The good, the bad, the China

While we were only away from China for two weeks, the return felt comparable to how I imagine Dorothy actually felt upon leaving technicolor Oz and returning to Kansas. There are so many things that I like about living in China. But, leaving for a little while made me notice certain unfavorable China traits that the country (well, the very small portion that I’ve seen) possess.

1. Lack of color. True the overwhelming grey in Weifang is due to the extensive smog. Though, it seems that even beyond the skies the country is experiencing pigment deficiency. China is generally pretty dry (at least where we are) so it seems there is a thin layer of dust covering, well, everything. This doesn’t help the “color” problem.

2. Seeing green, or, not. The most welcome, wonderful thing for me (besides the warmth) in Thailand was the abundance of green. It is nearing the end of winter, so granted most trees don’t have any leaves right now. But, even during lovelier times, China is lacking in green. Even in Bangkok, Thailand there were examples of flora everywhere. Living in China I find myself mourning, nature.

3. The stares. Uh, yep, I’m foreign. I’m not from here. So, obviously I need to be stared at uncomfortably as if I were from Mars. Beijing is touristy so the “stares” we receive aren’t as noticeable, or quite as much. Weifang though, and Fangzi, oh jesus! Thailand is so touristy. Like, so so so touristy. I was nothing special. I had forgotten about the stares until one instance when Greg and I were at the grocery store in Fangzi where we noticed an older woman so uncouthly staring at me, bug eyed, and nervous. I don’t bite. Promise.

4. Smoke… cigarette smoke… in the face. Neither Greg or I are cigarette smokers. I don’t mind if people smoke around me generally. It’s really not something that bothers me. Living in my old apartment, for those who know… I mean, comman… you would need a tolerance for smoke.  In China though, it’s a whole other story. Even the most lenient of people could have a problem with the smoke. Most people are quite rude about it, and have no problem smoking anywhere and everywhere, and blowing their smoke right in your face. What’s worse is this multiplied by dozens of people in a crowd. No matter where you turn, you will have smoke all up in your business.

5. Don’t push. I have a difficult time being too too angry about the pushing and shoving of Chinese people. The only reason is because it is merely a cultural thing. It’s not meant to be rude at all. Everyone pushes and shoves. Everyone. We were reminded of this at the airport. We were waiting to board our plane back to China, and for the first time in two weeks were surrounded by Chinese people. Our gate was different from the other gates at the airport. The other gates had orderly lines full of patient people waiting to board. Our gate was a sector of impatient pushers throwing their bows all over the place (unintentionally of course). Unless you join in the brigade of thrusting and shoulder rubbing, you will be left behind.

6. Dirty. It’s no secret that China is very dirty. Walking down the street I’m pretty sure we ingest various ailments. It was nice to breath in fresh air in Thailand. It was nice to blow my nose and not have dust come out. It was also nice to not have some strange cough uncaused by sickness, but by pollution for two weeks.

I do enjoy living in China. But, there are some annoying things that come with the culture. Unfortunately.