10 Things You Won't Find in the United States

1.     Chopsticks (In all shapes and sizes)

Of course, in China, finding chopsticks is obvious because it is their main food utensil.  But there aren’t just wood chopsticks.  There are metal and plastic ones.  Some are decorated with designs, and some are very fancy.  The same way people in the western world have silver utensils; people in the east also have ritzy chopsticks.  In most supermarkets, there are standard wood, plastic, and metal chopsticks.  The plastic ones will most likely have designs on them, and the all generally come in large or small quantities.  However, there are specific shops that carry endless options of high-end chopsticks; chopsticks with gold, different kids of wood, or a matching family set etc.  These chopsticks can run for anywhere between 7 and 100 U.S. dollars per pair.  It just depends on what you prefer, but if you are partial to gold plated chopsticks, plan on bringing more than just a few yuans.

2.     Odd Flavored Chips

For some reason, the Chinese very much enjoy flavoring different foods.  The food in China is very distinct, and different from the rest of the world.  That also means that their snacks are too.  Different chips flavors include but are not limited to shrimp, Mexican Beef, Mexican tomato, Cola and chicken, cucumber, etc.  And people in the States thought the guacamole and salsa chips were revolutionary.  The States has nothing on China.  These odd flavors are not limited to potato chips.  It also extends to crackers with lemon or Neapolitan filling, Oreos with mango and papaya or peach and lime flavoring that taste like floride, and ramen with hot dogs.  Indeed, the flavors in China are very unique compared to the rest of the world.

3.     Shower Shoes

The Chinese people have some very different habits compared to Western cultures.  This habit applies not just to Chinese people, but also to Korean and Japanese people.  There is a mindset that wearing shoes is a necessity.  No matter what you are doing, no matter where you are.  This includes being inside, and yes, being in the shower.  My husband told me a story about his friend in China who was teaching in China.  One time, something in her apartment broke, and so the school sent someone over to fix it.  Upon their arrival they discovered that she was only in socks refused to fix whatever what broke until she finally put on shoes.  So the fact that there are shoes in a basic grocery store in China is no surprise, but traditionally one does not find shoes distinctly meant for a shower.

4.     Raw handmade noodles

These were noodles that had been hand made at the store and are packaged and priced accordingly.  In the United States, most noodles are dry or uncooked, or they are cooked and freeze dried.  These noodles are different; the dough has been cooked, kneaded and the noodles pulled.  But the final step is for the customer to perform.  I think the only place I’ve seen fresh uncooked noodles is at a farmer’s market once a week in the summer time. 

5.     Condiment Containers

The Chinese like to season their food well, at a meal the only food that could be slightly bland is the rice.  At almost every restaurant one might visit in China, there are small metal containers.  In the containers is what looks like red pepper flakes, but these are much spicier than your average pepper flakes in the States.  They are also swimming in some kind of oil that amplifies the spice.  The food in Beijing is very strongly flavored; the soup can be quite bland because many are very week broth flavored soup.  So the spice all goes to the main dishes and let me just tell you, they don't go easy on it.  It's because the spice only goes in one dish that it must be extra flavorful because all the other dishes missed out...

6.     Tablecloth Plastic Covers

When I was little, my family had a plastic tablecloth that we use to eat dinner on.  My mom would commonly put it on before putting a cloth one over it.  The plastic one was a bit wrinkly, but it had a pattern and a bit of a softer feel to it.  The tablecloths that I found today were clear and rolled up like huge pieces of butcher paper.  It was clear that the tablecloths of my childhood were made to feel unnoticeable.  But in China, they don’t feel thread thin like plastic wrap.  They are very thick more like the thickness of a folded up paperbag.  It is common to find them in restaurants over cloth tablecloths; it allows for a fast clean up.

