Posts by Arcanan

Thanks, Daniello, for this positive message about a country that the French know so little about—and sometimes even refuse to see for what it really is. Personally, I’ve only spent time in cities, apart from the Great Wall near Beijing, some fishing villages near Hong Kong, and the water towns like Nanxun, close to Shanghai. I’m defending my thesis on March 15th, and I’ve got a job starting May 1st in Shanghai, a fascinating city where I plan to settle. As you rightly said, you *can* eat badly in China or have a bad experience—just book through Booking.com. But the vast majority of restaurants I’ve been to offered excellent food at very low prices, from noodle and shrimp soup in the subway to roast duck (not Peking duck) at the Hyatt hotel. When you live there, you can find creamy-edged camembert, excellent New Zealand beef ribs, countless fresh vegetables, and always-ripe fruit. But I think that’s true of any country—it depends on who you are and how you behave. You might hate Vienna (Austria) because sitting on the grass is forbidden and you have to pay to visit the cathedral. Or you might love it if you find a quiet family-run guesthouse and enjoy smoking a cigar in a *Winstub* with a brass band.

Safe travels to everyone, and don’t believe everything you read in the papers!

Yeah, in the moment it’s pretty annoying because you’re wasting time, but afterward, it still makes for good memories—though when the police take your passport and make you get into the police car during the arrest, you freak out a bit because you have no idea why they’re stopping you!!! I did have a VPN on my laptop and panicked they’d see it, but since it was in French, they didn’t catch on at all!!!!

For the VPN, I got permission from my company. I think tourists should be able to get it too—worth checking. Anything’s possible as long as you’re not breaking the law. Also, make sure to register with the French embassy or consulate before you leave. Really understand how your travel insurance (Visa or otherwise) works too. For Visa Premier, for example, double-check how it functions: there are two separate insurance policies managed by two different providers—one for trip cancellation issues before you travel and another for medical problems on-site. Set up your account(s) before you leave, and don’t call the number on the back of the card. Otherwise, it’s a nasty surprise... Rule of thumb: don’t do anything without their prior approval via email. Prepare this before you leave, not in a panic while you’re there. Things are clearer with Mondial Assistance (or similar), which isn’t too expensive for a short trip. I don’t work for them at all, and I know we’re not supposed to advertise here... but it’s a super important point. I learned that the hard way

In October 2017 in Xinjiang, in Kuitun (east of Urumqi), I was stopped by the Chinese police and taken to the police station, where I spent an afternoon being interrogated. From what I understood during the interrogation (same questions for hours, I think to see if I gave the same answers every time), the police thought I was a journalist "disguised" as a tourist. They checked my camera and my laptop. Everything went courteously, and once they were sure I wasn’t a journalist, they drove me back in a police car to where they’d stopped me! During my road trips (Urumqi, Kuitun, and Urho, then back to Urumqi), I was checked at least fifteen times, with each stop lasting at least 10 to 15 minutes. Same thing—always courteous—even during one check when it was very cold, they had me come into a prefab building and brought me a chair!! Only one check had a very cold atmosphere (not meteorologically speaking!!!), where the officer who checked me didn’t even deign to look at me and didn’t say a word... And a little laugh with two police officers in Urho, where I was waiting in the lobby of my hotel. When I saw the officers come in, I took out my passport to hand to them, but they walked right past me without even checking me. As they left, they said in English, "have a nice trip in Urho"!!!

