Random Thoughts about China

Here are some random thoughts about China and Chinese people that I've observed since arriving:

- Clear and sunny days are rare! It's usually very smoggy and difficult to see clear sunlight. Yesterday was the first truly spectacular day in my 5 and a half weeks here in China, in either Beijing or Shanghai. It reminded me of the Bay Area and Eugene.

- Personal space does not exist! Chinese people crowd around you everywhere, get on the subways and elevators before you exit, and cut in front of you in any type of line imaginable. Sometimes you just gotta make a scene and say "NO! I was here first."

- 70% of Chinese men smoke. However, it seems like that figure should be about 90%

- Nothing beats a cup of fresh soy milk in the morning.

- The Chinese often confuse the sidewalk for a trash can. People regularly just throw trash on the ground even if a trash can is within reach. (Still trying to figure out the reason behind this).

- A very clear divide exists between ex-patriates who live here and the native Beijing-ers in almost all aspects of society.

- The Pekinese breed of dog needs to modernize it's name to Beijingnese since there are so many around.

-I thought traffic in LA was bad. Traffic here in Beijing is about 20 times worse.

- Pedestrian right of way does not exist since drivers are insane! Gotta look both ways constantly while crossing the street. In addition, driving laws do not exist. Drivers can pretty much do anything, anytime, anywhere (except hit someone else).

- Many toilets are just a hole in the ground/floor lined. The older bathrooms are just like outhouses and the newer flat toilets have the porcelain placed into the floor (hard to describe so see photo). However, traditional toilets are steadily being incorporated into the modern buildings.

- Cab drivers know very little english so it's best to bring a business card with you.