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China Tourist Attractions – You Must Visit and Avoid

November 5, 2014

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Qin dynasty Terracotta Army, Xian (Sian), China

China Tourist Attractions – You Must Visit and Avoid

The gate was ancient entrance way into towns and cities in China

While living in China I primarily did most of my traveling for work related reasons. Sometimes, a visit to a factory in another province was literally an overnight trek (remind me to tell you the story of the duck tape on the wing!), but I always tried as hard as possible to see the surrounding area as much as possible.

Every province, every district, every village even, had its own unique culture, language, and history. While much of that has been eroded today by the Central Government enforcing certain things, like only Mandarin to be taught in schools, it is still very possible to meet people who seem like they’re caught in time.

The country is large (roughly 100,000 sq. miles larger than the US) and has many amazing China tourist attractions for you to visit.

With more than 22 provinces, four directly controlled municipalities, two self-governing special administrative areas and five autonomous regions, it is hard to list a few of the top-notch tourist spots in the country.

I have had the chance to visit some pretty exotic places in China, which I have shared some in this article. I have also mentioned the places that might not be worth your time.

China Tourist Attractions – Sights to See!

Beijing has been China’s capital for more than 700 (rather young, China has had 5 capitals in its long history, Beijing being the newest) years and is indeed one of the finest cities to visit in the country. Some of the best attractions of the city include the famous Great Wall of China, the interesting Forbidden City, the fascinating Temple of Heaven, the lovely Summer Palace and the Olympic Village. Also, I personally always found the Ming Tombs to be very interesting.

Shanghai is another wonderful city in China and has a very dynamic atmosphere that has modernity like that of New York. Some of the sights for you to visit are the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and going on the Huangpu River cruise, and the TV Tower, and an amazing walk along the Bund (***Watch out for pickpockets!!!). There is also an incredible historical side to the city, some great museums, and even the old Jewish ghetto that was used by the Japanese to keep Jews during WWII.

Xi’an is an amazing place to visit if interest historical sites. It houses a huge number of amazing relics and ancient sites. The Entombed Warriors, the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the First Emperor’s Tomb, the Great Mosque and the Ancient City Wall are some of the top sites to see in the city. For seeing the Giant Pandas, you must visit Chengdu.

Chinese terracotta army - Xian — Chinese terracotta army – Xian

Guilin is a beautiful city in the country, and is often regarded as one of the most gorgeous cities in the world. You must visit Long sheng and Yangzhou if you want to have a relaxing time amidst scenic views.

Hangzhou is another city with breathtaking views. Besides the views, it has places like Thousand Islets Lake, Wuhan, Xizang, National Tea Museum and National Silk Museum for you to visit.

China Tourist Attractions – Sights You Should Avoid

Mao’s Mausoleum is a place that can be missed while you are in Beijing. Cameras are not allowed there because of security reasons and the guides at the sight are thugs, waiting to scam the tourists.

The Banpo Neolithic Village and Fang Shui Museum in Xi’an are two other popular tourist traps of the city. Not only are they are also overcrowded and the guides there are always seeking tourists to scam them. Although the famous backstreet of this city hosts great souvenirs of both, Xi’an and China, but many of the vendors there are scammers as well. If you want to purchase a memento from there, make sure to bargain a lot on the price offered to you.

These are just some of the awesome China tourist attractions to visit.

I’ll be writing soon about my two week journey with my Grandpa when he came to visit me in China. Our trip started in Hong Kong, went to Beijing, Shanghai, Zhujiaojiao, and Xi’an. It was an extraordinary trip that anyone should take if given the opportunity.

Enjoy!

China Customs – Passing The Stranger on The Street

November 1, 2014

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China Customs – Passing The Stranger on The Street

There is so much to learn about Chinese culture that I feel I’ll be writing about it a lot. It varies so much from ours that it’s very interesting to learn about and try to understand. Having lived in China for over 7 years, and having had the opportunity to visit many more, I have noticed the cultural variations; every country has its own flavor.

China customs, unlike any other country, also has its own set of norms, language, cultures and traditions. What is considered impolite or rude by you might not be viewed the same by a Chinese. This is because it is an entirely different country and has its separate culture. If you are planning to visit the country, it is imperative for you to have some basic understanding of its culture and behavioral patterns, so you don’t feel strange on encountering the Chinese people.

