10 Truths about the Chinese

I'm just going to say it, out right and frank... China is weird!

Here are some observations I've made in the last 2 weeks I've lived here:

1. If a man on the subway doesn't have a seat, it is common for him to just squat. Men typically squat in a circle so that they can easily converse with one another.

2. In the states we have ramps at sidewalks for people in wheel chairs. In Chiiiiiina they have ramps on sidewalks only so they can easily ride their bike from the street up on to the sidewalk.

3. There is a hierarchy of modes of transportation as you walk down the street. It goes as follows, from most important to least important:

Buses
Cars
Mopeds
Bikes
Dogs
Pedestrians

That's right, while in the US pedestrians have the right of way, they most certainly do NOT here in China. It's not a game of chicken, it's a game of "get the hell out of the way or the vehicle will, without hesitation, run you over". Fun game, I must admit. And as Beijing has virtually no pedestrian walk signals, it's a game played all the time.

4. Chinese people LOVE KFC. Chinese people LOVE 711 even more than KFC.

5. I have not seen one paper towel since I moved here. They use cloth towels... so old fashioned of them (shocker).

6. It seems the more thunderous a noise you make right before spitting, the better. Everyone not only spits, they do anywhere and everywhere. In fact, today I saw a man in the subway car (right next to the circle of men squatting) spit on the floor of the subway car then take his shoe and rub it over his spit. Interesting.... cause that'll really clean it up.

7. Chinese men, when it's hot outside or they just ate a big meal, will roll up their shirt to expose their stomach and go about the rest of their day looking as such. I see this everywhere! Women, in case you were curious, do not exercise the same post lunch/ coolant tactics.

8. Believe it or not, the Chinese people do not all look the same. There are massive facial feature differences among them, so the notion that if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all can be tossed right out the window.

9. The Chinese are very very hard working people. Next to my house is a construction site that also includes a garden. When I first arrived the garden was mere dirt, yesterday it opened.... grass, trees, flowers, little walk ways.... the works. Oh and this is no small garden either! Impressive, very impressive.

10. China, as it is such a big country, have lots and lots and lots of rules, all of which have corresponding paper work. Despite such a massive bureaucracy, they some how manage to cross their T's and dot their I's. Just the other day I went to the police station to register my address and name and it turns out I was 8 days late....oops! Not only did they notice and care, they gave me a little "official written warning" just to make clear that I am a rule breaker!. I don't get it, I'm here on a travel visa. How do these people have the organization to keep track of me, a TOURIST. Astounding, just astounding. Can't wait for the po po to come a knockin' on my front door and ask for my paper work and see my "warning"! Good time, good times.

Oh CHiiiiiiNA, gotta love it. Got to!