I have a year of catching up to do, as I have now been living in China for a year now. So between the old stories and the new ones about to be created, I should have plenty to write about.
I have just returned back to China after a 12 day holiday in Canada. It was my first time being back home in a year. It was not nearly long enough. Next year I want to plan it better.
A little background info on me, I suffer from OCD and anxiety issues, no matter how small, its huge to me. For me to move to China, shocked a lot of people.
I never really experienced culture shock in China, as this was the place I wanted to go. I have been hopelessly in love with Asia since I was a young child. Although, I do get very frustrated with the language from time to time.
I was really worried about coming home, I was worried about reverse culture shock. I picked up habits that are totally normal and acceptable in China, but not so much in Canada.
Normally I am very reserved in China, I try to maintain a certain amount of my western etiquette.
Spitting is very common in China. I still can't bring myself to do that. I was told by one Chinese man, you should spit, then you would become more Chinese! He tried very hard, unsuccessfully to get me to spit for a long time.
Table manners are definitely different. It is not uncommon in China at restaurants to pick up your bowl of soup and drink it. I have no problem with this now, although at first I was reluctant to do so.
I was also very shy at first about the community eating. At a Chinese table you get a small plate, a bowl or 2 as well as a soup spoon, cup and chopsticks. The little plate is used for the bones and anything else not edible. The bowls are for rice, soup and other foods. You generally get a bowl of white rice with meals, and the rest of the dishes are in the middle of the table and you take what you want to eat with the rice.
As well, when eating anything with bones, it is not uncommon to just spit the bones on the table, fish or any other kind of bones or anything else inedible. Especially if you don't have the little plate. I still struggle with this, although I am now starting to do this in company I am comfortable with.
People are also not shy to just let a belch go either. This is something I had been very conservative with, until I got back from Canada. When hanging out with friends in Canada, we just don't care. I am OK with that. In China, they all do it, no matter where you are. So when I got back to China and was having lunch with my coworkers, I wasn't thinking and I let one go. My one coworker, and very good friend Bonnie, just burst out in uncontrollable laughter. I was baffled at first, so I asked what was funny. She said she never heard me do that before...and it was just weird for me to make bodily noises! We had a very good laugh together...as I realised I was feeling more comfortable.
Another thing I have issues with when eating with others is reaching for food, especially if I have to go over someone. My culture would consider it rude. Nobody in China cares about this...and if you don't eat it....they pile it on your plate whether you want it or not. So its best to just get over it and do it.
Chinese people are very social eaters. All gatherings revolve around eating and drinking, very comparable to Western people going to the bar or having coffee together. Doesn't matter if its work, business or pleasure. And its usually elaborate meals, or at least the ones I go to. Everyone is happy and eating. I have gone from meal to meal in the same day just visiting. Spring festival is very much like this, but all day long.
It is totally unlike western culture. This is one thing I truly love.
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| Spring Festival 2015 - I was invited to experience this event by a coworker. To be invited in and treated like family was truly a great honour. |
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