China has some strange customs

We went out on the town a little bit today and to some new restaurants. I've been reading in my language book about some of the different customs that the Chinese people have that Americans should be aware of. Take for example this picture to the right. Today was a very hot day of about 90 degrees. The Chinese ladies use umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun. We've even seen some ladies trying to walk as close to buildings as possible to stay out of the sun. This custom doesn't come so much from the fear of skin cancer, but mostly because the Chinese people think tanned skin is not pretty. The Chinese people think that brown hair, blue eyes, and white skin are all signs of beauty. Thus, the more the ladies can stay out of the sun, the more beautiful they think they are.

Then there is this picture of the lady on the motor bike. You might think that she was wearing a bug shield because she has a faster motor bike than it would first appear. Although it does work well as a bug shield, this apparatus is again keeping the sun off of her face. Notice that I said that today was about 90 degrees. She is wearing a long sleeve shirt and pants. Granted she does probably have a fast ride, but it's not so fast that I would be wearing two layers of clothes in 90 degree weather. She is obviously more concerned about her skin tone than the fashion style she is displaying with her outfit.

Then there is the custom for which I have no picture of at the moment but I am working on it. This is the custom of spitting. I read in one of my guide books that the Chinese have a "widespread habit of spitting." I thought to myself that that seems odd. But I grew up playing baseball and I've been around a good deal of spitting with that sport and I don't really mind people spitting if they need to. Well, in America, if we chew tobacco or feel the need to spit, we usually spit in a cup or empty can or just on the ground outside if necessary. This is not what the book was talking about. The book was subtly warning me about the Chinese habit of spitting anywhere. Take for example my first encounter. Becky, Zoe and I were walking into breakfast on the second floor of our five star hotel with marble walls and carpet everywhere. I notice about 30 yards in front of me a lady walking towards us on her way to her table with her plate that she filled at the buffet. I see her hoch up a big one and let it fly. This I had to see. I told my wife that I would meet her at the table and I took a detour. I went over to where she was sitting and looked for the remains. It was large enough that I spotted it in stride and didn't have to ask her where she put it. And yes, she spit on the carpet. I need to remind you that we weren't eating at Texas Roadhouse. This is a five star hotel with marble walls and carpet everywhere. Becky and the Fraziers doubted my story I could tell. But an old man at lunch today sitting at a table next to us let one fly and my story was confirmed. The book also says not to walk around barefoot. Duh!!