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steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Why does anyone who has spent longer than 3 weeks in China think they are the most daring, independent traveller there ever was?

Yes, you've been to China, well done. Now shut up about it.

Perhaps what would really be impressive is if you actually knew what a hard day's work was.....

ESLteacher · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 82

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Everyone who I have ever come across who has, as I said, spent more than 3 weeks in China.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

..and washing your undies in the filthy river- don't forget that.

Oh, and make sure you always go on and on about how Chinese food you get in the West is nothing like REAL Chinese food (thank God)

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

Ah come on- where is the "sense of adventure" in putting your pants in a washing machine????

David Bowles · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 249

As the most daring, independent traveller there ever was I've got to say I agree with you. Washing your underwear at all is for tourists.

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

I'm sure it is an experience. One the rest of us would not like to hear about at every opportunity, contrary to what you may believe....

Paul G · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 125 Location: China & USA

Well, Steven, if you don't want to hear about China, WHY are you reading a bulletin board devoted to China?

"The problem with common sense is that it just isn't too common."

steven_gerrard · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 155

I was actually commenting on China bores I had met in real life but I guess that has passed most of them by too.....

Anyway, I am in danger of becoming a "China bore Bore" so I'll shut up about it now......

Harry Swindells · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 39 Location: Warsaw,Poland

You own underwear Question

Dude I haven't had any underwear since '94, it's for tourists dude. The people here don't own underwear so why should you? You can't understand the people if you don't live like them man....

Got to go. My old man is transfering some of my trust fund for me today.

Peter · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 161

Old China hands often put their foot in their mouth, trumpeting their acquired prejudices.......I am no exception either.

Bertrand · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 293

Don't argue with fools; onlookers may not be able to tell you apart.

Edward · Joined: 04 Mar 2003 Posts: 46

I wonder...I didn't really ask too many people, or hear anyone talk as the original poster described since I have been here.

I suppose it's the company one keeps. I tend to socialize with some old timers in the area, started out that way actually. Maybe that's why I don't recall hearing any of the "I am sooooo daring to be here" kind of chatter.

The thing that struck me about food was, it tasted pretty much the same, except no bones in the chicken back home. But maybe I also went to pretty good Chinese restaurants back home [OK, I have eaten once or twice at some nasty place catering to truck driver highway trash, but I understood going IN that it wouldn't be authentic!].

As far as the rest of it goes, being in China in the last part of the nineties and finally now; I believe most people missed seeing any real progressive change. I mean, I go to 7-11, McDs, I buy normal stuff in the supermarkets, and so on.

I think it was hearing from my relatives BEFORE I left, and I STILL get some rather odd "are you REALLY OK over there?" messages [like I am being brainwashed or something..."I am feeling Communist, I am feeling Communist.."] from them that made me realize OTHERS view it as brave, daring, or just stupid! I did come over one month after September 11. That could have had SOMETHING to do with their concern I guess...

Oh well, cheers to the brave undie washers. Now can anyone tell me where to buy, and what brand to buy a decent deodorant here in South China? [Guangzhou]. THAT is really lacking in China I think, because I only found some little blue bottle roll on that doesn't do at ALL!

Michael

yaco · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 473

What is the Chinese word for deodorant ?

It appears to be a scarce commodity in China.

Can someone advise me why Chinese people often spit in public ( this includes, Doctors/medical staff in hospitals ).

xiaoyu · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2003 10:14 pm Post subject:

yaco- re: your spitting question.... in china it is not seen as offensive... just as farting in public isn't considered offensive nor belching (though some of that is changing due to the city culture arising thru contact with foreigners, etc.)..... traditionally, from what i understand and was told by friends in china, spitting was believed to get rid of the sickness in your body (which can be understood, do you remember you mom telling you to not swallow the phlegm when you had a cold?)..... if you go to better hospitals that have more western standards of operation you wont' find the spitting ..... takes a bit getting used to.... but i found that one could end up reading body language to get out of the way when the spittle was flying... and actually find that i miss the ability to spit my lugee when i need to now that i am stateside again....
i wonder does this make me too close to a "native"? Wink

things such as the spitting that initially caused me the most pause when i arrived in china are now some of the things i miss the most.... don't get me wrong i don't miss seeing small children defecate on the sidewalks or adults urinating in the alley.... Embarassed

xiaoyu