I have found many people comment that the Chinese are impolite, but in my opinion this is not entirely true as their values and beliefs are different from yours.

The behavior of the Chinese people is quite dissimilar to what is practiced in the West. For instance, in the West, we often greet a passerby on the street and return a smile to them if offered one by a stranger.

However, you won’t experience the same behavior when you are in China. One of the most surprising things that I noticed about Chinese customs was that they seldom greet or smile on seeing strangers.

The reason behind this behavior is how the Chinese view the world.

The Chinese people live by a theory known as the ‘In’ and ‘Out’ theory, in which the close friends and family are the part of the ‘In’ group, whereas the remainder of the world is included in the ‘Out’ group.

This is why they do not adopt what we consider a polite behavior on encountering anyone from that world. They don’t feel obliged to host a welcoming behavior towards the foreigners visiting their country. So, while you are visiting and learning about China customs, you won’t experience many courteous smiles from bus drivers, taxi drivers, salespersons or passersby on their road. At first I found this very rude but I slowly understood that this is how they live.

The Chinese have a very strong bond with their family and treat them with a lot of love and care, and are of the opinion that strangers should not be treated like family, which is why they don’t bother being courteous to the strangers.

The Chinese also view people traveling by themselves with pity and curiosity and may ignore them completely. I initially found this different. In the West, if we ever saw a stranger passing strange looks at us we may feel insulted. However it makes sense when you understand the reason for their behavior.

I learned that Chinese people find it quite unsettling to travel alone, which is why they would behave differently with solo travelers. They always need their close people aka their support group with them while traveling outside their native home homes. Chinese people are very tied to their home towns as it represents the base of there culture, history, language, foods, and communal bonding.

However, China customs are changing in different parts of the mainland. I have noticed this change over the last few years. If you are ever planning a trip to China, I suggest you try passing smiles to the people you meet on the street, in the markets, hotels and elsewhere as this will, and who knows you might get a lovely smile in return.

Oh, and after living in China for so long, I really needed to learn the language. While it helped tremendously being there, my wife being Chinese, I started my adventure of learning the language with this software. It was a big problem for me then not knowing it, and if you’d like to learn too, I’d check it out for sure. Having even the most basic understanding of the language gives great insight into China customs.

Enjoy!

Tipping in China – To Tip or Not to Tip?

October 31, 2014

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Tipping in China – To Tip or Not to Tip?

It was just after I arrived in China for the first time back in 2000. I was part of a team coming from New York to meet with suppliers in China about our ongoing and future projects. I remember we had a great lunch in China, me thinking “real Chinese food from China!” and when we paid I realized no one left a tip on the table.

I was curious and cautiously asked my host why he didn’t tip, as I didn’t want to offend him after such a good meal (but as mentioned before Chinese are very open about discussing etiquette), and being my first time in China.

He said that tipping in China was not common practice, the server was simply doing his job.

Tipping customs and habits are different not only in different countries of the world, but in different restaurants of the same city as well. This is why you can never really be too careful when it comes to respectfully tipping the server or the staff for giving you a proper service.

During my visit to China, I noticed a considerable difference between the Chinese culture, traditions and customs and the American culture, traditions and customs. Chinese do not necessarily appreciate the tipping custom as we Americans do. Therefore, I think, it is important that you understand if you should tip at all.

In American cities, it is customary to give a generous tip. Each city and State has a general rule, some tip 10%, some double the tax, but tips are normal and considering that the server worked hard for you to get your meal. The tip is a healthy amount of money to express and pay for the gratitude that you feel towards the server.

However, when tipping in China, in most restaurants, the servers in restaurants never really get the tip you give them. Yes, it is true! In fact, the tip that you award the server for his good performance goes right into the pocket of the owner who had nothing to do with serving you the food you ate that night.

This is one of the reasons as to why tipping in China is considered a token gesture instead of anything else. In some restaurants, the tip that the servers get is divided equally among the staff of the restaurant to promote financial equality and goodwill. This means that there is no competitiveness and that the servers work with one another in harmony.

