10 Expectations of Chinese Culture & Society

by Aaleah Oliver

We left home around 8 am, mom older sister and I. The car ride to the airport was silent except for the car stereo. It was Sunday morning, gospel music played, and as I began to think on what might lay ahead for me this semester, anxiety quietly took over my stomach. The rain drizzled sporadically on the car windshield. I drank the hot tea mom fixed for me alongside two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

In the months leading up to my departure to China, my mind was loud with expectations that were not my own. It seemed that everyone I told about my then, upcoming new adventure to China had each their own vivid mental productions of the country, complete with “exotic” foods, vibrant characters, and new dangers. Their imaginations and mine competed with the little I knew of Orientalism — the east as comprehended by the west. The competition reached a reprieve when I arrived at the airport, checked my two bags and found my way to my gate.

Truth was, with all our collective imaginations, I still didn’t know what to expect. Maybe my underlying issue is that I’m afraid of expecting something dumb, or revealing some of my ignorance to myself or others — because the kind of expectations we have for other people or cultures says more about who we are as people and the cultures that we come from than anything else. We can’t help our expectations so the least we could do for ourselves is to acknowledge them.

That being said, I have unearthed 10 of my expectations for Chinese culture and society.

1. I expect it to be different

The Mandarin language would be enough cultural shock on its own, but add in cultural norms and laws and entering and living in China might be the most unfamiliar place that I’ve ever lived in. I expect to feel the effects of culture shock more intensely here than any other country that I’ve traveled to.

1. A Mixture of Modern and Traditional Culture —

Otherwise, I’m interested in seeing how China, in its age of modernization, is making efforts to preserve its traditional culture- if that is even happening at all.

1. A Hardcore Police State-

With secret government surveillance and a lot of police presence

1. New technology-

Whether that be high speed, magnetic bullet trains, or a briefcase unicycle, I expect to encounter a lot of innovations for technology I already know as well as entirely new inventions as well.

1. I Expect It To Be Crowded-

1.379 billion people in the street, on the bus, buying food, going out at night: I imagine it being packed everywhere.

1. Personal Space?

Considering China’s population (see 5. For details) and their reputation for efficiency, I would think that personal space is a respected thing in Chinese society.

1. I expect to stick out-

As a black, 5’ 9”, pigeon-toed girl with short, kinky hair among generally shorter people with light skin and straight, dark hair I expect to draw some curious stares.

1. I don’t expect to feel or be welcomed everywhere-

Be it for the reputation of American students/tourists behaving badly while abroad or certain diffused attitudes towards people of color, I don’t expect to be treated well all the time.

1. lots and lots of snacks

Salty snacks stuffed with tofu and stewed green veggies, sweet, crumbly snacks covered in sesame seeds, late night snacks, snacks doused in hot chili oil and vinegar, hot snacks, cold snacks, all the snacks, really. I look forward to new methods of cooking and new flavors.

1. I expect to be constantly challenged-

In my perceptions of Chinese society and culture, and my self-perceptions; and I welcome those challenges. I’m excited about the opportunities that make me challenge the things I am familiar with and introduce me to new ideas.