That’s the China I know :) Stay zen, and everything goes well—sometimes slowly, which gives you time to meditate and observe... You never waste your time by staying positive and avoiding complaints. But what’s said in this post should make us vigilant. Bring a "clean" laptop to avoid any misunderstandings: no photos of your bedroom exploits, etc. Jean

For my part, I’ve taken many trips to Greece and Italy when I was younger. I mainly took the ferry from Ancona to Patras, but also traveled by road through the former Eastern Bloc countries. I never had any problems anywhere. We once left a large camera bag containing all our money on a terrace in Genoa. When we returned a few hours later, we found our bag untouched behind the bar at the restaurant. I think it all depends on our attitude, no matter where I’ve been. I’ve always been extremely cautious in highly touristy areas by not flaunting anything that might attract envy: keeping my watch in my pocket, wearing ordinary and worn-out clothes, using minimal photo gear that’s artificially aged, and never looking like I’m searching for something—only pulling out a map in discreet spots. In Naples, for example, I accepted the paid help of a young local "guide" and was able to go wherever I wanted without any issues. A little common sense never hurts.

In China, I only go for work, so most of my tourist stops are with Chinese friends. But I often go for walks in Shanghai in the evening, sometimes very late, and no one has ever bothered me. In professional relationships, I’ve never had any bad surprises after concluding a contract—sometimes just verbal but always very detailed and therefore inevitably time-consuming. I’m learning Chinese, which makes my interlocutors laugh a lot, but everyone appreciates the effort you’re making.

In two years, it’s 15 days in Xinjiang, and I’m sure I’d still have fewer problems than if I wandered off the beaten path in southern France! !

In light of my experience in Xinjiang in September 2018, I wouldn’t be so sure. Unless you’re talking about some of the notoriously rough areas in southern France.

Controls in Xinjiang are frequent and often extremely thorough.

For example, during my first train trip (Kashgar -> Kuqa), my backpack was searched completely, including the contents of an aspirin tube and a vitamin C tube. Once everything was unpacked and inspected, I was urgently told to pack up quickly, and my toiletry bag paid the price (probably mistakenly handed to the passenger next to me by the inspector).

Generally, access controls at Xinjiang’s train stations are strict and very time-consuming. Much more so than at other train stations I’ve used in Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Shaanxi. In fact, when returning to Xinjiang, it was the only time I had an ID check on the train, between Liuyuan and Hami, including a photo of my passport, visa, and my face in the background: "welcome to Xinjiang" 😐.

Additionally, there are areas in Xinjiang where tourists are unofficially banned from entering.

For instance, in Yèchéng/Kargilik, I was stopped even before leaving the train station. To exit the station, there’s an ID check, like in Ürümqi (but surprisingly not in Kuqa). Spotted in the queue, I was taken aside by two security officers and escorted by four soldiers. The escort was polite but firm.

After a long wait—probably to get approval from higher-ups—the verdict came: no visiting anything. The security officers escorted me to the bus station, where they found me a shared taxi to Shāchē/Yarkand.

In Yarkand, I didn’t even get close to the city. At the first road checkpoint east of the city, I was pulled out of the shared taxi, taken over by three plainclothes officers, and driven to the western checkpoint. After a very long wait, I was finally handed off to a private vehicle (since there was no more public transport) heading to Kashgar. I arrived at 3:30 AM Beijing Time after multiple road checks.

But my troubles weren’t over. The neighborhood around my youth hostel (east of the lake) was blocked off by police, and I had to walk around three sides—2.5 km instead of 200 m—on foot, since it wasn’t in the direction of my escort.

In all my travels (see my profile), I’ve never experienced anything like this. Even the state of siege in Srinagar (Indian Kashmir) seems mild in comparison.

The Chinese state is highly professional in its security control over Xinjiang, using state-of-the-art technology. This includes 24/7 automatic photo identification of everything passing through major urban and intercity roads. It applies to both Han Chinese and Uyghurs without discrimination.

In Xinjiang, while train station access controls are tedious, they’re still less time-consuming than the numerous road checks. Stick to trains if you can!

Access to markets and bazaars is often also subject to security checks (X-ray for bags, metal detectors, pat-downs, and body scans). Even the very modest open-air market in the Uyghur town of Kuqa was surrounded by barbed wire fencing.