7.     Traveling Silverware

One thing that is very distinct about Chinese is that they dislike eating with their hands.  If a Chinese person bought French fries, they would use a toothpick to eat them, or if eating a piece of pizza they would use a fork and knife.  If they have to eat something with their hands, there is sure to be a plastic or paper barrier between the food and their hands.  This is a huge part of their lifestyle, so it makes sense that they would have travel-sized silverware.  Conveniently there is a fork spoon, and expandable chopsticks that all fit into a reading glasses size case.  It’s a very easy way to carry silverware around and avoid eating with ones hands.  Also in some food establishments, it will cost you money to obtain utensils.  Thus, travel sized utensils were born.

8.     Wooden ladals, spatulas, and rice scoopers

One thing that I have noticed about the United States, is that people now in days usually have plastic or metal cooking and eating utensils.  I’ve sometimes seen wooden spoons for stews or soups.  However in modern times, it seems like most people have abandoned wood and it doesn’t seem that you can even buy wholly wood utensils in stores.  However, not only was the store fully stocked with wood rice scoopers, but also wooden ladles for soup, and wooden spatulas for cooking stir-fry.

9.     High Grade Tupperware

I really want to own all the Tupperware in China because it’s really organized.  Many containers have two sections in them because the Chinese like to keep their rice and other foods separate before they eat.  I also like eating that way.  Also, when I’m in the States packing a lunch, I’d rather take one big container than two small ones if I want say, apples and crackers one day.  The stacked Tupperware is usually metal lined or pure metal; really useful for soup and keeping things insulated.  The Chinese believe in eating things that are fresh, so naturally keeping things warm would be a priority.

10. Pregnant Women Salt

I was fairly perplexed when I saw this.  For some reason, the Chinese think that women who are pregnant are like glass; one drop and they could shatter.  After Chinese women have children, the woman is supposed to rest for a number of months before she resumes her household duties.  She is not to go outside or get out of bed.  This is to prevent her from getting sick.  I assume that this salt is the same way.  They believe that the salt pregnant women need to eat is different than salt for everyone else.  Although I don’t believe that’s true, that kind of segregation shouldn’t be going on; let’s be real for a moment, pregnant women or recently postpartum women can have whatever kind of salt they want.

空-It's a Panda, Can You See It?

Growing up, an exciting and expected summer activity is going to the zoo with family and/or friends.  Ever since I could remember, the trips to the Zoo were always fun.  I enjoyed looking at the animals, and never did it once cross my mind that they were unhappy.  This week, I had the opportunity to go to the Beijing Zoo.  Although the exhibits were not astounding, there was at least vegetation and, for most animals, space to move around.  However, one of the things that I found the saddest was the way the people were acting with the animals.  For example, when we were visiting the bear exhibits; I witnessed several older teenagers, or young adults pouring ice tea and throwing popcorn into the pen.  This continued with many other animals such as antelope and zebras who probably shouldn’t be eating processed crackers and pocky, just a guess.  Many were trying to entice the animals to do something, but the animals just ignored them, like it was a regular occurrence.  As a result of this, I personally feel that some of the animals were out in open rebellion against huamans.  This was evident owing to the fact that they all had their back side to us; and it wasn't just one, it was clear organized rebellion.

  

Does it not look like its stuffed?

The best things about going to the Beijing zoo is that I got to see a PANDA! They’re so cute, and it was real! I have pictures to prove it.  Anyway, here’s a funny story.  When I was taking pictures, one of the pandas was lying on this wooden playground structure type thing, and it was in a really cute position, let me just tell you.  So I quickly told Joseph to take a picture of me with it.  After handing my camera back, he proceeded to point out that the panda was not moving and looked like it was stuffed.  It was really still; at first I resisted, but then after some persuasion, he convinced me.  Pandas have an uncanny ability to look like they’re stuffed when they’re still alive… and I’m a little gullible, so I just went along with it.  We had a pretty good laugh, and my friend said, “maybe there’s a guy who’s in the panda suit and pretending!” And we laughed still harder… and then it moved! So I knew it was real, and then I found out that he was just kidding anyway… Awk…  I have heard other people talk about zoos in China; so it was not the worst zoo, but I still felt that most of the exhibits were very sad.  I don’t think I’ll be going back.  The only thing that made it worth while was the panda.

