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Contents
Counterfit Goods Counterfeit goods are readily available all around Beijing. Polo shirts, Puma shoes, Columbia jackets, NorthFace backpacks, DVDs, Zippo lighters, Fossil watches, you name it and you can find an imitation product! DVDs are especially common and can be bought anywhere from street corners and apartment halls to malls and electronic markets. Purchasing counterfeit goods is rather common for residents of Beijing; it’s your decision whether or not to do the same. Counterfit Money The problems with counterfeit money are not as serious as they used to be in China but, it is still something to be aware of. You will notice cab drivers and shopkeepers always check the bills you hand them, and you should do the same. The best ways to check for a counterfeit bill are the following:
Supermarket The supermarket in China is different in many ways from back home. In America you can generally get all the items you want relatively quickly and for a low price. In China, the supermarket is more of a convenience than the place to go for deals and low prices. Many items are much cheaper to buy outside of the supermarket such as eggs, fruit, and vegetables, which are all cheaper from local vendors or smaller markets, and bread and prepared goods are also cheaper at the smaller markets than the large supermarkets. The supermarket is however much more convenient. The supermarket has most things you could want from imported goods to live fish and (instant) coffee. The main reason people avoid the supermarket is not the price however, but the crowds and lines. It is also because of the large crowds that many items are not in stock when you go to the supermarket, especially if you go around rush hour. It is recommended that you buy as little as possible from the supermarket and go earlier rather than later in the day. This in turn should save you money and not leave you disappointed by the fact you were unable to find various items on your shopping list. As for Western food, not much is available in the regular supermarkets. There are Western markets in Beijing but are rather expensive. They are great for authentic Western foods and beverages and worth the trip if you can afford it. Organization If there is a word that translates into “organization” from Chinese to English it should be officially banned. For example, in some stores if you wish to buy a cell-phone they ‘organize’ the store so that you must go to as many as 5 different counters in order to purchase one! It’s really not as bad as it sounds though and obviously some things are organized like the bus and subway systems, just don’t expect the same kind of cooperation and planning you would find in your home town. Toothpicks There’s nothing different about toothpicks, but the way you use them is slightly different. In the Western world, using a toothpick is not considered rude. In China, using a toothpick is considered rather disgusting and because of this it is customary to cover your mouth when using one. Elevators Elevators are pretty basic. The general courtesies that go along with elevators at home don’t apply in China. People don’t wait for the people on the elevator to get off before getting on. People stand at the front of the elevator regardless of if their floor is coming up. Holding the elevator for others is also very rare; in fact many times people will try to close the door before you can get on the elevator. Obviously, you don’t need to follow these customs, but feel free to! Staring A very difficult aspect of life in China for a Westerner is the constant stares from curious Chinese people on the streets, on the bus, pretty much anywhere. The locals mean no harm by this, so don’t think much of it. Seemingly strange at first, one learns to quickly become accustomed to the staring and soon you may just find yourself staring back. Haggling When shopping in China be sure to haggle wherever possible. Chances are that when you go shopping you will be able to haggle, but be careful, certain supermarkets and clothing departments forbid bargaining. When bargaining the shopkeeper usually starts out with an extremely high price, it is not unusual for the product to be dramatically less than the asking price – sometimes as little as tenth. The smart shopper typically goes to several vendors to get a more accurate picture of the items price. Remember, if in the end the shopkeeper appears upset, then you’ve bargained successfully. If they are smiling or laughing, you have most likely overpaid. Rolling up Shirts Usually a common sight in the summertime, men walk around with their shirts rolled up. The Chinese believe that the heat comes from the stomach and not from the head as in the west. The shirt lifting is just a popular method for cooling down. Umbrellas Always a popular sight in the city, the Chinese use umbrellas both on rainy days and on clear days. The Chinese prefer pale skin to sun tans. Girls will often walk down the street using a small umbrella to shield the sun from their faces. Just be careful you don’t get poked in the eyes! Parks Beijing and many other China cities are filled with small and large parks. Few retirement homes exist in China, so you will find that many older individuals spend their days hanging out at the park. If you get the park early enough, you can watch older men and women practicing Tai Chi in large groups. Holding Hands Often times as you walk down the street you will see two women, and occasionally two men, holding hands. This