Surveillance cameras are everywhere, including in rural areas—like near a desecrated Muslim cemetery. I only realized this after a police car came to check on me and delete the photos I’d taken with my smartphone. Before that forced deletion, I’d only seen decorative ruins with the photogenic backdrop of the Flaming Mountains. The photo deletion made me question why what I’d seen was "sensitive."

In crowded places, like Kashgar’s historic old town, the police presence is overwhelming—almost 2-3 officers patrolling every 30 meters. And that’s just the uniformed ones...

These security measures are approved and appreciated by all the English-speaking Han Chinese I’ve discussed this with—both locals and tourists from coastal China (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen...).

Fabrice Non-Chinese speaker, though I’ve learned to count and use survival vocabulary (train station, train, bus, hotel, youth hostel, museum...).

P.S.: In Xinjiang, as well as in Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Shaanxi, I had excellent interactions with the Chinese people I met, whether they spoke English or not. Just avoid groups.

What on earth are you planning to do in Xinjiang, LOL? You’re not unaware that there have been numerous attacks by Uyghur extremists that resulted in massacres at several train stations. The way this is managed is undoubtedly more "radical" than here, but as you point out, the Han Chinese appreciate this heavy police presence. You came back safe and sound—that’s what matters. And now you better understand the word "Chinese complications" :) Keep cool in all circumstances. If you travel with a general hatred of "cops," there might be some... misunderstandings.

Besides, I’ve made over 50 trips to Shanghai and Beijing before, and no one ever checked me outside the airport.

And outside major museums and train stations (though more casually there)

Yeah, I forgot about the big museums, etc... exactly like here, my good sir

Besides, I’ve made over 50 trips to Shanghai and Beijing before, and no one checked me outside the airport.

And outside major museum entrances, and outside train station entrances (more casually)

And now what?

I just got back from China and noticed the same things as you. I’d even add that for the Chinese, respecting traffic laws and copyright is more of a vague suggestion.

Now, while I sometimes felt the crowds were too dense and the subway too packed, you have to realize there are 25 million people in Beijing and 35 million in Shanghai. That’s Canada’s entire population in one city.

The concept of lining up doesn’t seem to exist. So when in Rome, do as the Romans do! I realized I’m pretty good at cutting in line.

You’re searched everywhere—that’s not Chinese culture, it’s the Communist Party’s control. Not really to control everything, but to make people realize they *could* know everything if they wanted. Because I seriously doubt a terrorist would target the Beijing subway, given how little the Chinese are involved in international conflicts.

The language—yeah, it can be frustrating at times. Some people don’t speak English and don’t even try. Fortunately, not everyone’s like that, and things are changing. I chatted with the woman sitting next to me on the train, and she told me her 3-year-old daughter was taking private English lessons.

So yes, I had a wonderful trip. But after 10 days, I was really glad when my plane touched down in Dorval.

I don’t quite understand what you mean about copyright. It’s true that working with the Chinese requires a good understanding of their culture. The best thing, of course, is to have Chinese friends. A verbal agreement carries much more weight there than here, but once something is decided, they stick to it. You really have to understand that the Chinese are excellent businesspeople in every sense. Negotiating every point of a contract is a must, and it can take time. Always stay calm, courteous, and respectful of their customs, and everything will go smoothly. Like any good businessperson, the Chinese want to keep their clients or partners happy. Scams might happen in tourist spots, targeting people you’ll never see again. But who hasn’t been scammed on the French Riviera? If it happens to you, just shout to draw a crowd and get the police involved. You’ll see how quickly things get resolved, even if you don’t speak Chinese. Safe travels to everyone, and leave your prejudices and arrogance at home before you go.

September 2018

No, I don’t think things have changed toward foreigners. But you can feel an increase in anti-terrorism surveillance in very busy places. Obviously, it’s done the Chinese way—just for show, with an unusual attitude. In short, they check anyone a police officer considers suspicious. I don’t know anyone this has happened to, and I appreciate being able to walk anywhere at night without fear of being attacked.

