10 Things the World Can Learn From Chinese way of life
China is an exceptionally large United States of America — first in population and 5th in area, in step with the CIA — and the customs and traditions of its people range by means of geography and ethnicity.
About 1.4 billion human beings live in China, according to the World Bank, representing 56 ethnic minority agencies. The largest group is the Han Chinese, with approximately 900 million human beings. Other organizations consist of the Tibetans, the Mongols, the Manchus, the Naxi, and the Hezhen, that's the smallest group, with fewer than 2,000 people
.10 Things the World Can Learn From China
1. No footwear within the residence.
Outside, the arena can be ugly, particularly the floor. Gum, dirt, garbage, excrement — unspeakable matters are on the streets that we walk on. Why might you invite that into your home? The notion of wearing shoes in the house makes Chinese humans cringe. Even guests are anticipated to take away their footwear and don a pair of disposable slippers, which are so cheap on the markets that many Chinese houses have an entire cupboard for his or her storage.
2. Take an after-dinner walk.
When I commenced courting a Chinese guy, I regularly dined with his mother and father. Whereas my family turned on the TV to loosen up after dinner, my boyfriend’s circle of relatives went instantly to the closest to fish out their exercising garments. His mom could quote old Chinese saying: “Fan hou bai bu zou, huo dao jiu shi jiu,” which means that, “A hundred steps after you dine, live to ninety-9.” So, on every occasion I visited them, the 4 folks might walk to the nearby park to sign up for dozens of different put-up-dinner walkers. On the path, no longer everyone likes walking — some humans play badminton, others gather in a circle for hacky sack, and middle-aged girls line up to bounce to techno tune.
3. Drink hot water.
As winter descended on the northeast of China, I determined myself curled up with a warm cup of . . . Plain warm water. Bai kai shui, actually “white boiled water,” is the 12 months-spherical default drink in most eating places — even in summer. In China, it’s typically believed that cold temperatures are poisonous to the body, and so cold meals and beverages have to be consumed sparingly. At first, the concept of ingesting hot water was regarded as unnecessary. But I have to admit, I did begin feeling hotter, and my digestion progressed as well. Still unconvinced? Try sipping on tea in the course of the day. Green tea is a popular preference in China, as are caffeine-loose alternatives consisting of jasmine or chrysanthemum.
4. The “80 Fen Bao” Rule
At the English college in which I labored, my Chinese co-workers each ate a compact, balanced lunch of protein, greens, and carbs, accompanied by an apple or a pear. They were following the “80 Fen Bao” rule: Eat until you’re 80% full, and then end the meal with water or some thing mild, healthful and a little bit sweet to keep you glad — like fruit. In China, food is a source of pleasure, but overeating is a large no-no.
5. Bring fruit whilst touring someone’s residence.
In many cultures, it’s not unusual to bring a small gift while visiting someone’s home. Whereas North Americans usually convey wine or dessert, Chinese humans will convey fruit. “Fruit is sweet, wholesome, and colourful,” a Chinese friend once said to me. While I’ll never refuse a bottle of wine, I’ll take a bag of red and pink apples over save-sold cookies any day.
6. Ask for what you need.
Unless you need to pay an extra 200 RMB for a couple of socks, bargaining is the rule of thumb — and like anything, practice makes perfect. Pretty soon I may want to strap on my poker face and volley expenses with ease. And despite the fact that there typically isn’t a good deal needed to buy goods in North America, I will say it does train you to be assertive and to name your very own fee for what you need. The worst part of the journey is listening to “No.”
7. Don’t take “no” for an answer.
Things circulate slowly in China, and underpaid employees usually bypass the greenback. If you accept “no” at face fee, prepare to lose your time, cash, and sanity. For instance, after I checked into my hotel in Tianjin, the bored front desk clerk couldn't type in my English call and find my reservation. It changed into 3 AM, I’d just gotten off a thirteen-hour aircraft experience, and the manager wouldn’t be in for some other few hours. I kept asking her to discover my reservation, and he or she refused — until, sooner or later, she relented. If I hadn’t pushed past the “no,” I would have needed to waste hours waiting around the foyer.
8. No zuo no die!
The multifaceted word zuo, generally that means “to do” or “to make,” is used in this Chinglish slang as a warning: “Do something stupid, and it's going to chunk you in the long run.” In different words, don’t take uncalculated risks. I see it as a friendly reminder no longer to expose you, otherwise you will incite the gods’ sense of irony. And even though it’s intended as a shaggy dog story, it does encourage human beings to think earlier than speakme.
9. Shower at night time.
Although this isn't true of all Chinese people, many consider that it is better to bathe at night than in the morning. The easy purpose is to hold your sheets smooth; in any other case, you will carry all of the accumulated dust and sweat from the day into your bed. However, a few Chinese people believe that being wet for too long invites the bloodless into your body, and sound asleep, which lowers the body temperature, can lure the bloodless and make you ill. So, is a night or morning shower better? I sleep more soundly with the strain of the day washed off.
10. “Wo song ni” (“Let me see you out.”)
As you leave a shop or a person’s home, your host will stroll you to the door and bid you an extended farewell, finishing with “guy zou“, or “Walk slowly,” that means “Take some time leaving.” Chinese hospitality dictates that one sees a guest out )) all of the manner out. I was charmed, and now I enthusiastically make a bigger gesture to all visitors leaving my house.
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