In some local restaurants that only cater to the citizens of China, there is absolutely no tipping policy at all! The restaurant owners do not promote tipping as they believe it is not a healthy practice. However, restaurants that get many foreign customers do bend the rules a little when it comes to tipping the servers because the foreigners are playing by the rules of their own country and would find it hard to understand why they should not tip the server who catered to their needs.

Nevertheless, in the view of many Chinese restaurant owners and locals alike, tipping is perceived to be a very common yet not always understood why a foreigner may just “give away money.”

Tipping is generally considered an unnecessary practice. Therefore, whenever you hire a car or get a bellhop to take your things up to your hotel room, you do not have to particularly worry about this practice as it can make you feel unwelcome in certain circles. Always judge the atmosphere you are in and observe if the people around you are following the practice or not. In other words, if you’re traveling and you’re staying in a known worldwide hotel, the staff and probably most of the customers are used to tipping. If you’re staying in a more local establishment, more so not.

If you feel comfortable, you can even ask your server if tipping is the norm here or not.

Even though tipping servers in restaurants might be a custom that the Chinese have adopted in restaurants that cater to foreign individuals, the habit of tipping bellhops and taxi drivers is still something foreign to them. However, if you want to show your gratitude, do it in a respectful way and tell them that you enjoyed the service they provided you with.

In the end though, with so many westerners visiting and traveling, tipping in China is being accepted, so if you feel like go ahead, nothing bad will come from it.

Thanks!

Crossing the Street in China Safely

October 30, 2014

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Crossing the Street in China Safely

Even after 7 years, crossing the street in China sometimes felt like I was tempting fate. That’s not to say that it isn’t safe, but upon first arrival it can feel like an ordeal just crossing the roads. I remember seeing people just walk across without looking, or cars making turns from the right lane over 4 lanes of traffic at the last moment to make a left!

Eventually I got used to crossing the street in China and just accepted that was the way of life. But it made for some great stories.

The Chinese traffic poses a great risk to your safety and can even result in your death as well if you try meddling with it too much.

The roads in the country are almost always jam-packed with traffic (once took me 4hrs to travel 60 miles). Cars, trucks, cycles, bikes, rickshaw and taxi- you name the vehicle and you will see it on the road. Apart from the heavy traffic, another factor that makes walking on the roads extremely difficult is the lack of driving experience of the drivers.

The country had about 10 million vehicles during 2000. This number increased to 70 million in 2010, with more being bought each year. Most of the drivers on the roads of China are first-generation drivers. Most of them do not know the basics of driving. The country only has about 3 percent of the world’s drivers, but most of them are unaware of road systems.

Unfortunately, due to a lot of inexperiences, many drivers with fake licenses, not enough time on the road, has lead China to having one of the highest death rate in the world by car accident, something to keep in the back of your while while crossing the street in China.

To make sure that you don’t become a victim of these serious accidents, you need to be very careful while crossing the streets in China.

If you are a pedestrian, then you need to follow the rules set by the vehicles on the road. Follow these simple rules to ensure that you are able to cross the streets safely.

Never Expect Cars to Stop: Yes, you must NEVER expect a single car to stop while you are attempting to cross a street. Drivers in China often run red lights, even several seconds after the red traffic light begins shining. Hence, you must always wait for all cars to pass before beginning to cross the road.
Walk Slowly: Make sure to walk slowly while crossing the road. While crossing in a hurry, you can get hit by a fast paced car (or bicycle), so don’t hurry while crossing the road and be cautious.
Look at Both the Sides of the Road: While stepping on the road, make sure to look at both sides to ensure that no vehicle is passing by. Once you are sure of this, you can start crossing the road.
Use the Right Side of the Street: Though the law states that the vehicles should use the right side of the streets and roads, the right side is seldom seen packed with traffic. This is because the middle lane is quite safe to travel and slow-moving cars and pedestrians normally use the right side, so you should try using this side often.
Let a Vehicle Overtake: If you hear a vehicle honking loudly, give it space to overtake you by moving to the right side.
Beware of a Vehicle Turning Corners: According to the law, vehicles are allowed to take a right turn even when the red light is showing on the traffic signal (in many cities not all). So, if you see a turn, lookout for any vehicles waiting to use it and use it carefully.
Be Extra Careful on the Roundabout: The roundabout is a very scary place to walk around. You’ll find the traffic cluttered around a roundabout on roads in the country. Hence, you need to be super careful while crossing the streets near a roundabout.

