Monday, September 5, 2016

Some Things I Don't Love About China

I wrote a post on some of my favorite things about China.  The flip side, of course, is that there are some things I don't love so much:
  • No.Academic.Calendar.  How...???
  • Pollution. You can see it with your naked eyes sometimes.
  • "Due to an important meeting in Beijing, you cannot access Facebook." Basically.
  • KTV.  Just no.  Please.

  • Baijiu.
  • Lines (or lack thereof). Little old ladies are the worst.
  • The stress on conformity.
  • Rigid gender roles.
  • Preference for boys. STILL.
  • Fake things - fake brands, fake grades, fake marriages. Yep.
  • People trying to use your train bed even when they have one of their own.
  • People eat all parts of the animal...every animal.

  • Chinese men smoking everywhere, any time.
  • People taking "secret" pictures of me.  I can see you, pal.

  • The emphasis on high heels...though this is stronger in Hunan than in other parts of the country.
  • "Leftover women."
  • Umbrellas.  I cannot tell you how many times I've been poked by a Chinese woman's umbrella...when it wasn't even raining.
  • The cell phone addiction. It's worse than anywhere.
  • Really, really bad drivers.

  • Printers and copy machines that are scarce and always broken.
  • Noise pollution.  Just not a concept. (Fireworks at 2am right outside the bedroom window, anyone?)
  • Constantly broken sidewalks. When it rains, water gets under the tiles and splashes you when you step on them.
  • Children in split pants peeing on said sidewalks.
  • Lack of decent heating and air conditioning systems. This means constant sweating in summer, and wearing a heavy jacket and accessories indoors all winter.
  • Mei you.  Just whenever.  For no reason.

Thanks to Melody for her contributions.

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