Also it was rather amusing to see Christmas sculptures at the Zoo.  Like the ones you can buy at Macy's for like $30.00.  They were over by the polar bear section.  They were in this glass case and all beautified.  There were Christmas lights and an igloo.  Apparently the Chinese are under the impression that polar bears (and wolves) and Christmas go together... Well, whatever makes them happy...

Tests and Temples and Trees, Oh My!

Today I went to the Confucian Temple here in Beijing.  It’s the second biggest temple dedicated to Confucius in China.  The other one is located in his hometown of Qufu in the ShanDong province.  I really enjoyed going to the Confucius temple, as I apparently do with all temples...

One of the featured displays at the Confucius temple were tons of these 8 foot high stone blocks.  But these aren't just your average stone blocks that date back to the Sui dynasty.  Engraved upon these relics were the names of all the people who had obtained adequate scores on "the exam".  And not just any exam, the Imperial Exam.  This examination set the standard for all people (which was perfection), and anyone who was anyone would be able to pass.  This exam was used to determine those had government positions and any other good jobs, and those who perished in the village farming.  People would study for days on end to prepare for this test; guess we know where the Chinese get their study habits from.  While the test was in session, the tester would be locked in a tiny room with the bare essentials; food, water, bedding, a chamber pot, and of course, ink, and a brush.  The exam period lasted for three entire days in which the tester would attempt to write an "eight-legged essay," or an essay with eight sections.  The examination was brutal, so obviously cheaters were abundant; one guy even wrote notes of his underwear.  So the next time I think about complaining about a test I really should just be grateful it doesn’t last three days, and most importantly force me to forsake my comfy bed.  Imperial Exams, man, they were intense; I'm glad I didn’t have to deal with them.  But mostly I wouldn't have to deal with them because I wasn't in China growing up, also I'm a girl and girls just didn't do those things back then.  So even though to us they are just some stone slabs, to the people who studied hard enough they were a representation of all the back-breaking work, and lost hours of childhood spent indoors.

Now for some serious thoughts.  Something interesting about Confucianism is that it is not centered on a God.  Confucianism started off first and foremost as a philosophy.  It is very centered on life on this earth.  Confucius himself talked little of heaven or deities; he mostly focused on creating the chun tzu, or Confucian gentleman.  He believed that good people would create good governments and in turn bring happiness to others.  However, it’s interesting to note that at these Confucian temples he is treated like a God.  From the philosophy, a religion, has sprung forward and is now considered a cult; with Confucius as the center.  People bow, leave offerings, pray, and burn incense to his statues.  Quite ironic if you ask me.  Confucian was so focused on this world and bettering it, and now, even in death people call upon him for assistance.  Although I don’t understand this thought process, it is easy to see why he was deified.  His impact on the Chinese culture is unmistakable.  For example, the imperial exams influenced education, and the concept of a group has influenced the government.  Although I don’t feel like worshiping Confucius, I still think he had some good things to say.

The other thing that I liked in this temple was a tree. But this is no ordinary tree.  It may appear to be one tree, but it’s really two!  Legend has it that a Cyprus tree was planted but the trunk became hollow and filled with refuse.  Latter a bird dropped a mulberry seed into thetree trunk and a mulberry tree grew out of it.  It’s like inception, but real; and the correct term would actually be treeception…

18 Layers of Departments

The DongYue Miao temple is located near the heart of Beijing.  And although the cars are honking and there’s people crossing the street when they aren’t supposed to when you walk into the temple, the noise seems to cease.

