Cultural Differences

One of the significant cultural differences we’ve noticed here in China is the sharp contrast to how one handles everyday bodily functions. It is not right or wrong - it's just different. Here are some examples:

Spitting – It is very common to see spitting here in China and the clearing of one’s throat typically proceeds the spit. You really have to be on your toes however, because you do not want to cross paths with the flying wad of mucus as it makes it descent.

Lip Smacking (or Chewing One’s Cud) – We don’t know if this has something to do with getting the cigarette taste out of the mouth but the lip smacking sound is as prevalent as bells at Christmas time.

Nose Picking – At least three times a day you see someone in the car next to you “digging for gold.”

Belching – A good, deep belch from the heart will often garner a thumbs-up from a random passer-by.

Flatulence (or Farting) – Not as common as some of the other items on this list, but you do hear the occasional toot and based on the smell in some elevators, the “silent but deadly” variety is also alive and well here.

Public Urination – This will get you thrown in the slammer in the U.S., but here when you gotta go, you gotta go. Public urination is also not restricted to men – just because you have to squat a bit and there’s no TP nearby doesn’t mean you can’t go too.