Security gates have been at every metro entrance for a long time. In Beijing, they were already there in 2010. Ten days to discover a country is short, and the East isn’t the West. The countryside exists, and while the Chinese may be discreet, they’re still curious.

Totally agree. It’s annoying to hear tourists give their opinion on “China” when they’ve only seen a small part of it—usually some tourist-infested area. I’ve been living in Shanghai for 6 months and have never been checked. In fact, I’ve made over 50 trips to Shanghai and Beijing before, and no one ever checked me outside the airport. But I’m clean-shaven and don’t wear a backpack or South American guerrilla-style shoes.

Security gates have been at every metro entrance for a long time. In Beijing, they were already there in 2010. Ten days to discover a country is short, and the East isn’t the West. The countryside exists, and while the Chinese may be discreet, they’re still curious.

I don’t think the scale is as limited as that. These are very determined Muslim extremists. Western media only reports massacres with swords involving more than 10 people. But Chinese authorities are right to be extremely vigilant, especially in the metro, especially if you’re carrying a backpack. If an “innocent” tourist is checked, it’s also a way to show them the situation is under control.

Mirror, mirror... aren't I the fairest of them all?

Perfect timing, only 3 weeks left! I completely agree with you: traveling in China is great!

Everywhere as a tourist or as an expat in Shanghai, it's great. Elsewhere, it's much less so. That's my opinion, which by the way aligns overall with the person who started this discussion. Sorry that so many of us don’t see eye to eye with you on everything...

You should write a book "Bouvard and Pécuchet in China"

PS: It’s striking how, in the 1960s, the Chinese revolution was presented to the Chinese primarily as a struggle against the rich, the educated, and landowners. Yet today, it’s become a revolution against the foreign invader (who, between us, didn’t go very far, didn’t stay long, and was mostly Japanese before becoming Western). Some will see this shift in official discourse as a wonderful example of the "pragmatism" that Sino-enthusiasts in France so often praise. Others will see it as pure manipulation and dangerous revisionism, conditioning 1 in 7 people on the planet to believe it’s their right to take revenge on anything foreign. And that newfound financial success and aggression justify everything.

Given the behavior of the government and the people both at home and abroad, I lean more toward the second analysis.

Absolutely. I’m not entirely sure why I’m even replying. I know quite a few French people who ended up in Shanghai for work for a few days, convinced it was a polluted, overcrowded city full of beggars everywhere. They were so shocked by what they saw that they... refused to see it and went back to France with the same ideas, telling me what’s already been said here: "Shanghai isn’t China." Well... LOL

Glad to see everyone digging in their heels. And if you want to consider yourselves filthy descendants of awful thieves, good for you. The Chinese don’t ask for that—they just need people like you to fuel their propaganda, portraying them as eternal, defenseless victims on the international stage. And you’re cheaper than a poster or a speech at the UN.

Go ask Koreans or Vietnamese what they think of the kind Chinese who enslaved them for centuries.

Ask the country’s minorities if they feel free and if they don’t feel like they’re living in human zoos.

Ask Filipinos or Vietnamese what they think of Chinese ships coming into their territory and declaring it’s theirs...

Ask Southeast Asian countries or European business owners if they’re happy about the Chinese tidal waves (see a very interesting Al Jazeera report on the behavior of Chinese tourists in Paris...).

Ask North Africans or Africans elsewhere if they’re satisfied with the Chinese presence in their countries—same in Australia or Western Canada.

In the meantime, I wish you lots of happiness in your new Chinese life. It’s true that defending a country where it’s normal to be disrespectful to others and where self-reflection is nonexistent is quite the evolution... Especially when, after spending so much time in the country, you don’t even have the excuse of being a wide-eyed foreigner seeing everything as fresh and beautiful.

After that, maybe spitting, screaming, bullying, and being forbidden to think for yourself suits you. To each their own. I stand by what I said—we’ll talk about it again in 5 or 6 years.