While I wouldn’t call it an art form crossing the street in China safely… it does take some time getting used too. In the major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, you’ll see many more vehicles stopping at lights and obeying the laws. Many of these drives are professional trained by taxi companies and are fined if the customer complaints (if taking a taxi, always ask for a receipt. It has the correct total on it and the number to call if there was a problem).

You’ll see plenty of westerners crossing the streets as well and most get used to it after a while. While it sure is an experience, enjoy your trip, too!

Scams in China – What’s Common How to Avoid Them

October 27, 2014

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Scams in China – What’s Common and How to Avoid Them

After living in China for well over 7 years, I’ve experienced first hand or heard from friends just about every scam out there. They exist everywhere, so be ready to face some interesting ones on your trip to China as well. My wife is from China and having many friends there, they hate when these things happen to both Chinese citizens and tourists as it completely takes away from such a rich experience!

I have listed here some of the commonly experienced scams in China so you can avoid them when a scammer approaches you.

Scams in China: Tea House or Practice English

Unfortunately this happens all too often, often with young tourists looking to meet new local friends.

The ‘tea house’ or ‘practice English’ scam is a very long-running and popular scam of the country and is practiced almost everywhere in the country. A scammer practicing this scam will approach you and engage you in a conversation. After a little while, that person will ask you to practice English, try a Chinese tea or go for karaoke in a restaurant nearby.

On reaching that restaurant, that person will excuse herself for using the restroom and soon, you’ll be presented with a huge bill. That person won’t return and you’ll be obliged to pay the bill.

To make sure that you don’t fall into this trap, you need to stay on a lookout for any attractive people, especially girls who might seem interested in talking to you. Your scammers could also be a friendly couple, or a group of young people. If you are approached by such people, you should politely refuse to talk to them and take another way. Even if you do talk to them, never go to any place with them.

Scams in China: Black Taxi Scams

Of all the scales in China, this one, I believe, happens the most.

Illegal taxis referred to as ‘black taxis’ are widespread in the country. They are mostly found around tourist spots and the airports in Beijing. If you sit in a black taxi, you will be at the mercy of the driver. The taxi driver could use a fake meter to produce a huge taxi fare based on wrong rates.

Besides that, the driver could drop you off at a random destination after collecting the fare from you; or he could drive off with your luggage after you get out of the taxi.

To protect yourself from this scam, you need to wait for a taxi by using the official queue for taxis at the airport. Moreover, always grab the taxi that has a license plate starting with ‘京 B.’ if a taxi driver approaches you, then either ask him to leave or tell him you have already booked a taxi.

Counterfeit Money Scam

This scam is practiced all across the country. There are many counterfeit notes in circulation and the tourists visiting the country are easily fooled by these bills. To make sure you are not offered a counterfeit bill, you should properly inspect all the notes given to you when you get change from a store or pay any bill (be sure to read my post about currency in China). Take care of the Y100 and Y50 bills and if a note feels slippery, thin or has a wrong watermark, you should reject it. If the person providing you with that note doesn’t take it back, then cancel the transaction.

Cheap Tour Scams

Tour scams are often practiced near the tourist spots like the ‘Great Wall of China.’ The scammers practicing will lure you into traveling on a cheap bus and will make you believe that you’ll get the best tour of your life. You will be charged way more than the actual worth of the tour. However, in reality, the tour will be extremely cheap and you won’t be shown the major tourist attractions.

To keep these scammers at bay, you need to avoid impulsively jumping on any tourist bus or paying for any tour without examining its details in depth. Moreover, ask several questions from your tour guide to ensure you are not being scammed. Another good tip is to select a tour organized by the hotel you are staying in.

I’m also collecting a list of top tour guides in China that I’ve personally used and would recommend.

Because language barrier can be such a problem, you have this problem, I have this problem. I went out and spent a full day researching it to find our solution. I found this, and so far I have to tell you, it’s working pretty well. Here’s the link so you can check it out for yourself: learn the Chinese Language with Rocket Chinese

Unfortunately, scams in China do exist and it’s for a variety of reasons that I’ll be writing about in other posts. But remember, you’re there for fun! Enjoy the ancient country, amazing sites and awesome food!

