold at least some truth (excluding: unclean kitchens and homes) That said, I like to think of Chinese "clean" is just a different type of clean. China is "uniquely" dirty, there is not getting around it, but they don't stay in the filth and don't particularly care for it. Certain things you might find gross are perfectly acceptable here. So, just because you think it is gross does not matter. YOU ARE IN CHINA!!! Things are done a little diffidently here. Get over it or get out! Wow… I’m just not sure what to say after reading all those posts. Some of them were just down right rude while others came off as whiny and childish. I’m a 19 year Seattleite living and studying in Chengdu. This is not my first stay in China, nor will it be my last so I can say with some certainty that a great deal of what has been posted about Chinese habits hold at least some truth (excluding: unclean kitchens and homes) That said, I like to think of Chinese “clean” is just a different type of clean. China is “uniquely” dirty, there is not getting around it, but they don’t stay in the filth and don’t particularly care for it. Certain things you might find gross are perfectly acceptable here. So, just because you think it is gross does not matter. YOU ARE IN CHINA!!! Things are done a little diffidently here. Get over it or get out!

]]> By: Really? http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4089 Really? Thu, 25 Dec 2008 06:29:19 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4089 I don't know about the Chinese finding GMO's disgusting... How about putting melamine, which is a plastic, in milk for the sole purpose of cheating protein content tests??! And it's not just in the milk... I don’t know about the Chinese finding GMO’s disgusting… How about putting melamine, which is a plastic, in milk for the sole purpose of cheating protein content tests??!

And it’s not just in the milk…

]]> By: OverYourHead http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4085 OverYourHead Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:49:09 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4085 Whooooooooosh. Whooooooooosh.

]]> By: lamanogaucha http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4084 lamanogaucha Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:42:48 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4084 That's an extremely difficult question to answer concisely. Impossible, actually, at least for me. China is a big country, so much of it depends of the area you want to know about. It's a bit like asking someone how they feel about the USA as though that country were a speck on the map. Be that as it may, I would say that in general the PRC (excluding HK) is pretty nasty, yet on rare instances one meets the best people in the world, bar none. Also, the countryside and scenic areas (as long as there are few local tourists) can be some of the most beautiful places in the world, for sure. As far as the cities go (small, medium and large, and in any province) they mostly evince a crushing sameness that I find extremely uninspiring. China is all about the far off places and (mostly) the minorities. And as far as the gov, let's not go there... That’s an extremely difficult question to answer concisely. Impossible, actually, at least for me. China is a big country, so much of it depends of the area you want to know about. It’s a bit like asking someone how they feel about the USA as though that country were a speck on the map. Be that as it may, I would say that in general the PRC (excluding HK) is pretty nasty, yet on rare instances one meets the best people in the world, bar none. Also, the countryside and scenic areas (as long as there are few local tourists) can be some of the most beautiful places in the world, for sure. As far as the cities go (small, medium and large, and in any province) they mostly evince a crushing sameness that I find extremely uninspiring. China is all about the far off places and (mostly) the minorities. And as far as the gov, let’s not go there…

]]> By: Robert Thompson http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4066 Robert Thompson Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:43:33 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4066 So tell me how you really feel about China. So tell me how you really feel about China.

