I have lived in large cities and small Mid-Western towns in America, but they really cannot compare to living in a small city in China. I have spent my three years in China living in the same small city and I have realised that the local people here coexist in their own little world. Despite just living two and half hours from Shanghai, the big city seems far removed for them. But what these small cities lack in culture or entertainment, they make up in terms of lessons taught. Here are six things I learned from living in a small Chinese city.

1) Everyone knows about you
There are really no secrets in a small city like this. Although there are close to a million people here, everyone knows everyone. If they don’t know your name they know your family or your job. Often times, I can walk into a small shop to buy a drink and someone will shout out where I live or ask me about my husband. It gives you that hometown feeling of unity. What is interesting is that if they hear you are from the same village you instantly form a bond, just like family. This makes the statement“brothers from another mother” hold true.

2) People from other provinces are treated differently
In most Western towns, the locals will recognize someone from another city and welcome them with open arms; however, here things are much different. If someone comes from another province they are treated as if they have come from another planet. They are not as easily accepted into the community. They are often overcharged and underpaid due to the fact they are different and cannot speak the local dialect. If they are men they are not usually considered marriage material for the local ladies, due to the fact that their hometowns are so far away and that they would hence have to move away if they married.

3) People will speak local language instead of Mandarin
Speaking of local dialect, it is very common to come in to contact with people that cannot speak Mandarin Chinese. The older generation never learned the national language and the younger generation feels more comfortable using the dialect. The local language is slipped into so easily that you can start talking to someone in Putonghua and really be proud of yourself for communicating so well and then in the middle of the conversation the whole language will switch and you will have no idea what they just said to you. 

4) Small news are a big deal
As with most small towns someone having a baby or getting married is always exciting. The town is usually a buzz with the news and sharing what inside information they have about the future bride and groom. However, in addition to marriage and babies, buying a car is big news too. When someone buys a car it is like they just won the lottery. Congratulations are handed out and everyone is curious as to which brand it is and how much it cost. The new car owner often drives around town to visit everyone and show the car to them and let them have a ride. Sometimes, you can see the proud owner posing beside the car just in case someone wants to take a photo.

5) Fruit just tastes better if you pick it yourself
One of the things I have noticed is that when the seasonal fruit is ripe, everyone must go pick it themselves; as if handpicking the fruit yourself will make it juicier and sweeter than fruit picked by someone else’s hand. It really makes sense if you think about it. When you pick your own fruit you will pick the ones you think are the best.  You will squeeze, smell and thump the fruit until you feel it is good enough for you and your family. Although I understand this process, I prefer to do my thumping and smelling in the air conditioned environment of the supermarket. 

6) Foreigners in town stop traffic
The final thing I have learned while living here is that foreigners are like movie stars.  If you want to stop traffic or cause a little, old woman to run into the back of a car with her bicycle; go visit a small city. They will take your photo, stare at you with their mouths open, shout out greetings and even giggle and blush when you wave at them. Most of the locals will try to remember some English from their childhood lesson to speak with you, even if the only words they can recall are, I love you, just to show off their proficiency in the English language. They very rarely see a foreign person up close and personal so they tend to be a bit star struck.

Yes, living in a small Chinese city differs greatly from living elsewhere and some of the local traditions and people might seem a little strange; but everyone needs a little strangeness in life to make it interesting.
 

Related links
Big Smiles and Small Lies: My Trip to the Chinese Countryside
Different Strokes for Different Folks: 5 Chinese Lifestyle Differences
Why Second Tier Cities are the First Choice for Many Expats

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