Thread: You know you are back in China when..

^^there are several Chinese dialects or languages, like Hakka, Fookien, Cantonese, etc. But I'm guessing that Mandarin is the official language (or one of the official languages), so knowledge of Mandarin will be helpful - someone in the vicinity will probably speak it, even in little towns.

@pb - I wouldn't use the shewee to pee in the open, if I had it. Would still find a corner or isolated place. However, there were some instances during my travels & peeing was inconvenient that I wish I had a shewee!

Originally Posted by stroller

Hmm, so all Chinese speak Mandarin?

On the mainland, Yes, barring some old folk and the totally uneducated.

^^Well thanks for answering the question you two.
^Anything to add, Cujo to the thread regarding your experience?

It is interesting when it comes to languages in China. Shanghai people have their own dialect called Shanghainese. It sounds more nasally and different to Mandarin. Many older Chinese (middle age and higher), can speak it. Most people also know mandarin. Mandarin is the universal language in mainland China. However, there are many hill tribes that have their own language. It is interesting that the Akha tribe are found in Yunnan province, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. I'd love to visit Yunnan province as I've been told it is absolutely stunning. Kunming is known as 'spring city' and surrounded by mountains.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

I've been researching the cost of living in Hong Kong, nothing I wasn't expecting apart from one little fact about rent prices- they're only 1% more expensive than Mandalay- that's pretty shocking. What are rents like on the mainland?

It depends totally on where you are in China. I find it very hard to believe that Mandalay is on par to HK rents. I have friends there and know that it is crazy expensive in HK.

Shanghai rents are very high as well. Over the last five years, the rents have skyrocketed. I pay 1400$ a month for a small one bedroom. I live outside of the central core and main expat districts. Many buildings don't have elevators and if you want to live in the French Concession or J'ingan (expat hubs), you are looking at more money (1800$ and higher). You also have to pay two to three months rent upfront.

Originally Posted by katie23

@pb - I wouldn't use the shewee to pee in the open, if I had it. Would still find a corner or isolated place. However, there were some instances during my travels & peeing was inconvenient that I wish I had a shewee!

I definitely may purchase one for future use. May even make me feel more manly. lol

When you get hit on your head by a falling rocket booster stage.

^LOL , ouch! And you survived.

When you are in the grocery store behind this person and look up to find a cat literally in your face. This freaked me the hell out. I didn't see it till I was nose to nose with it. I jumped up, laughed and the people looked at me and laughed as well.

^ At least she is cooking her dinner from scratch and not getting a takeaway.

^Haha, It is the first time I see a cat being brought into a grocery store like this. I've seen dogs, however. Little dogs are popular here.


You know you are back in China when...


You see a homeless and half blind man playing this ancient Chinese instrument on the street for money. You see this often in China.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

Listening to Cantonese is easier on the ear. Then again I've only ever got as far as Hong Kong

Mandarin dialect encourages spitting and sounds horrible. I can't even watch films in mandarin, I wanna throw up.

You've gotta be kidding !
Cantonese is really harsh. But at least we agree on one thing : I used to find Mandarin appealing, but having experienced it for so long, and now knowing Mainland Chinese as the cvnts they are, I now almost thow up upon hearing it.

^Cantonese is really different that much I can say. Not all mainland Chinese are cunts by the way. Perhaps in your experience, but I actually have experienced some niceties here. Their culture is the way it is, and you have to understand the history. China is changing in that, especially in Shanghai where you have a mix of people, you don't see people spitting on the street as often (older people aside). People are a bit more cultured here in the big city. Go to a smaller city and they haven't been taught different. That is the way they were raised and that is what they know.

Thanks.

^^Thanks, the link has some great writing and it's a fascinating read. I just read through the first two parts so far.

Originally Posted by Thailandbound

You know you are back in China when..You see a homeless and half blind man playing this ancient Chinese instrument on the street for money. You see this often in China.

Not uncommon in Thailand either.

Perhaps this confuses you about your location at times.