gesture does not imply these two people are in a relationship of any means, it is just a common gesture between friends. Showers Most Chinese showers are slightly different than Western showers. Chinese showers usually have no actual room or basin. Instead you will find a shower head usually mount on a wall in the middle of the bathroom, with a drain somewhere on the floor. Menus Not being able to read Chinese characters may seem like a major barrier when it comes to ordering food in a restaurant. However, a majority of restaurants offer a menu with pictures above each item and some restaurants even give an English translation, although often these translations are quite poor. You should also watch out because prices on English menus are often higher than those on the Chinese menus. Business Cards Chinese names are quite difficult to remember. Luckily the Chinese are fond of using business cards. When exchanging business cards be sure to use both hands. It is also important to examine the card, and maybe offer a compliment, before sticking it in your wallet. Also present your business card with two hands. Spitting Seen as a disgusting habit in the west; spitting is nothing but commonplace all over the city. And it’s always comforting to hear the sound of an old man or woman coughing up a lung as they try to clear the pipes. Coughing Beware the Beijing Cough. The air quality in the city is very different from what one may be accustomed to and can be compared to that of Los Angeles. Shortly after arriving you may find yourself acquiring an annoying cough which is caused by the smog. Cigarettes Smoking is very commonplace in China and though, in the West, carrying a cigarette behind one’s ear is sometimes seen as “cool,” in China this act often implies you are a low-class worker or a farmer. Smoking in restaurants is allowed and be warned that few separate smokers from non-smokers. However, new laws have made it so that smoking in taxis is forbidden. Tips The Chinese do not tip waiters or waitresses in restaurants. When you go out to eat make sure just to pay the amount it says on the bill. The same is true for taxis and other services. Leaving a tip is often seen as weird and can sometimes be seen as an insult, so it is best to do as the Chinese do. Traveling Travel in China is relatively inexpensive. Travel does however take a lot of time and it is not always a comfortable journey to your destination. Riding a train is the most common mode of travel and tickets range from standing tickets to soft beds. The train will still be very crowded no matter what ticket you purchase. To give you an idea of how long a trip on a train will take, if you travel to Xian, which is around 700 miles away, the train takes about 11 hours. Gifts Gifts are great to give in China. Some good gifts to bring/give are chocolate, cigars, alcohol. If you are invited to any social engagement gifts are always good to bring along and will please your host. Giving things in pairs is very good (i.e. two boxes of chocolate, two cigars, etc.). You must never give four of anything. Many Chinese are superstitious of this number as when it is spoken it sounds similar to the word “death.” Do not give watches/clocks or bells as gifts either. Like business cards, when handing someone a gift it is best to use two hands. Drinking Drinking is common in China. It is not rare to see men enjoying some liquor or beer at lunch and dinner. Women do drink as well though not as often and rarely during the day. You are allowed to drink in public and in taxis. Beer usually comes in a bottle but when in a restaurant it is best to pour your beer into a glass. Drinking out of the bottle is alright but it is more common to use the glass. When raising your glass to cheers someone and clink your glasses together, it is a sign of respect to have the top of your glass lower than the person you are doing this with. The Chinese word for “cheers” is “ganbei” which literally means to “dry ones cup,” so be careful when using this phrase as it implies you will be drinking the rest of your glass. Taxis Taxis are everywhere in Beijing. They are convenient, cheap, a great place to practice your Chinese and the cabbies know most of the places you will be asking them to go. Smoking is no longer allowed in cabs, though the drivers still occasionally will. Few words are needed to successfully navigate a cab if you know your destination and are obviously much more comfortable than the crowded buses or subways. Biting Nails Biting your nails is considered taboo in China. It is considered very unhealthy. Having long nails is also fashionable even for men so it is also bad to bite your nails for this reason. People do still bite their nails though, and no one will say anything if you do, just avoid doing so in formal settings. Teapots Just not a good thing to do it implies some ill will toward the person it is facing. Toilets Chinese bathrooms are much different than those in America or Europe. Instead of having a toilet on which you sit on you are supposed to crouch down (squat) over the toilet. You will also usually need to bring your own toilet paper, and instead of throwing it in the toilet you should place it in the garbage receptacle provided. Legal Disclaimer: The following information was compiled with the assistance of ALTIC/Culture Gateway participants. These views do not represent the views of the ALTIC/Culture Gateway program. The information below may be partially or wholly inaccurate. |
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