WHAT IS CHINA REALLY LIKE?

The main question I got after moving to China was simply "what is China like? What is it REALLY like living in China as a foreigner?" This video contains those first impressions on what it's like living in China as an American and as a woman. These opinions are entirely my own and are not meant to compare the two countries in a competitive sense, but rather to foster learning about Chinese culture in the US.

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[AdventuresLikeThis]

Such an interesting video! Honestly it was really reassuring to watch. China is one of those places that isn't as mainstream in the travel space (from an American perspective) so it's hard to get a sense of what it's really like for a traveler. Thanks for posting this!

[erinstravels]

We found Chinese people to be soooo friendly too! I was so blown away by how nice everyone was to us. I miss China!

[turtleman]

100% agree with the amazingly friendly attitude in China and I’ll give you an example when I arrived in Huangshan. As I arrived via taxi to my air bnb, the host was awaiting me with an umbrella, he grabbed my suit case for me and carried it to the apartment whilst holding an umbrella over my head, I offered to help him and he refused, then he took me for a motorbike ride around the city and then dropped me off downtown to explore. The following day I went to Huangshan Mountain and as I was leaving, I was at the bus station and didn’t realise I had no cash on me and they wouldn’t accept my credit card, there was no atm anywhere, so the nice man behind me paid for my ticket. It touched my heart. At the bus station I was obviously super lost and a nice lady stayed with me and made sure I got home safely on the correct bus and the taxi driver that drove me to my air bnb gave me his wechat and offered to pick me up directly from my apartment at 6am 2 days later, I offered him a generous tip for his amazing service and he refused. I have countless other stories of extremely lovely people going beyond to accommodate me.

[AzYet]

"have you eaten yet ? " is a common greeting in China, but if you answer no, people will invite you to stay and eat with them, that's quite common too.

[Superminuter]

Love the part where you mentioned the buckwheat pillow! As someone born and raised in China and lived in Canada for 7 years, I still miss my grandma's hand sewed buckwheat pillow. Traditionally, Chinese believe these grain-filled pillows absorb "Shi qi" (excessive moisture) that often causes the "internal imbalance", therefore, illness. And the buckwheat-filled pillow provides good ventilation and stays cooler in summer. Also, it can be easily formed into shapes that hug the contour of neck and shoulder, almost like memory foam pillows. When I was a kid, grandma used to buy a bag full of buckwheat from the market, get it screened and dried in hot summer days, then make everyone in the family a new pillow for the coming year. I love the smell of a freshly made buckwheat pillow, especially I know it was made of love and care from grandma. Thanks for reminding me of those precious memories!

[fancydeer]

Eastern culture is more community driven than Western culture from what I understand. Asian cultures teach that the most important thing is the good of the whole not the selfish individualism that Western culture emphasizes. The elderly are respected and cared for in a way that western society doesn't. They care for others' well being even total strangers.

[TasteAChinaNoah]

This all sounds about right! I've lived in China all my life and so this hits the main ideas really nice! Great video!

[howyun]

I am from Taiwan and I would agree most of your opinions in this video, it is now an age of global village and we share more common than before, only I guess there's not so much understanding of what real Asia is today in the USA, but fortunately there are more and more people like you would like to find out :-)

[DelightfulTravellers]

Amazing channel. Well done! We truly liked it.

[alonzo]

I am going to live and work in Nanjing as an ESL teacher in January. I used to be an exchange student in Korea. I am excited to be able to compare Chinese life and Korean life.

[stephaniefuccio]

I lived in Nanjing about 6 years ago after living in a number of places in the region. I left due to pollution and health issues but after some time away I returned and am glad to be back. I am based in Shanghai now but travel around the country for work. what you said about how vast the place.is is so spot on! Also about the similaritites between the US and here. I really feel that when I try to wrap my head around China that it must be like how others feel when they come to the US. In both places people think they might know the countries from the news and entertainment available from there....but the diversity and humanness of the reality is so different most of the time. great video。

[katietrejo]

"Have you eaten yet?" is like our "How are you." It is their common greeting. It would not be polite to say you have not even if you have not. Would they still be kind? Off course!

[michaeljames]

China is a beautiful place. Such wonderful people.

[harryni]

she is a very pleasant girl, the things she's talking are basically true.

[ruialbertobasiliodealmeida]

Very happy girl! Positive activity...Congratulations!

[tmdsb]

In a Chinese family:
"Did you eat yet?" "Go study" "Get into good college and I'll pay for it" "Do you need another blanket?" "Do you need anything?" Equals "I love you"

[DragunovSniperElite]

Actually, "have you eaten yet" is a form of greeting in some parts of China that essentially means "how are you". Additional offering of food is can be more of a courtesy than actual invitation to eat, it all depends on your relationship with that person and the specific situation. Chinese communication can be very indirect and words being said cannot always be taken at face value. The more distant you are from a person, the more indirect the communication will be. Close relationships such as family and friends would have more direct communication. Being too direct with distant acquaintances will come off as not being courteous enough or having lack of respect for personal boundaries, but being too indirect with close relationships will come off as being overly formal and distant.

[katielivingabroad]

It's so interesting to hear your perspective! I was recently in Hong Kong (which I realize is probably much different than Mainland), and I was so shocked at how different the experience was from my expectations. I found this video fascinating, and I love your video style. I'm definitely going to be following along!

[ivanhendricks]

Thank you for making this. It really helped me understand the culture. I really needed to hear from someone who experienced Chna in the flesh. Great job communicating their way of life.

[rafaelmagallon]

You explain everything so well that i really want
To visit China once in my life time. Thank for that.