30 Things That Interest Me About China

I've been lucky enough to be in an industry that does business in Asia. Over the last several years, I have gone on many trips to China... and have come to appreciate its unique culture. Whenever I go there, I always experience something completely different. Below are some things I find interesting about China:




1. Automatic urinals flush BEFORE you use them

Enjoying some delicious "bone juice"

2. The dialects in China are based on "tones". Therefore, the same word can mean several different things depending on how you say it.

3. There are MANY different dialects in China (no such thing as simple "Chinese")

4. Coke and McDonald's seem to taste better in China

5. Maids like to turn off air conditioning and open windows when you leave hotel room

6. People prefer to drink HOT water (instead of cold). Apparently, it's supposed to be better for your body

7. Lane dividers (and stop lights) are more of a suggestion

8. Musicians specifically write songs for karaoke purposes

9. Karaoke involves dice, "companions", and drinks

The "7 Star" Lake in Zhao Qing

10. Getting pizza in China is easy, but getting a plain (non-seafood) pizza is not

11. Hong Kong and Macau are parts of China, but not all Chinese people are allowed to travel there freely

12. "Yes" doesn't necessarily mean "Yes" (it means I heard you)

13. Breathing in through teeth means "No"

14. If food is gross or doesn't taste good, it's either "good for body" or "good for man"

Whole fish (including eyes)

15. If you order fish, you're going to get a "whole fish" (eyes are "good for man")

16. "Seafood" means that you're going to see your food alive before you eat it. Chinese people like fresh food!

17. Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook are blocked in China... but Chinese websites featuring copyright videos are not

18. DVDs cost $1 (series like Prison Break & 24 are super popular)

19. Fried rice is served at the end of your meal

20. People do not own ovens (therefore, cookies are a luxury item)

21. Beer is not drunk purely for enjoyment... people either abstain from drinking or drink to get drunk (no middle ground)

Guangzhou sunrise

22. Getting a dark beer is nearly impossible

23. Go-kart racing is the best thing ever

24. The train system is more advanced than in US

25. Mobile phone ringtones are all cheesy pop songs

26. Fruit is served after every meal

27. Hotel rooms are much more spacious than in the US (better service as well)

28. People don't drink very much coffee (obviously)... and most coffee shops open after 9am


29. The average age of a millionaire in China is only 39 (that average is much higher in USA)


30. Many Chinese citizens that live in rural parts of the country are not allowed to work/live in the major cities. 

Chef Ken#1 (me) cooking up fried bananas