It’s a bit funny though because the temple is famous for depicting the 18 layers of hell.  Rimmed around the temple courtyard are 76 ‘exhibits,’ adorned with over 300 wooden statues.  In the exhibits, there are statues that display the various departments and also explain aspects of religious Daoism.  It is important to note here that in religious Daoism, good deeds are met with happiness and good luck, and bad deeds are met with misfortune.  The number of good deeds and bad deeds determine what people are reincarnated as in the next life (this could include humans, animals, or demons).  Most of the statues are quite normal; country folk, women with babies, and people obviously of the wealthy class, but some of them are quite gruesome.  

These statues include, but are not limited to blue and red demons with spiked heads, and persons who may or may not be missing guts or limbs.  There were also many statues in the courtyard as well as two horse statues.  I thought they were kind of random, but actually turned out to have real significance (it was believed that whoever touched them would have good fortune).  Spending an hour and a half at one temple was really interesting, and there is one thing for sure that I now know about religious Daoism; there are an infinite number of departments. Everything under the sun is covered.  Reading about all the departments made me plum tired.  I honestly felt like I was reading about the United State legal system; the number of departments just kept going and going and going.  Allow me to demonstrate.  For example, there’s a department for writing good and bad deeds down, and a department for deciding if people are going to go to hell or heaven.  Then there’s a department for reviewing the decision and yet another department for stamping and approving the deed.  Then, the person’s fate is irrevocably decided.  These people were probably waiting for years on end before they finally found out that they only did enough good deeds to be reincarnated into a squirrel.  Hate it when that happens…  Overall though, the system very well organized and extremely thorough process.  And it was extremely interesting.  But seriously, I couldn’t even keep track of all the departments there were so many.

Tradition

Growing up, the only things I knew about tradition in China regarded Chinese New Year.  I knew that small children received red envelopes with pocket money in them, and I knew that there was a Chinese Zodiac.  When I got older, I learned that the color red, and the cat were both lucky to the Chinese.  But now that I’ve spent time in China and learned more, as I’ve gotten older, everything about China says tradition to me.  The food, the way of life, the habits and mannerisms, and celebrations etc. have been deeply engrained into the people.  When most people think of culture, they think mostly of food and physical appearance; they compare familiar and foreign corporal observations.  However, I’ve realized that although culture is about physical appearance differences, observations you can see, and food; it’s mostly about what people do, why they do them, and the way they do them.  Not just that Chinese people drink tea, but that they drink tea for health; what actions do they accept and condemn, what influences their choices; and what are the core values of their society.

China is one of the oldest cultures in the world.  When its culture is examined closely enough, the modern aspects of culture can find their roots in ancient practices and traditions that occurred long ago.  Not just in day-to-day life, but also in larger ways such as government and politics.  For example, even the larger things like government have traditional aspects.  While communism is a relatively new government in China, the main theme of communism coincides with ancient Chinese tradition.  To fit in and do what is best for the group, even if it is not beneficial to oneself, is the general Chinese mindset.  This also is a large theme of Communism.  Every thing is made common and the entire system works to help everyone, to do what is best so that society thrives.  It could be argued that one of the reasons communisms was so easily accepted as a government is that it was already a familiar concept to the Chinese.

Another example includes the religion of Buddhism.  Solid evidence suggests that Buddhism appeared in China between 200BCE and 200CE.  In Buddhism, the deities can have influence on earth; they can influence events and even take the form of different people or animals.  Traditionally a Chinese host would be very hospitable because any guest that comes to their house could potentially be a deity in human form.

In a day-to-day example, part of Chinese education involves hours and hours of memorizing.  In ancient times, the Imperial Examination determined everything in terms of a job.  The extreme amount of pressure to success drove people to memorize abundantly and perform well in education.  This has also carried into today’s attitude with schooling.  Students spend hours studying for examinations and parents accept nothing less than perfection.

Culture is all around us.  And although it’s the simple things that most often are noticed, I have found that the best way to learn about culture is to be around other people.