FYI

So my sister, Madison, created this fun list (and I added input) about what life is like in China.

For your information:

 

 

-When backpacking you will frequently ask, "How many days in a row can I wear the same socks? Underwear?"  I will just let you imagine what the appropriate answer is. 

 

-When crossing the street (street lights mean absolutely nothing), always follow the natives.  In particular, those with babies and young kids; if it's safe enough for them, you probably won't be hit by a car either.

 

-If it looks like chocolate (on bread, rolls, etc.), it's red beans.  Guaranteed.  Even if they are shaped like chocolate chips, they are STILL red beans.  You will be disappointed multiple times by this unexpected surprise. 

 

-Always bring tissues with you into the bathrooms in the event of no paper being provided.  Which is almost always.  And you should develop your leg muscles for squatting.  I'm just sayin'. 

 

-Do not attempt to try on boys' shoes in department stores (Melissa!) even if you are absolutely aware that they are boys' but don't care because of their neutrality.  If you attempt to try them on, the sales women will not let you do so, and will laugh at you and your sister the rest of the time you are in the shoe department.

 

-If you order chicken at a restaurant and then see the dead chicken being carried to the kitchen, you're going to get the entire bird on your plate.  Feet and beak included. 

 

-Don't settle for chocolate candy bars that cost < 1 RMB (~ 14 cents). Trust us, we taste tested. 

 

-When a restaurant brings your table a "free gift" of iced beverages, it really means that they are bringing you something you didn't order, and they went ahead and charged it (granted, at a discounted price) to your bill. 

 

-"Milk flavored" is usually not the way to go when choosing candy, ice cream, or anything else beside actual milk.  Milk tea is the exception.

 

-When doing laundry for the first time in China, you should not be surprised to find that the machine is labeled entirely in Chinese.  You should also not start pushing random buttons.

 

-"Potato chips" = potato flavoring added to the potato chip.  You might think you have finally found a plain chip, free of shrimp, kiwi, blueberry, or seaweed flavor, but you are  wrong. 

 

-No matter how many times you walk down the street and hear people shout, "Meiguoren, Meiguoren!" (American, American!), it is never appropriate to turn around and shout back, "Zhongguoren, Zhongguoren!" (Chinese person, Chinese person!)

 

-Be sure you like who you go out to eat with because your chopsticks will all be in the same dishes (communal eating) and all your germs will be mixed together and redistributed to all involved. 

 

-You would think that if you pronounce a Chinese word correctly, but with the wrong tone, people in general could probably figure out what you mean based on the subject of your conversation…nope. 

 

-Don't be surprised to encounter exotic ice cream flavors, such as corn, pea, and avocado!

 

-Your teachers will probably call attention to your mistakes on class work, laugh at you, and then teach the whole class what you did wrong.  Also, in some classes, your test scores are read out loud.  FERPA, much?

 

-What's your favorite color?  Wrong.  In China, the correct answer is purple!  Literally, guys, you have a choice of black, purple, blue, purple, pink, purple, green, purple, orange, and purple.   

 

-Did you know that if you buy a train ticket to somewhere, you cannot buy a return ticket until you get there?  Yep. 

 

-You will probably be given about 15 minutes notice whenever your host family wants to pick you up for something, hence, you must be dressed for all occasions at all times.