10 Chinese Facts...

Here is a list of 10 things that Sarah, Brynn and I have learned in our first 2 weeks in China.

1. You do not leave a tip at a restaurant (Scott Anders would love this place)

2. Traffic lights are a suggestion/optional (Robert Pate would break triple digits on wrecks)

3.  When crossing the street, do not make eye contact with a driver. If a driver can see your eyes, he thinks it means you know to get out of his way. He will not stop or slow down.

4. Chinese food is better in China, than in the States (Jonathan Brewer will eat like a king in November)

5.  American adults are not celebrities in China. Their children, on the other hand, are Rock Stars.

6. Chinese mosquitoes put those Alabama skeeters to shame. Welts are a common sign on everyone's body.

7. When you walk down five flights of stairs and realize you forgot something at the bottom, you really have to think hard about how important the forgotten item is to you. Law in Chengdu: any building under seven stories does not have to have an elevator. Our building is six stories.

8. Their are two channels on Chinese TV for Americans to watch. Channel 9 is an English speaking channel, much like BBC with world news and various shows. Channel 5 is the Chinese version of ESPN. It shows sports all the time, from basketball to board games to table tennis. Even though it is in Chinese, I watch this station the most.

9. You can get everything you need to survive within a half mile of your apartment. Within walking distance of our apartment, you can eat a five-star dinner, get your ears cleaned out, buy a used bicycle or get a new cell phone. This makes living very convenient!

10. Chinese culture is based around the community. Whether it be parents or grandparents, children have someone playing with them at all times. Elders sit around and play Mah Jong in the street. Groups of friends go out to eat and play pool. In America, everything is much more private. In China, everyone loves to go out every night and spend time with each other. I am beginning to really love this new part of my life!!!