I spent three weeks in China in 2012, and another week last year. I’ve also read lots of books on the country. I’m not stupid and arrogant enough to think that makes me a China expert, but there are some observations I’m qualified to make on the Chinese and their culture, so here goes:
1. Are you aware of the repressive state while you are in the country? If you try to read the NYT on the web, yes; otherwise, no. You have to go through metal detectors to ride the metro, but that could happen in a liberal democratic state, too. In most places, the security people are just ornaments.
2. What are the Chinese people like? They are loud and friendly. They don’t put up with any crap from anyone. They’re intensely proud of their history and culture. They’re very pragmatic. And they’re very resilient. They’ve lived through disasters the likes of which we cannot even imagine, and they never even complain about it. That’s the advantage of being part of a civilization that has been through just about everything, and sees time as being cyclical.
3. How do the Chinese feel about Americans? Trying to get taxi drivers to pick you up on the street can be a problem. In more provincial areas, some people will openly stare at you. By and large, however, they will make you feel reasonably comfortable.
Happy New Year! Sort of.