And I still think it’s unfair to attack the person who started this thread, whose only mistake was reflecting on the incivility and passive aggression they witnessed here.

Good evening,

Just a little aside. I’d seen a French TV report showing Chinese tourists in Paris, where shopkeepers—especially those from luxury brands—were thrilled, explaining that the Chinese spend huge sums in Paris in all the high-end stores in record time. For everything flooding the market, it’s still *countries* that let Chinese goods in (bought at very low costs) to sell them cheaper in the West. It’s still some of our companies that *offshored* production to manufacture at lower costs and resell here at big profits. Basically, it’s like war—some profit from it, others suffer because of it. (That quote isn’t mine.) Best regards

Excess is meaningless (Lao Tzu, probably). You hate China and the Chinese—don’t let that put others off.

Glad to see everyone digging in their heels. And if you want to see yourself as a filthy descendant of awful thieves, good for you. The Chinese don’t ask for that—they just need people like you to fuel their propaganda, painting them as eternal, defenseless victims on the international stage. And you’re cheaper than a billboard or a speech at the UN.

Go ask Koreans or Vietnamese what they think of the "kind" Chinese who enslaved them for centuries.

Ask the country’s minorities if they feel free and if they don’t feel like they’re living in human zoos.

Ask Filipinos or Vietnamese what they think of Chinese ships showing up in their waters and declaring it’s their territory...

Ask Southeast Asian countries or European business owners if they’re happy about the Chinese tidal wave (see the fascinating Al Jazeera report on Chinese tourists’ behavior in Paris...).

Ask North Africans or other Africans if they’re satisfied with China’s presence in their countries—same goes for Australia or Western Canada.

In the meantime, I wish you lots of happiness in your new Chinese life. It’s true that defending a country where it’s normal to be disrespectful to others and where self-reflection is nonexistent is quite the step forward... Especially when, after spending so much time there, you can’t even use the excuse of being a wide-eyed foreigner seeing everything as fresh and wonderful.

Maybe spitting, screaming, bullying, and being forbidden to think for yourself suit you just fine. To each their own. I still think we’ll revisit this in 5 or 6 years.

And I still think it’s unfair to attack the person who started this thread—their only mistake was reflecting on the incivility and passive aggression they witnessed here.

We introduced opium there to better enslave them. But the Chinese don’t hold it against us.

Two sentences, two mistakes and oversimplifications. It wasn’t to enslave China that the British forcibly introduced opium produced in their Indian colony, but to restore a trade balance that had become catastrophically unbalanced: China exported a lot of goods (especially porcelain, silk, and tea) and imported almost nothing, thus accumulating a growing portion of Europe’s silver reserves, while the silver mines in Mexico and Peru were running dry.

Chinese government propaganda never misses an opportunity to harp on about the resentment over humiliations suffered in the 19th century. Western visitors usually don’t notice this, as this internal propaganda is never translated. Besides, it doesn’t seem to resonate with the Chinese either—across all social classes, they have an idealized vision of France, made of romance and luxury (how many times have I heard the cliché 法国人很浪漫 = the French are very romantic!).

Moreover, the summary of Alain Peyrefitte’s excellent book is strangely off compared to the text. While this encounter was indeed a missed opportunity (the word the author uses), it’s because the British were seeking purely commercial relations, whereas the Chinese saw this mission as the recognition of the vassalage of those distant foreigners. The Macartney mission was doomed to fail due to this mutual misunderstanding.

A thousand apologies if my summary, which only aimed to encourage people to read Peyrefitte’s book, was a bit off. I did, however, mention a clash of cultures. But culture, as you seem to know better than anyone, is like jam...

Excuse me, but living in Shanghai for 6 months doesn’t mean you know China. It’s like living in NYC for 6 months and saying you know the US, or spending a little time in Paris and boasting that you know Europe (which, by the way, many Chinese people do)...

