This post is part of a series on our experiences while traveling independently in China. Click here to read Part One: Language and here to read Part Two: Food
The people are pushy and rude. And you can forget about personal space.Sorry, folks, but after nearly a month in China I can tell you that there is no way around this one. You will be pushed. You will be cut off. And that cute old grandma over there? She’ll throw you an elbow in a heartbeat if you come between her and that bus.
You will also have your Western sense of personal space violated in any and every crowded public space. We experienced this for hours on end during our two days standing in line at the World Expo in Shanghai. If there is an inch of space between you and person behind you, the line is too drawn out. Instead of withdrawing from contact, it seems to be sought after.
And it wasn’t just us. While eating lunch outside the Terra Cotta Warriors museum in Xi’an, we witnessed what to us was the most bizarre scene. A young Chinese woman is sitting on bench eating her lunch. Other empty, equally shaded, equally scenic benches surround her. Along come three elderly Chinese women, who all decide that it is time for a rest. The three of them squeeze onto the bench where the young woman is eating her lunch. The young woman packs up her lunch and moves the 3 meters to the next bench to eat her lunch in peace. Thirty seconds later, the elderly women leave.
So how do you deal with the constant chaos and touchy strangers? We decided that rather than get upset about what is really nothing more than different cultural norms, to take the approach of cultural anthropologists and make stuff up about why the Chinese do what they do. Rubbing up against us? Must be that touching a Westerner is good luck. Cars that plow into crowded crosswalks? Perhaps they are just doing their part for population control. Rushing the gate at the airport as soon as it looks like they might begin boarding? Everyone is so excited to be flying for the first time they cannot wait another minute.
Adjusting you perspective is the key to enjoying your time in China. You are not going to instill Western norms of personal space in the 1.3 billion Chinese. So instead of having them wonder why that white person (you) is so upset standing on the crowded subway, stand back (in the arms of a stranger) and enjoy the ride.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
That would be tough to take. Is it only the old folks or the young too? I have a higher tolerance for a beautiful young lady getting in my space than an old man….:)
Personal space has definitely been a learning curve for me in other countries. At first I thought pushing was rude, but I had to let go of previous experience and just go with the flow.
Made me realize how much personal space we really have at home!
WOW, Would never work for me. I need my personal space anymore. Love all the pictures
and I am glad I am not in that crowd.
I think that can definitely be one of the most frustrating parts of travel if you let it get to you, so good for you guys for coming up with a fun way to handle it. I’ve never been to China, but I don’t think the phenomenon is at all limited to there. To most of the world, a line seems like a crazy idea.