]]> By: lamanogaucha http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4065 lamanogaucha Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:32:13 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4065 You're not saying anything that is "anti-China". You're simply telling the truth. And when you say that Japan and S. Korea are "20 years ahead", you're being too kind. Such a number may apply vis-a-vis Shanghai, Beijing, perhaps Hangzhou or Nanjing, but if you travel (or live) anywhere else (especially more than eight hours by train west of any part of the eastern coast) all bets are off -- you'll see and experience a level of social ineptitude, irresponsibility and backwardness greater than almost any place on this earth. The countries you mentioned are socially 50+ years ahead of mainland China. Hong Kong as well, but the mainlanders are gradually making that wonderful territory less and less attractive... I think that, in general, Korean folks are more rude than mainlanders though, albeit in a very different way. The Japanese are no picnic either, but they are alright, and I do appreciate their civility. That's not to say that mainlanders aren't rude -- far from it. One of the worst things about mainlanders (aside from how terrible and low-class many of their habits are) is how unbelievably *loud* and inconsiderate they most of them are. Try living in a medium-sized Sichuanese city surrounded by local neighbors... It's absolutely awful. You’re not saying anything that is “anti-China”. You’re simply telling the truth. And when you say that Japan and S. Korea are “20 years ahead”, you’re being too kind. Such a number may apply vis-a-vis Shanghai, Beijing, perhaps Hangzhou or Nanjing, but if you travel (or live) anywhere else (especially more than eight hours by train west of any part of the eastern coast) all bets are off — you’ll see and experience a level of social ineptitude, irresponsibility and backwardness greater than almost any place on this earth. The countries you mentioned are socially 50+ years ahead of mainland China. Hong Kong as well, but the mainlanders are gradually making that wonderful territory less and less attractive… I think that, in general, Korean folks are more rude than mainlanders though, albeit in a very different way. The Japanese are no picnic either, but they are alright, and I do appreciate their civility. That’s not to say that mainlanders aren’t rude — far from it. One of the worst things about mainlanders (aside from how terrible and low-class many of their habits are) is how unbelievably *loud* and inconsiderate they most of them are. Try living in a medium-sized Sichuanese city surrounded by local neighbors… It’s absolutely awful.

]]> By: Guinea http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4055 Guinea Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:57:55 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4055 very very interesting post. never even seen someone say such things about Chinese people. Often times, or should I say.. ALL the time, Chinese are regarded as very uncivilized (or in rough words "extremely dirty") from the society. I, frankly am a Caucasian individual who traveled to places like Japan, Korea and China (including Hongkong) and been always interested in the Eastern culture. China was actually very unpleasant trip for me because of the level of barbarity and such low social quality over all. or perhaps visiting places like South Korea and Japan prior to China was to blame my "expected standards" I held. South Koreans and the Japanese "generally" look down on the Chinese people and their lifestyle and that's unfortunate. and you must understand how much I have cursed against those people who seemed like they were being discriminative... but wow. actually having to travel and experience, I no longer blame the Koreans and the Japanese for doing/saying such things... This is no "opinion" when I mention this, however Korean and Japanese lifestyle and their civilization is truly ahead by at least 20 years or so.. even past the American society frankly.. Slowly though we (Western people) are advancing and leaching off their civilization and of course their Technology (which 6.5 billion people know about those two countries and their impressive accomplishments) Sony has been dominating the technology around the world, and Very Quickly if you have noticed... Samsung and LG of South Korea are literally dominating even on top of Sony and exile any other companies. and it is predicted South Korea will be one of the top G7 countries by 2025. Please do not accuse me or regard me as someone who is "hating on China just because he fell in "love" with Korea and Japan" ... Please understand that I truly am being honest and realistic. Many things you have pointed out about the 'differences' seem to really contradict their living conditions. very very interesting post. never even seen someone say such things about Chinese people.

Often times, or should I say.. ALL the time, Chinese are regarded as very uncivilized (or in rough words “extremely dirty”) from the society.

I, frankly am a Caucasian individual who traveled to places like Japan, Korea and China (including Hongkong) and been always interested in the Eastern culture.

China was actually very unpleasant trip for me because of the level of barbarity and such low social quality over all.
or perhaps visiting places like South Korea and Japan prior to China was to blame my “expected standards” I held.

South Koreans and the Japanese “generally” look down on the Chinese people and their lifestyle and that’s unfortunate.

and you must understand how much I have cursed against those people who seemed like they were being discriminative…

but wow. actually having to travel and experience, I no longer blame the Koreans and the Japanese for doing/saying such things…

This is no “opinion” when I mention this, however Korean and Japanese lifestyle and their civilization is truly ahead by at least 20 years or so.. even past the American society frankly..

Slowly though we (Western people) are advancing and leaching off their civilization and of course their Technology (which 6.5 billion people know about those two countries and their impressive accomplishments)

Sony has been dominating the technology around the world, and Very Quickly if you have noticed… Samsung and LG of South Korea are literally dominating even on top of Sony and exile any other companies. and it is predicted South Korea will be one of the top G7 countries by 2025.

Please do not accuse me or regard me as someone who is “hating on China just because he fell in “love” with Korea and Japan” …
Please understand that I truly am being honest and realistic.

Many things you have pointed out about the ‘differences’ seem to really contradict their living conditions.

