5 Things to NOT Do in China

5 Things to NOT Do in China
Repost Oct 21, 2017 By eChinacities.com

Many foreigners are surprised at the relative freedom they enjoy here in China. For those who have never visited before, scary images of censorship and soldiers can cloud an otherwise reasonable person’s mind. However, there are a few things that you should avoid doing or saying in China if you want to save time, money, or your own sanity.

Here are a few:

1) Don’t talk about the Chinese government to Chinese citizens

Whether Chinese citizens have an opinion about the government (or not), they’re certainly not going to tell you. Nor do they want to hear your opinion about it, however educated, cultured, or knowledgeable you may consider yourself to be. And on the off-chance you encounter a citizen who criticizes the Chinese government in front of you, keep in mind that it’s kind of like when you were a kid – while it may be perfectly acceptable to complain about your own mother, anyone else who does so is asking for a major smackdown.

2) Don’t visit zoos

Unless you a) hate animals or b) want a serious case of depression that makes you question the decency of the human race, don't go to zoos in China. My one experience at a Ningbo zoo was enough to sicken me for days – underfed, exhausted animals being whipped to stand on their hind legs, literally cringing every time the zookeeper raised his arm, the animals’ ribs poking through their fur. It was one of the saddest sights I’ve ever witnessed. Granted, I’m not a fan of zoos in any country, but China’s lack of animal rights laws is astounding, making zoos and animal “parks” places to avoid. And, of course, there’s the case of tigers being purposely starved in order to use their bones for wine (read article here). Definitely skip these “tourist attractions”.

3) Don’t buy high end electronics

Whether you buy the real stuff here (good luck) or the knock offs, you’re wasting your money. The authentic brands are sold at much higher prices than pretty much anywhere else. Even countries you think of as expensive, like the United States or Japan, sell the same items for cheaper. The only place to go around here for cheap, legitimate electronics is good ol’ Hong Kong. What about the knock offs? Sure, you can get them for decent prices in China – but keep in mind that the thing is likely to crap out on you in about a year (this has been proven by experience – both mine and others – many times). If you’re only staying in China for that long and plan to ditch your wares when you head back home, then it might be worth it – but it’s a gamble.

4) Don’t be too picky about how your food is prepared

You know those health code faces posted in restaurants – the ones that either have a happy faced (passed the health inspection with flying colors), the straight face (passed the health inspection) or the sad face (did not pass the health inspection)? Well, I’m sure you’ve noticed that there are a lot more frowny faces than there are happy faces in China. That’s because food sanitation is simply not as big of a deal here as it is in other countries. It used to amaze me when I’d see a packed restaurant, their red sad face glaring out from the window. None of the patrons, happily gobbling away at their most-likely-ill-prepared-food, seemed to care the least that they were eating food cooked in, according to Chinese standards, a kitchen deemed unsanitary. So while you’re here, try to get over any remaining dirt phobias, or you’re going to be mighty hungry.

5) Don’t buy a VPN without doing your research first

Everyone knows that the way to get around blocked websites in China is to purchase a virtual private network (VPN). This routes you through a private proxy server so you can access things like Facebook, YouTube, and all your other favorite time wasters. However, be wary when shopping around for a VPN online. A lot of providers will gladly take your money whether their particular VPN works in China or not. I’ve known many dissatisfied friends who have dropped a decent amount of money on a VPN, only to find it doesn't actually work. So ask around and see if you can pinpoint a reliable service. Barring that, make sure the company you choose has some sort of return policy.

Warning:The use of any news and articles published on eChinacities.com without written permission from eChinacities.com constitutes copyright infringement, and legal action can be taken.

Keywords: don't do in China Avoid in China

10 Comments

All comments are subject to moderation by eChinacities.com staff. Because we wish to encourage healthy and productive dialogue we ask that all comments remain polite, free of profanity or name calling, and relevant to the original post and subsequent discussion. Comments will not be deleted because of the viewpoints they express, only if the mode of expression itself is inappropriate.

adb2014

I disagree with point 4. Hygiene and cleanliness standards in China are so bad, it's no wonder so many people get sick. Even with two major flu epidemics this century, people still eat in filthy restaurants, almost never wash their hands, spit everywhere, let their kids relieve themselves on the street (even if a toilet is in plain sight) and send sick kids to school where they cough and sneeze over others without even covering their mouths. We shouldn't just shrug our shoulders and say 'meh'. I have kids and if we go to a restaurant, I'll be pissed if they get sick because some cook sneezed in the food, didn't store it properly or didn't bother washing his hands. Everyone SHOULD complain if a restaurant is dirty and the staff don't follow proper procedures and boycott them if necessary. That's the only way the message will get through.

