Saturday, June 6, 2009

Food is not all

Time flies. It has been a month staying here in Beijing.

Let's talk no food today, but culture. One said it may take very short time to develop China because China is rich, but it will take at least double the time to develop the culture. I truly agree with that after 'localized' for a month here.

The resident here still spitting. I agree it might be less compared to few years ago, but the phlegm is still easily noticeable at pedestrian walkway very frequently.

The resident still talk so loud. If two are chatting at one corner of the restaurant, the rest of the customers can hear their conversation clearly (provided if the rest of the customers do not talk loudly). In office, I can hear someone's phone conversation clearly even though he is at least 5 or 6 cubicles apart.

People here smokes everywhere, regardless if there is obvious signboard of No Smoking. Probably in high class restaurant/hotel then they will follow.

If someone is taking photo in front, you would probably take another route or wait till he finish, so that you will not appear as a background item in their picture :p But 99% of people here will just ignore you. And sometimes even stand in front of your camera, I do not know if they did it on purpose or not, but sigh... Another obvious sign is after you are done taking picture at an interesting spot, one will usually leave asap to let other people take the chance. But here, they will just continue to stand there, talk to their friend loudly but not related to the photo, or just do nothing... while ignoring other photographers in the queue.

From this trip, I learn that aggressive drivers are everywhere :D If the company get me a rented car, I would rather walk or take other transportation. There were few incidence that we almost got into accident. To the driver, maybe it is normal, so they can react very quickly and save us from the accident. Drivers here like to horn, flash light, scold other driver/pedestrian loudly. One said, looking at a person driving attitude we can know his character, e.g. patient, polite, give way and etc. So I guess I learn a bit of the grass root character from the taxi drivers :) Of course, there are some good drivers too :) Another thumb up is most of the driver here follow the traffic light very strictly. Whenever they see a yellow light, they prepared to stop, unlike Penang where some drivers were actually pressing the oil pedal :p

Of course there are some good culture. They enjoy life, go to park and do exercise, dislike some of the malaysian rather stay at home and watch TV (if you are Malaysian and always do that, please go for more exercise :p )

That's all for now ;) What I'd just mentioned could be inaccurate, no offense. I am just sharing my thoughts :)

6 comments:

BH said...

MK, i'm malaysian...i got do sport one ya :P

Kelly Goh said...

wow, time really really flies-dont fell like u had been there for a month d :P

**Shih Nyien** said...

They really enjoy life?? I thought they are realistic. chase after money and power??

mk said...

BH, thumb up :)
GL, I will be back in 6 more weeks, so fast.
SN, you will know soon :D

Unknown said...

MK - When I was in Chengdu (that's was my first trip to China), I was amazed with their tall skyscrapers and advancement in material life including fashion. But what shocking more is their so-called 'normal' habits like what you described! That's the time, I feel prouder to be called Malaysian!

mk said...

I agree with you Shirley :)
Maybe we speak mandarin, the  locals here will thought a friend and I are local China, maybe from other state. After we talk for long or they observed our behaviour, they will usually asked 'Where do you come from?"