Chinese And American Cultural Differences

October 23, 2014

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Chinese And American Cultural Differences

Having lived in Hong Kong for over 7 years, one of the first questions I found people asking me was “What’s some Chinese and American Cultural Differences?” Every time I came home I’d be asked this question and very often when meeting new ex-pats first arriving in Hong Kong. I hope this list can offer some (basic) insight into our differences and I’ll be writing plenty more on the topic.

As an American, you have probably familiarized yourself with some of the customs, etiquettes and other different aspects pertaining to the country. However, you may still be quite unaware of Chinese and American cultural differences. Culture defines a community’s or society’s style of living that means that the term culture actually encompasses many things that do not come under any specific definition.

This is one of the reasons why culture is a very broad area that cannot be summarized in even 2000 words. Plus, China is over 100,000 sq. miles larger than the US, with as many varying cultures and 56 ethnic groups as well. However, there are some basic pointers that will help you gain an idea regarding what is so different about the Chinese culture and how much it deviates from the typical American culture.

Independence Vs. Codependence

One of the primary Chinese and American cultural differences is that the Chinese culture, much like the broader Asian culture, depends on coexistence and concepts of codependence. This means that people in China rely on others and have a very close knit social circle (the term is called “Guangxi” or connection. I’ll be writing lots about this concept). This is one of the reasons why the people there do not believe in the concept of speaking their mind and doing whatever they just feel like doing. Chinese reflect upon how their actions can affect and shape there families and society.

We, Americans, on the other hand, prefer being self-sufficient and independent. Our ideas of freedom and self-expression differ vastly in nature to the ideas held dear by the Chinese. If we have something on our mind, we will say it in a polite yet blunt manner. The Chinese will not do that because they want to avoid any sort of embarrassing situations. To cite an example, if a party speaks up in disagreement of another party in China, then both parties will find it embarrassing and will end up losing some degrees of respect; this means that both parties will end up losing face.

Lifestyle

During my stay in China, I noticed that many elements of the Chinese lifestyle are not common in the Western way of life. One example is what people do in their old age. In Western countries, people who have reached a certain age often go to retirement homes or adopt pets or engage themselves in some activities.

In China, however, senior citizens stay and live with their family members who take care of them in their old age, all the while living in the same house. This practice is an important part of Asian family customs and traditions.

Punctuality

In Western countries punctuality means that you have to be at a place right on time. However, in China and some other Asian countries, punctuality is not something that is taken very seriously and if a person is 10 to 15 minutes late, he is considered to be on time.

System of Living

There are many aspects of Chinese culture that the Western culture does not have. Chinese people do not believe in lining up in strict queues as Western people do. Instead they try to find a way to get things done in a less disciplined way.

There is also the fact that most Chinese people like to get involved in each other’s affairs whereas Western people are generally more detached and usually mind their own business. Another point of difference comes with regard to the level of respect accorded to superiors In China, people believe the boss/ruler to be above everyone else but in the West, the boss/ruler is considered a man of the people and one who is easily approachable.

These are just a few points of interest of Chinese and American cultural differences.

What always fascinated me was to see the lifestyle in “action” so to speak. Sitting in a factory and seeing the comings and goings of the facility all while having conversation over amazingly great tasting teas. And Chinese people in general take a great interest in our ways of life and culture. You’ll experience the culture in its writing, words, and history. Don’t be afraid to share your own experiences and stories too!

Thanks!

Surviving in China – Be Resourceful

October 20, 2014

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Surviving in China – Be Resourceful

China is a amazing country, ancient, yet breaking at the seams with all that is new and exciting, filled with tall buildings, fast pace of life, great foods, sights, smells, interesting people, and more. However, like any country, China’s approach to many of the same things we deal with, like going to a bathroom and having toilet paper, are approached differently.

I spent most of my days in China visiting factories, whether in southern or northern China, and whenever I met someone going into China for the first time and they asked me the top suggestion for surviving in China? Bring your own toilet paper!