]]> By: lamanogaucha http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4053 lamanogaucha Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:26:26 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4053 As a resident of this country for almost eight years, I must say that the sight of a person holding a child under the age of 2 in order to have him/her poop by the side of the road or on the sidewalk is most definitely not something one encounters only in the countryside. It happens everywhere, except perhaps Shanghai and Beijing (although even there I suspect that it occurs in certain nooks and crannies)... There are cities where such a disgusting sight is not seen often, but in most places this is ubiquitous. I've even seen a mother hold her two-year old to have it take a crap right in front of a pharmacy in a average medium-sized city, and I mean *right in front*. Also, what another poster said regarding the issue of placing bags on the floor being considered gross makes perfect sense: the ground is already *extremely* filthy, so even the Chinese consider placing a small bag there a virtual sacrilege. As a resident of this country for almost eight years, I must say that the sight of a person holding a child under the age of 2 in order to have him/her poop by the side of the road or on the sidewalk is most definitely not something one encounters only in the countryside. It happens everywhere, except perhaps Shanghai and Beijing (although even there I suspect that it occurs in certain nooks and crannies)… There are cities where such a disgusting sight is not seen often, but in most places this is ubiquitous. I’ve even seen a mother hold her two-year old to have it take a crap right in front of a pharmacy in a average medium-sized city, and I mean *right in front*.

Also, what another poster said regarding the issue of placing bags on the floor being considered gross makes perfect sense: the ground is already *extremely* filthy, so even the Chinese consider placing a small bag there a virtual sacrilege.

]]> By: Greg http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4021 Greg Mon, 20 Oct 2008 22:25:35 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4021 I have a male 29 yo chinese roommate who is Very educated but doesnt like to use a sponge or clean the stovetop that he uses mostly unless hes left a note. He has a PHD and works for a major pharma company but Still is studying for an MBA. So his excuse for Not cleaning that hes too busy studying. Well, after 1 yr and trying to get him to clean up around mutual areas, im ready to throw his ass out! LOL I have a male 29 yo chinese roommate who is Very educated but doesnt like to use a sponge or clean the stovetop that he uses mostly unless hes left a note. He has a PHD and works for a major pharma company but Still is studying for an MBA. So his excuse for Not cleaning that hes too busy studying. Well, after 1 yr and trying to get him to clean up around mutual areas, im ready to throw his ass out! LOL

]]> By: Jagoda http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4018 Jagoda Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:34:18 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-4018 hello Robert, I would like to talk to you about the chineese reality and problems. Are you still with Cirque du soleil in Barcelona? Could we meet?Please let me know at kryszka9@hotmail.com. Warm regards! Jagoda hello Robert,
I would like to talk to you about the chineese reality and problems. Are you still with Cirque du soleil in Barcelona?
Could we meet?Please let me know at kryszka9@hotmail.com.
Warm regards!
Jagoda

]]> By: Phil http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3992 Phil Sun, 05 Oct 2008 03:41:34 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3992 I would just like to add some of these people should get out and do some travelling. Go to Bali and see the way of life there, 5 star resorts on the dirty beach and open sewers in the road just outside. People in poverty with nothing but a smile on there face. Dont judge people by a few remarks posted on a blog. Every where you can find beauty if you look. I have found a beautiful Chinese woman who is going to be my wife in the new year. I am looking foreward to learning her ways in China and i am sure my eyebrows will rise a few times while i am there. But it is a different country and i am intelligent enough to accept it and her ways. I am positive she will have the same feelings when she comes to live in Australia with me. Learning the Aussie culture will open her eye's quite wide i am shure. Men with massive beer bellies, women walking around with only swimmers on, our lasy ways. Lets just learn to live with each other or as they say "cant beat them lets join them". On and as far as toilets go the fancy French still have toilets in the middle of the road and they slill have squat toilets in the floor. Quite a suprise when you are wanting to go and that is all that is avaliable. You learn quickly how to use them. See we can all ajust to new things!!!! I would just like to add some of these people should get out and do some travelling. Go to Bali and see the way of life there, 5 star resorts on the dirty beach and open sewers in the road just outside. People in poverty with nothing but a smile on there face. Dont judge people by a few remarks posted on a blog. Every where you can find beauty if you look. I have found a beautiful Chinese woman who is going to be my wife in the new year. I am looking foreward to learning her ways in China and i am sure my eyebrows will rise a few times while i am there. But it is a different country and i am intelligent enough to accept it and her ways. I am positive she will have the same feelings when she comes to live in Australia with me. Learning the Aussie culture will open her eye’s quite wide i am shure. Men with massive beer bellies, women walking around with only swimmers on, our lasy ways. Lets just learn to live with each other or as they say “cant beat them lets join them”. On and as far as toilets go the fancy French still have toilets in the middle of the road and they slill have squat toilets in the floor. Quite a suprise when you are wanting to go and that is all that is avaliable. You learn quickly how to use them. See we can all ajust to new things!!!!