Oct 25, 2017 18:05 Report Abuse

guan9657

I think your points are over exaggerated. Point 1: I don't have problem talking about Chinese governments with my friends especially about their new policies. Point 2: You just been one of the zoos in Ningbo and this doesn't mean all the zoos is like that. You should visit Chimelong in Panyu. Point 3: Yes, imported high end is more expensive but doesn't mean everything. You should try to buy Chinese own brand but of course, the same saying goes "If you pay peanut, you get monkey!". You can get very good Chinese brand stuffs if you willing to pay. Point 4: I really not sure where you dine, probably those roadside stalls. Now, most restaurants in China are open kitchen where you can see how foods are prepare. Point 5: Yes, this is true, don't buy any VPN before you check out with your friends or ask in forum. This is norm, VPN is not govern in China. When things is not govern, you to use it at your own risk. Overall, China is too big with 1.4 billion population, one or two bad things doesn't represent the whole picture in my opinion.

Oct 24, 2017 10:23 Report Abuse

mike168229

Running out of things to say are we?

Oct 23, 2017 11:23 Report Abuse

dragx

Andrea:
All your comments may be considered as your personal ONLY but NOT considered as a whole foreigners' comments.
Basically I disagree with all your comments:
1) First of all, before critizise Chinese Government, every foreigner should think about the functionality of the Government in their own native country. Dont point the fingers at Chinese Government when your own native country Government is functioning with so many bad things
2) There might be some negatives in the NingBo zoo but it does NOT mean all the zoos are bad. There are so many nice Zoos in China and I have visited many.
3) Its the responsibility of the buyer to check everything before buy any product - this is the unwriten rule all over the world. If you check it properly, you can get a good product. Nobody is forcing you to buy electronic goods here in china. If you think, its cheap in other countries, why cant you go there and buy them. I have been using many high-end elctronics goods which I purchased in china and i dont have any problem wiht quality and price.
4) If you are more cautious about your health and quality of the food in the restaurants, you have two choices, 1) EITHER COOK BY YOURSELF INSIDE THE HOME or 2) eat in the 5 star Hotel restaurants.
Again, Nobody is forcing you to eat in any of the restaurants.
It is your choice to select the restaurant to eat, then Why do you blame the restaurant ?
5) You should have checked with some engineers before you buy the VPN. Again its your fault of believing wrong things. Cheaters are everywhere in this world, even in your own country.

I am also a foreigner, i have been living in China for the past 15 years .
China is my 2nd Home Country and I am very proud to say this. I LOVE CHINA .

Oct 17, 2011 05:19 Report Abuse

BlookingBlade

Hmmm, noted, thanks.

Oct 11, 2011 15:40 Report Abuse

jixiang

I think tip 1misrepresents the situation. It's not true that the Chinese won't tell you their opinions on the government, they very often do tell you quite openly. It is even acceptable for foreigners to give their opinion, although it probably is better not to give it with people who you don't know, unless they start the conversation first, otherwise you do risk finding that you offended someone. I have conversations about politics all the time in China with Chinese people.

Oct 09, 2011 19:05 Report Abuse

up-yours

That first one is the stupidest pile of crap advice I've ever seen. Did they MAKE you write that? F-off and die, kool-aid drinking turds.

Oct 08, 2011 00:38 Report Abuse

Chaching

Brown. The subject is China. The website is about China. We're in China. We're not in another country. I think to try and attack the subject of the article is not a good argument to be made. If we were in an African nation, we would be talking about that nation. If we were in the USA, then we would be talking about the USA. And we would be speaking critically about that country. Everyone is critical at least once in their lives. This article has a clear message criticizing the idiosyncracies that exist in China. I tend to agree with just about 99% of the article. I have met my fare share of A**holes in China too, who like to talk bad about my home country. Hell, the whole world loves to bash the USA when they are given the opportunity. I've been flat told that my President sucks by a Chinese man in his 50's, who I did not know. So, quit your whining. It's just an opinion dude.

Oct 07, 2011 22:37 Report Abuse