Now, most places that people visit have most modern amenities that people need, certainly most restaurants, hotels and shopping centers in major cities, like Shanghai, but for those more adventurous or even those looking to take a day trip to visit some ancient Buddhist Temple, these tips to surviving in China can be invaluable:

Apart from the regular checklist of things that you need to keep with yourself whenever you are out in a strange country, there are several other things that you need to carry with yourself in China because they are simply not provided to you in the country as they are in the West (I always carry my own shaving kit and shampoos and bottle of water.) Apart from the passport, the VISA, your Identity verification cards, etc. there may be other things that you need.

Some things that you may be looking for might not even be available in many department stores. This is because China has a completely different culture than the American culture and there may be many things that you are used to that the Chinese people do without. Here is a list of things that you need to bring with you:

Deodorants – You might find it hard to believe but reality is that you will not find deodorants in Chinese department stores (unless you can find a Walmart). If you want a deodorant, you have to bring it with you.
Umbrellas (the best kinds are those that fold and collapse so they fit into your bag) – Although they are available in stalls, the cheap ones will rust after a week and the expensive ones might be a little too expensive for you. Bring an umbrella because you will need it in sunny days and when it rains. You cannot survive the sun in China without one (be sure to check out more of my travel tips for weather).
Travel Umbrella
Toilet Paper (or boxes of tissues) – Yes, that is right! Carry toilet paper because most (at least 90%) restrooms in China do not carry them. You might end up in a washroom and discover that it has no toilet paper and then you can end up finding yourself in a very tough situation. Always carry a roll of toilet paper or sanitary wipes with you just in case. Also, bring enough for the trip because toilet paper may not even be available in the stores (or at least most of them).
Tissues or toilet paper can easily fit into you bag
Shampoos, Conditioners and Hair Products – If you are a picky user then you better bring your own shampoos and conditioners from back home. This is because China has only a few well known brands and even in those brands the chemical composition of the shampoo or the conditioner is different than what you and your hair are used to. If you use any particular hair products then it is best that you carry them with you as well because the products you use frequently might not be available in China.
Sunscreen – Many Chinese stores do not carry a lot of sunscreens and even if they do, they do not have them in a wide variety of SPF. This is why you have to carry your own if you want to protect your skin. Chinese people have different melanin consistency in their skin, which is why their skin care products are specifically designed keeping their skin needs in mind.
travel sunscreen
Medicines – If you are on some kind of medication, it would be best for you to bring them with you because sometimes you might not find the right kind of medicine for you in China. There might be similar medications but apart from that, you might have difficulty locating the right one for you. In addition, I’ll have in another post the experiences of walking into a pharmacy in China.
Insect repellant – Take it from me, no local brand has an effect on the creepy crawlies.

Tampons – If you do not use pads and use tampons instead, you will have a hard time in China during that time of the month. Pads are widely available but tampons are not.
Shoes for Large Feet – If you have large feet then take care to bring your own pairs of shoes because finding shoes of your size might be a very difficult task for you.
Pepto Bismol – You might have some trouble adjusting to the kind of water that is available in China so it is wise to carry some pepto. This is not widely available in China so bring yours from home.
Hand Sanitizer – You might need this because of the unavailability of soap in many Chinese washrooms.
travel hand sanitizer
A small flashlight – Short electrical blackouts are common in the country so it is wise to carry a flashlight in case you are stuck in a dark room or end up getting lost in a dark unlit street. Yes! Even for surviving in China, a small flashlight can be in handy. I could tell some stories about walking down a street in Shanghai that was fully lit then turning onto a street that was dark. Having that flashlight was great!
Cash – If you are in China, you will find out that many restaurants and shops do not have a liking for credit cards so they do not accept them. Carry some cash around with you so you are not faced with any difficult situations.
Varying forms of Chinese currency

I would say those are your best bets to bring with you. But, don’t worry too much, most of these things are small and cheap, can easily fit into day bags, and you may not think you may need it, but if you do, you’ll be happy you took it! One great example of a travel kit that has never personally failed me getting through airport security or fitting into my travel bags is the Travel Smart by Conair Transparent Sundry Kit

There is so much more for surviving in China to write about on this topic alone so be sure to check my other posts.

Did you know there is a difference between Chinese Yuan and RMB?

Enjoy!