]]> By: vladimer http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3986 vladimer Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:35:17 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3986 Robert, Cat.. can you tell me confucian practices and beliefs that are used by famous chinese businessmen in doing their business? hehe it's my topic for my research paper. And it can really help me if you could give me some information. tnx.. Robert, Cat.. can you tell me confucian practices and beliefs that are used by famous chinese businessmen in doing their business? hehe it’s my topic for my research paper. And it can really help me if you could give me some information. tnx..

]]> By: homing hsia http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3981 homing hsia Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:44:47 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3981 god give us two eyes,on our face,in front of it, cannot look back on ourselves, so we are perfect. all your observations are accurate, only in your small circles-location,education,especially socio-economic class background. I know, I know, china is communist country,there should not be any class. but in essence Mao still the king, you know that,now you understand? china still a feudal society. All the Chinese you met may come from disadvantaged background they have different habit, Sam hurst married one may come from priviledge family have different habit. god give us two eyes,on our face,in front of it, cannot look back on ourselves, so we are perfect.
all your observations are accurate, only in your small circles-location,education,especially socio-economic class background. I know, I know, china is communist country,there should not be any class. but in essence Mao still the king, you know that,now you understand? china still a feudal society. All the Chinese you met may come from disadvantaged background they have different habit, Sam hurst married one may come from priviledge family have different habit.

]]> By: Robert Thompson http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3977 Robert Thompson Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:43:28 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3977 @Lax: I'm with you. When I returned to the US after being away for five years straight, things were pretty strange. 'Shocking' things I remember after getting back: - People who use paper towels to wipe something up - then throw it away - Using Amazon to Prime Ship something the next day (the mentality is, Free shipping! Buy more!) - Going to Costco and seeing people pile on so much junk they needed a construction-grade flat bed cart to move things around - Infomercials - Bottled water - How people never talk to each other in line, and no eye contact on the street @Lax: I’m with you. When I returned to the US after being away for five years straight, things were pretty strange.

‘Shocking’ things I remember after getting back:

- People who use paper towels to wipe something up - then throw it away
- Using Amazon to Prime Ship something the next day (the mentality is, Free shipping! Buy more!)
- Going to Costco and seeing people pile on so much junk they needed a construction-grade flat bed cart to move things around
- Infomercials
- Bottled water
- How people never talk to each other in line, and no eye contact on the street

]]> By: Lax http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3976 Lax Fri, 19 Sep 2008 04:36:36 +0000 http://www.jazzviolin.com/china/2007/09/28/gross-disgusting-china-cultural-differences/#comment-3976 Americans do plenty of "disgusting" things, although perhaps not from a hygiene perspective. I used to live in Europe with a bunch of Americans, and I found their wasteful and self-indulgent use of consumer items "disgusting". The ridiculous scented, bleached, embossed, 6 ply toilet-paper, for instance. Or the compulsive hair-washing and blow drying. Purchasing overly-packaged food (thinking that garlic only came in a jar, for instance) is so wasteful. This is not a chinese v US post, it's just an observation about how some cultural practices can be so off-putting to foreigners. Americans do plenty of “disgusting” things, although perhaps not from a hygiene perspective. I used to live in Europe with a bunch of Americans, and I found their wasteful and self-indulgent use of consumer items “disgusting”. The ridiculous scented, bleached, embossed, 6 ply toilet-paper, for instance. Or the compulsive hair-washing and blow drying. Purchasing overly-packaged food (thinking that garlic only came in a jar, for instance) is so wasteful.

This is not a chinese v US post, it’s just an observation about how some cultural practices can be so off-putting to foreigners.

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