We’ll see what you say in 6 years. I spent 3 years in Shanghai and have been in Shenzhen for 2 years. Shanghai isn’t China. The people there are much more refined, international, open-minded, and educated. Shanghai has its own history and culture, shaped by outside influences and a certain art of living. Other Chinese people are almost ashamed of it, while Shanghai residents are proud. You’ll see that when you leave Shanghai and speak Chinese to the locals, most Chinese people dislike Shanghai residents because they’re different—it touches on a certain complex. They’ll call them arrogant, pretentious, effeminate... when in reality, they’re just cleaner, more open-minded, and better educated.

I can tell you that outside Shanghai, you’re dealing with proud rustics who spit everywhere, aren’t always honest, and are very nationalistic. I won’t even get into the mediocre service, which reflects the lack of respect given to anyone outside their inner circle.

Just last Friday, I asked the ticket counter to top up my metro pass. I’d barely handed my card to the clerk when a woman who couldn’t have been 40 came out of nowhere, shoved me aside without a second thought, and slapped her card down, telling the employee, "Add 50." And there wasn’t even a line—just her and me. This is typical, everyday behavior: rude, "move over, it’s my turn," I’m paying so I’m right. Yeah, well, so am I, and the employee had already started helping me, so I think you can wait 40 seconds.

I see a lot of well-meaning people painting a picture of younger generations calling out their elders for bad manners. Open your eyes—it’s nonsense. This happens because you’re a foreigner and it’s obvious you don’t live here. 90% of the time, they’ll walk all over you without a second thought, no matter your age, especially if they think they’re richer than you (a pretty relative criterion, but hey, it makes them so happy, so let’s not bruise their new-money pride).

Anyway, I’m amused reading so many comments from people who’ve only seen China through tourist eyes, defending the country wholeheartedly when they barely know it... and who don’t seem much more legitimate than the person who started this thread to judge the country, contrary to what they believe. Why start so aggressively when your experience is often just as relative as theirs?

Believe me, no Chinese person would bother defending your country the way you’re defending theirs. And when you’re treated well as a tourist, remember it’s just a commercial facade, a community reflex from local propaganda. They drill it into their heads through various means that they must show foreigners their best face, because you don’t catch flies with vinegar, and you don’t spit on a smiling face—even if everything they do is aimed at swindling you and gaining dominance over anything that moves.

So I’ll reiterate my agreement with the person who opened this topic. While Chinese people can be endearing and friendly, it’s undeniable that they’re also disrespectful, rude, and selfish—bordering on egotistical. Not to mention their questionable hygiene standards.

As for the argument that "China is on the other side of the world, so it’s different"—sorry, but NO. Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, and Australia are also far away, and that doesn’t stop them from being polite and respectful. The current behavior of Chinese people isn’t the result of cultural differences but of communism, which eradicated culture, and a worship of money, which strips away respect for others. And let’s be honest—if they wanted to change, they could, but they seem very satisfied with themselves, so don’t hold your breath.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx But what do you know about me to lecture me? I’ve made over a hundred trips to China before settling down, for the past 6 months in Shanghai with my Chinese wife and our two kids. What you’re saying is probably true, but personally, like tourists, I never take the metro given the price of taxis. You probably know places better than I do where neither I nor "ordinary" tourists will ever set foot. That’s your life—I have mine. I’m 55, I’ve been around the world, and I don’t need your advice to understand the difference between Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, or Beijing. These discussions are a bit pointless, but I’m glad I’ve taught some of you that we colonized China and that Mao’s revolt, which kicked us out like thieves, was born from that colonization. For the rest, dear readers, go where you dream of going and form your own opinion. But try not to "do China" in two weeks. If you behave respectfully, nothing unpleasant will happen to you.

A thousand apologies, a misclick 😕 I thought I was replying to Yuean’s message below: (the late hour, no doubt) Best regards

Yuean’s reply to Arcanan Excuse me, but living in Shanghai for six months doesn’t mean you know China. It’s like living in NYC for six months and saying you know the US, or spending a little time in Paris and boasting that you know Europe (which, by the way, many Chinese people do)...

