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What Foreigners Only Discover After Moving to China - Do You Agree?
Moving to a new country is always an adventure, filled with unexpected discoveries and cultural surprises. For those of us who have made China our home, these surprises can range from amusing quirks to genuinely fascinating practices. Here are some things you might only find out after living in China, shared by our friends!
Dish Names Can Be Deceptive
When I first moved to China, I was baffled by the dish names. A friend invited me for dinner and ordered "蚂蚁上树" (Ants Climbing a Tree). To my relief, it contained no ants or trees but was a delicious dish of ground pork with vermicelli noodles. Other dishes followed this trend: "老婆饼" (Wife Cake) has no wife (of course), "鱼香肉丝" (Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork) contains no fish, and "红烧狮子头" (Braised Lion's Head) is actually a meatball dish with no lion involved. The names are often colorful and imaginative. Knowing how they got the names would be interesting.
Isn't the name "Ants Climbing a Tree" vivid?
Public Toilets Are Free
As someone who lives in Shanghai and has traveled to cities like Wuhan and Changsha, I was pleasantly surprised to find that public restrooms are generally free of charge. Whether it's standalone public toilets or facilities within shopping malls, I haven't had to pay once. In Shanghai, many public toilets even provide free toilet paper. Some of these facilities are impressively clean and well-maintained.
Gun-like Noises Are 99% Not Gun
If you walk past a park during the day and hear a gun-like bang, don't be alarmed. It's likely an elderly person playing with a traditional toy called a "陀螺" (spinning top).
AH note:
This pastime is common among the older generation and the sound can be quite startling if you're not used to it. The loud crack is part of the spinning process, and it's fascinating to watch.
Pic from the Internet
Numerous Lottery Vendors
Another thing I noticed during my travels, especially in cities like Nanjing, is the abundance of lottery vendors. It's common to see two or more lottery shops on the same floor of a shopping mall or multiple vendors within large metro stations. It seems like you can't walk more than a few steps without encountering a place to buy a lottery ticket. I wonder if others have noticed this as well?
Pic from the Internet
Salary Confidentiality Is Strict
In China, discussing your salary with colleagues is generally discouraged and often strictly forbidden. Almost every employment contract includes a clause that prohibits employees from sharing their salary details. I've even heard stories of people being fired for breaking this rule.
The Love for Hot Water
One of the most unexpected cultural quirks I encountered in China was the preference for hot water. Whether it's summer or winter, Chinese people often drink hot or warm water. In restaurants, you're more likely to be served a cup of hot water or tea instead of cold water.
Pic from the Internet
Does Anybody Still Carrying Cash?
I knew about digital payments being popular in China, but it wasn't until I arrived that I realized they are literally everywhere. It's expected in restaurants and hotels, but even street vendors and market sellers have QR codes and primarily accept digital payments! In fact, if you try to pay with cash, they might not have change and could end up transferring the money back to you digitally (happened to me once, lol). Unless you live in a neighborhood with a higher elderly population, where some vendors might still keep small change for cash transactions, you'll find that QR codes are the norm.
Pic from the Internet
Share Your Own Experiences!
These are just a few examples we've gathered of the unique and surprising things foreigners often discover after moving to China. Do you agree or disagree with those observations? Have you encountered any other interesting surprises during your time here? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences—feel free to share them in the comments below!
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