Advice for Travelers in China: Lining Up
I am going to say a thoroughly culturally insensitive thing, so if you're inclined to be squeamish please close your eyes: For a Communist-influenced country, the Chinese just really don't know how to stand in a line.
They shove, they push up in a bunch, but more than that, they simply cut to the front and step in front of you without even acknowledging that they've done it.
But here's the thing -- it really isn't meant rudely. And better yet, they think it's normal when you do it back. Or at least cut them off before they do it to you.
So, here's the advice, wield your arms and legs wisely. Just stick an elbow out in front of someone, block them before they take you out at the ticket window, step into someone whose invading your space. They will instantly step back and never cry foul.
posted by Karen at 6:20 PM
1 Comments:
I am so glad you have a domain name rather than blogspot.com that is filtered by the government here in China.
I have lived here three years and I can assure you there is a system in place in the minds of the Chinese. They do not push in to a line at the supermarket but they always do when getting onto a bus. Maybe it is because there is more to gain from getting onto a bus first -- a seat! When getting onto the metro here in Shanghai, people push in before others can push out and then claw their way through to an empty seat as quickly and ferociously as kids in the game of musical chairs. Those who step aside politely will stand for the 20 minutes ride.
I once was pushed forward firmly and constantly in a line at the railway station ticket room by the woman behind me. Only later did a Chinese friend explain that they feel you should stay touching the person ahead in line to prevent line breaking. It is your fault if someone breaks in line ahead of you. The loss of face is yours for being too loose in your position.
Just as we say "The squeeky wheel gets the grease," they believe the pushy person gets ahead in traffic or shoves his money ahead of you to the ticket seller to buy his train ticket before the good seats are sold out.
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