Anyone been to China?

[Lipush]

Not sure where we are going or how long we are staying.
I will have more info soon.
Please keep on with the tips and when we get narrowed down I'll post more info.

One more important thing-

Never ask the waiter what he puts on the table.

If it's tasty, it's tasty.

Don't ask, you really don't wanna know!

 

[Lipush]

I was there 20 some years ago. I am sure it has changed some.
treat the prople nice and they will treat you nice.
I would say that most areas now cater better to westerners. I spent 3 weeks eating with 2 sticks
Virtually no baked bread either.

I am not skilled at eating with sticks.
Are you advising I bring sporks with me?

In 'western' restaurants they usually have those. But bring a set for any case.

 

[MeBelle]

Not sure where we are going or how long we are staying.
I will have more info soon.
Please keep on with the tips and when we get narrowed down I'll post more info.

One more important thing-

Never ask the waiter what he puts on the table.

If it's tasty, it's tasty.

Don't ask, you really don't wanna know!

Would he tell me the truth?

I have some very good Chinese friends that were married a few years ago.
If I couldn't identify it, we made the young ones try it.
If they were OK with it, it was a go for me.
I don't care much for sea cucumber.

 

[Lipush]

Not sure where we are going or how long we are staying.
I will have more info soon.
Please keep on with the tips and when we get narrowed down I'll post more info.

One more important thing-

Never ask the waiter what he puts on the table.

If it's tasty, it's tasty.

Don't ask, you really don't wanna know!

Would he tell me the truth?

I have some very good Chinese friends that were married a few years ago.
If I couldn't identify it, we made the young ones try it.
If they were OK with it, it was a go for me.
I don't care much for sea cucumber.

I have been in China for 17 days. Having trouble with food (besides personal problems in which I do not tend to try new types of food easily, and I cannot eat pork or Seafood), I lived on rice, veggies and Mcdonalds!

China was beautiful, but when it came to food, I starved mostly! lol.

Best advice given, take dry snacks with you, if you feel really hungry.

In china they have very small meals, so you need every food you can keep.

 

[Sallow]

Hubby and I are going there on a business trip in June/July.

Have any dos or don'ts to offer?

TIA

Where in China are you going?

I've been to Shanghai, Guangzou, Hong Kong and Taipei..

 

[Sallow]

Bring bibles. Lots and lots of bibles. Chinese translation. Thanks. - J.

No, don't do that.

That's right Don't, the people who suggest doing that are christian fundamentalist lunatics who want to proselytize and are not welcome there. There are China's laws that ban bringing Bibles into China. If you have your own personal one no problem, but bringing many in will get you persona non grata or worse.

I have been to China numerous times over the last few years Beijing,Shanghai and Chongqing. Every time I go it changes so fast with the building boom and freeway construction. Dress comfortably when not on business , the hotels are international so no big difference, plenty of western food in the big cities, but try the local food to.

I've visited Shanghai twice.

Man..what a difference a year will make there!

 

[Unkotare]

Not sure where we are going or how long we are staying.
I will have more info soon.
Please keep on with the tips and when we get narrowed down I'll post more info.

I do know we will be looking at undeveloped real estate.
Bringing Western medical facilities to the East.

Bring a bunch of small, inexpensive little things from, of, or that represent your hometown/state/region/etc. Little 'thank you' gifts for the many people who will do you little favors and/or show you hospitality while you are in their country. Certainly not required, but it will enhance your image (esp. in more rural areas) as a thoughtful, considerate visitor.

 

[Unkotare]

I was there 20 some years ago. I am sure it has changed some.
treat the prople nice and they will treat you nice.
I would say that most areas now cater better to westerners. I spent 3 weeks eating with 2 sticks
Virtually no baked bread either.

I am not skilled at eating with sticks.
Are you advising I bring sporks with me?

Don't call them "sticks." Devote the all of ten minutes it will take to learn how to use chopsticks. It's not difficult, and it will make you look like much more of a civilized visitor. Before you leave, make yourself eat with chopsticks for a couple of days at home and you'll have it mastered for the rest of your life. Certainly most people/places will be happy to provide you with at least a spoon if you need it, but if you can eat without being afraid of chopsticks you won't look like some helpless, overgrown baby.