We’ll see what you say in six years. I spent three years in Shanghai and have been in Shenzhen for two. Shanghai isn’t China. The people there are much more refined, international, open-minded, and educated. Shanghai has its own history and culture, shaped by outside influences and a certain art of living. Other Chinese people are almost ashamed of it, while Shanghai locals are proud of it. You’ll see that when you leave Shanghai and speak Chinese to the general population—most Chinese people dislike Shanghai locals because they’re different, which touches on a certain complex... They’ll call them arrogant, pretentious, effeminate... when in reality, they’re just cleaner, more open-minded, and better educated.

I can tell you that outside Shanghai, you’re dealing with proud boors who spit everywhere, aren’t always honest, and are very nationalistic. I won’t even get into the mediocre service, which reflects the lack of respect given to anyone outside their inner circle.

Just last Friday, I asked the ticket counter to top up my metro pass. I’d barely handed my card to the clerk when a woman who couldn’t have been 40 pushed me aside without a second thought and slapped her card down, telling the employee, "Add 50." And there wasn’t even a line—just her and me. This is typical, everyday behavior: rude, pushy, "get out of my way, I’m here now, and I’m paying so I’m right." Yeah, well, I’m paying too, and the employee had already started helping me, so I think you can wait 40 seconds.

I see a lot of well-meaning folks painting a picture of a new generation calling out their elders for bad manners. Open your eyes—it’s nonsense. This happens because you’re a foreigner and it’s obvious you don’t live here. 90% of the time, people will walk all over you without a second thought, especially if they think they’re richer than you (a pretty relative criterion, but hey, it makes them so happy—no need to bruise their new-money pride).

Anyway, I’m rather amused reading so many comments from people who’ve only seen China through tourist eyes and yet defend the country wholeheartedly, even though they barely know it... and who don’t seem much more legitimate than the person who started this thread to judge the country, contrary to what they believe. Why start so aggressively when your experience is often just as relative as theirs?

Believe me, no Chinese person would bother defending your country the way you’re defending theirs. And when you’re treated well as a tourist, remember it’s just a commercial facade, a community reflex drilled into them by local propaganda. They’re constantly fed the idea that they must show their best face to foreigners because it serves the authorities’ strategy—they know you don’t catch flies with vinegar, and you don’t spit on a smiling face, even if everything it does is aimed at fleecing you and quietly gaining dominance over anything that moves.

So I’ll reiterate my agreement with the person who opened this topic. While Chinese people can be endearing and friendly, it’s undeniable that they’re also disrespectful, rude, and selfish—borderline egotistical. Not to mention their questionable hygiene standards.

As for the argument that "China is at the other end of the world, so it’s different"—sorry, but NO. Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, and Australia are also far away, and that doesn’t stop them from being polite and respectful. The current behavior of Chinese people isn’t the result of cultural differences but of communism, which has wiped out culture, and a worship of money, which strips away respect for others. And let’s be honest—if they wanted to change, they could, but they seem pretty satisfied with themselves, so don’t hold your breath.

What do you even know about me to lecture me? I’ve spent a hundred stays in China before settling down—six months now in Shanghai. For work, but also by choice; I could only come for periods at a time. What you’re saying is probably true, but personally, like tourists, I never take the metro given how cheap taxis are. You probably know places better than I do where neither I nor "ordinary" tourists will ever set foot. That’s your life; I’ve got mine. I’m 55, I’ve been around the world a bit, and I don’t need your advice to understand the difference between Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, or Beijing.

These discussions are a bit pointless, but I’m glad I’ve taught some of you that we colonized China and that it was this colonization that sparked Mao’s revolt, which kicked us out like the thieves and scoundrels we were.

For the rest, dear readers, go where you dream of going and form your own opinions. But try not to "do China" in two weeks. If you behave respectfully, nothing unpleasant will happen to you.