Dinner in China – Always be Prepared When Going Out

October 20, 2014

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Dinner in China – Always be Prepared When Going Out

I can remember the first time I was invited out for a dinner in China. It has been the early 2000’s, I was in my early 20’s, and I by nature, I was expecting dinner to be exactly like it was in NY! I mean, when I thought about it, I had many friends in New York, had had dinner in there homes, but nope! Dinner in China is a real adventure, a real treat, and some awesome food. I’ll be writing about many kinds of meals, dinners, meanings by dinners, proper placement of seating, who eats first, who eats last, uh-oh I don’t know how to use chopsticks, do I need to drink beer or smoke, and so so so much more.

An example of a private dinning room in a Chinese Restaurant

But, that first dinner… coming into the well lit room with a large round table in the middle with a lazy susan on top, couches on the side, a Mar Jong table on the other side and a TV playing in the front? Not exactly what I had expected, but certainly was a dinner I’ll never forget! Oh, and I do tell the whole story in another post, so be sure to check back!

These are some great tips and suggestions for your dinners. A quite FYI, not all these “rules” apply all the time, but I would follow these rules as my guidelines for all dinners I attended. But, as mentioned above, their will be plenty more!

You might feel confused as to why you need to be prepared when all you will be doing is going out to dinner in China, but you have to keep in mind that you are in an unfamiliar foreign country and you have to observe the rules, customs and traditions of the country you are traveling in. This is why it is always best to be prepared and bring all that you need so that you do not get any unpleasant surprises along the way.

As a tourist and an American citizen, I totally understand why some of the rules may seem really odd; Chinese culture and their rules are different from the culture and rules we follow in the United States of America. I have listed some of the dining etiquettes that you need to observe while having Dinner in China:

Always bring cash.

Credit cards are not always accepted in different Chinese restaurants, which is why it is best to avoid embarrassment when you are paying for a good meal. You should always have some amount of cash with you so that in case you are faced with a situation like this, you can pay the restaurant in cash. Never depend on credit cards in China because they either do not work or are not accepted in different restaurants.

If Invited to Dinner, Bring a Gift

Yes, that is necessary. If someone invites you to have dinner in China with them, it is mandatory and a sign of good manners for you to bring the host something of significance. It can be a token present such as flowers, wine or anything such as that, but it says a lot about your nature and your gratitude. This is one way of showing that you are pleased to be invited and that you are thanking the host for inviting you to dinner.

You also have to take care of basic Chinese etiquettes when you are having dinner in China.

You have to be mindful of things that they consider important so that you do not seem rude to them. Here is a checklist so that you can be on your best behavior when you are dining with your Chinese friends.

While it is normally considered rude to put your elbows up on the table whilst eating, in China it is considered perfectly normal.
Never be late for a meal.
Never sit in any random place, instead wait for the host to assign you a seat.
Let the older people eat first as it is a sign of respect to them.
You should not only refill your own bowl with rice but also proceed to refill other’s plate whilst asking them if they need refills. Elders like to be offered refills by the younger people on the table.
Close your mouth and swallow soundlessly so you seem more civilized. Chinese people have no patience for ill-mannered people on the table.
Do not hold your chopsticks in such a manner in which your index finger or your middle finger points toward the guests as this can be misconstrued as something obscene or offensive.
Do not spear your food with chopsticks under any circumstances.

I know this seems like a lot for dinner in China, but don’t worry or sweat even an ounce because I have tons more tips to offer so you don’t feel lost for a millisecond!

Plus, these are super quick tips to pick up, they’re often shown to you when you arrive, and most Chinese guests will not take offense if anything above is missed. Chinese are very happy to show why. But, having Dinner in China is filled with more subtleties, and each one of them is like adding a point onto a checklist Chinese keep in there minds.

But! Most important of all! Have fun! The food is fantastic, many sorts of varieties and most does not look like what we have back in America.

Be sure to check back for more posts. Is it true tea is served all over the country? Well…. Or, rice is the staple food, right? Not really… And why is chicken served first and fish last? Or one of my favorites, did he REALLY just eat the whole fish??? Why? And, do I really need to eat that???

Oh, and why do locals tap two fingers when tea is being poured?

Enjoy!

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