1. If you are not okay with using squat toilets, (rural) China may not be for you.
2. If you are not okay with having to dodge other people’s gob, are not okay with your neighbours above spitting onto your balcony or windows below, or are not okay with developing this practice yourself in the privacy of your own home as a result of the pollution, then (rural) China may not be for you.
3. If you are not okay using said squat toilets sans doors on the cubicles, then (rural) China may not be for you.
4. If you are not okay with having every single part, of every single animal on this entire planet served at a meal, (rural) China may not be for you.  Prepare for Pig Lungs, Bull Penises and Duck Tongue – to mention but a few.
5. If you are not okay with catching up with colleagues or interacting with students while peeing all over yourself using said squat toilet (remember, no door!), then (rural) China may not be for you.
6. If you are not okay with an ‘every man for himself’ mentality when it comes to using public transport, for instance, then (rural) China may not be for you.  Prepare to see old people shoved to one side and don’t expect to see anyone offer up a seat for said aged individual.
7. If you are not okay with having food items shoved into your mouth by kids with grubby little paws, then teaching English at an elementary school in (rural) China may not be for you.
8. If you are not okay with seeing dog strung up on the street corner at a busy intersection in the middle of town, then (rural) China may not be for you.  There are other delightful sights in this category too, including pig faces.
9. If you are not okay with watching your neighbour behead a chicken and then witness him/her plucking the bird before your very eyes, then of course (rural) China is not for you.
10. If you are not okay with seeing toddlers’ bare bums exposed in kaidangkus(open crutch pants) – or what comes out of them, then (rural) China may not be for you.

BUT.

In spite of all of these MENTAL cultural differences and practices, I have had one of my most remarkable experiences here in Nanxun.

Am I looking forward to relocating to Shanghai?

Absolutely yes!