Culture Shock di China 🇨🇳! Kok Bisa Kayak Gitu ya...

Summary

In this video, the narrator shares their personal experience of living in China for nearly 10 years, highlighting five major culture shocks they encountered. These include the widespread smoking in public places, the unique eating habits where large quantities of food are ordered before rice, the loud communication style, the anonymity on social media platforms like WeChat, and the fast-paced, rush-hour lifestyle in Shanghai. Despite the initial surprises, the narrator reflects on how these cultural differences have become part of their everyday life, offering a fun and insightful perspective on adapting to life in China.

Takeaways

• 😀 Smoking is common in public spaces in China, including restaurants and weddings, despite anti-smoking signs being increasingly present.
• 😀 In restaurants in Shanghai, it's common to order many side dishes first, and rice is served later, sometimes only after the side dishes are almost finished.
• 😀 Restaurants in China often serve hot drinks like tea, even though the climate is much hotter than places like Indonesia. Cold drinks are typically only available for purchase.
• 😀 Chinese people often speak loudly, even in close proximity to others, making it seem like they’re arguing, but it’s just their normal way of communicating.
• 😀 In China, it's common for people on the WeChat app to use pseudonyms and avoid using their real names or profile pictures for privacy reasons.
• 😀 Many Chinese WeChat users don't display their real names or photos as they see them as private and prefer using other images like landscapes or celebrities.
• 😀 Life in Shanghai can feel rushed, with people often running in places like subway stations during rush hours, which is more intense than in other countries.
• 😀 In Shanghai, people prefer walking up the escalator quickly instead of waiting in line, creating crowds of people running up the stairs in a hurry.
• 😀 The hustle and bustle of Shanghai's public transportation system reflects the fast-paced nature of life in this busy city.
• 😀 Despite having lived in China for many years, the author still experiences moments of culture shock, like the ones described in the video, and finds them amusing.

Q & A

What was the first culture shock the speaker experienced in China?

The first culture shock was the prevalence of smoking in public places. The speaker observed that smoking was common even in restaurants and at social events like weddings, despite the availability of 'no smoking' signs.

How do Chinese people typically order food in restaurants according to the speaker?

Chinese people often order a large number of side dishes, filling the table, and the rice is usually served last. If you want rice early, you need to ask for it specifically.

Why is it unusual to receive cold drinks in China?

In China, especially in Shanghai, people typically receive hot drinks like tea or hot water in restaurants, even during hot weather. Cold drinks like iced water are not commonly offered unless purchased separately.

What does the speaker say about the way Chinese people speak in public?

Chinese people are often very loud when speaking, even in normal conversations. The speaker notes that it can sound like an argument, even when it's just a friendly chat, and this includes phone conversations as well.

What is unique about social media profiles in China, particularly on WeChat?

On WeChat, many Chinese people use English names or nicknames, and their profile pictures rarely feature personal photos. Instead, people often use images of landscapes, celebrities, or abstract art, considering personal information like real names and photos to be private.

How does the speaker describe the pace of life in Shanghai?

The speaker describes Shanghai as a fast-paced city where people are always rushing, particularly during rush hours. The crowd can be so intense that people often run up the stairs instead of waiting for an escalator.

How does smoking culture differ between more expensive and cheaper restaurants in China?

In higher-end restaurants, smoking is usually prohibited or strictly limited, while in more casual or affordable places, smoking is more common, even inside air-conditioned spaces.

What surprising experience did the speaker have at a Chinese wedding?

At a Chinese wedding, the speaker was shocked to see many people smoking indoors during the event, even though it was held in a hotel ballroom, illustrating the widespread acceptance of smoking in public spaces.

Why does the speaker find it hard to adjust to the Chinese way of speaking on the phone?

The speaker finds it difficult to adjust to the loud and expressive way many Chinese people speak on the phone, as they don’t mind if others overhear their conversation. The speaker prefers a quieter environment for phone calls.

What happens if you don’t ask for rice in advance when dining in China?

If you don't specifically request rice when ordering, it will likely arrive later, after all the side dishes have been served. It’s a common practice for people to finish their side dishes before they begin eating rice.