 

[Unkotare]

One more important thing-

Never ask the waiter what he puts on the table.

If it's tasty, it's tasty.

Don't ask, you really don't wanna know!

Would he tell me the truth?

I have some very good Chinese friends that were married a few years ago.
If I couldn't identify it, we made the young ones try it.
If they were OK with it, it was a go for me.
I don't care much for sea cucumber.

I have been in China for 17 days. Having trouble with food (besides personal problems in which I do not tend to try new types of food easily, and I cannot eat pork or Seafood), I lived on rice, veggies and Mcdonalds!

China was beautiful, but when it came to food, I starved mostly! lol.

Best advice given, take dry snacks with you, if you feel really hungry.

In china they have very small meals, so you need every food you can keep.

Picky eaters make poor travelers.


If you don' limit yourself to set meals at sit-down restaurants that are specifically for tourists you can get all the food you can possibly eat, and for a fraction of the price.

 

[uscitizen]

I was there 20 some years ago. I am sure it has changed some.
treat the prople nice and they will treat you nice.
I would say that most areas now cater better to westerners. I spent 3 weeks eating with 2 sticks
Virtually no baked bread either.

I am not skilled at eating with sticks.
Are you advising I bring sporks with me?

Probably not a bad idea. However you get pretty good fast at eating with sticks when it is all you have

 

[Unkotare]

TIA

Never been to China but when I travel I follow a few rules:
1. Eat all the food...[/QUOTE]




If you are eating at a private home, certainly eat everything presented to you (expressing great enthusiasm and appreciation) but do NOT eat every scrap on your plate. Leave a little (if only a little) on your plate when you are done eating.

 

[sfcalifornia]

Not sure where we are going or how long we are staying.
I will have more info soon.
Please keep on with the tips and when we get narrowed down I'll post more info.

One more important thing-

Never ask the waiter what he puts on the table.

If it's tasty, it's tasty.

Don't ask, you really don't wanna know!

Asians have a saying: Anything that walks, crawls, swims or flies with its back to heaven is edible. And every last scrap of it too!

 

[High_Gravity]

Hubby and I are going there on a business trip in June/July.

Have any dos or don'ts to offer?

TIA

I heard the Chinese food is outstanding there, as well as the Cajun food.

 

[Unkotare]

Not sure where we are going or how long we are staying.
I will have more info soon.
Please keep on with the tips and when we get narrowed down I'll post more info.

One more important thing-

Never ask the waiter what he puts on the table.

If it's tasty, it's tasty.

Don't ask, you really don't wanna know!

Asians have a saying: Anything that walks, crawls, swims or flies with its back to heaven is edible. And every last scrap of it too!

"Asians" have a saying?

 

[Two Thumbs]

Hubby and I are going there on a business trip in June/July.

Have any dos or don'ts to offer?

TIA

Don't strike up a conversation with a local, they will be questioned as to what exactly you talked about.

obviously try the local food, tea and wine.

don't talk polotics,
don't take anything from anyone
Always carry id on you.

 

[Unkotare]

Hubby and I are going there on a business trip in June/July.

Have any dos or don'ts to offer?

TIA

Don't strike up a conversation with a local, they will be questioned as to what exactly you talked about.

obviously try the local food, tea and wine.

don't talk polotics,
don't take anything from anyone
Always carry id on you.

Nonsense. You can obviously have a conversation with 'locals.' Even about politics, religion, etc. Just don't join in any demonstrations out in Tiananmen Square and you (and whomever you are talking to) will be fine. You say "try the wine," but if you ask for Chinese wine you may be given baijiu, which is not for the faint of heart.

 

[Lipush]

Bargain on markets.

They love it.

But when finding a good price after bargaining, do not back up, they will find it offensive.

 

[Rocko]

Hubby and I are going there on a business trip in June/July.

Have any dos or don'ts to offer?

TIA

I heard the Chinese food is outstanding there, as well as the Cajun food.

Actually, the one thing I didn't like about China was the food, but I'm a real picky eater.My friends loved it though.

 

[Rocko]

BTW you'll see the craziest driving in the world in China, and the people really know how to drink. They drink rice wine (which taste like whisky) like it's water.

 

[Unkotare]

Picky eaters miss out on a lot.