You can expect plenty of interest and attention from local Chinese!. Don’t take staring the wrong way.
In the US or Europe, staring would be considered rude.
However, in China, every stare you get will be out of curiosity and interest, not rudeness or combativeness- I assure you. If you’ve had a bad day, stares might feel annoying. But please realize that Chinese people have seen westerners on TV, billboards, movies, etc. for YEARS but may have never seen one up close in person! Of course, in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai there will probably be a foreigner in every subway car, you won’t get many stares. But try cities like Guizhou, Lanzhou or Nanchang (all over 4 million people!) and you will be “one of a kind”. Don’t take it the wrong way ;)
I guarantee that your experience with locals will be 99% positive. However, there are some huge differences between Chinese and Asian culture and western culture that you should be aware of.
People often pay different prices for things.
This is something that is difficult for westerners to understand. We are used to a fixed price for everything and generally believe what is on the price tag or ad. Remember, it is normal in China and in most Asian countries for locals to inflate prices when they feel they can get more money for something. Although “modern” supermarkets exist here now, bargaining has been happening here in China between shoppers since long before tourists ever arrived. If you embrace it, you can have fun negotiating and practice your Mandarin Chinese skills!
You will almost certainly be safer in China than in your hometown.
Don’t get me wrong, there is crime in China, but you’re very unlikely to be a victim. “Street crime” such as robbery, assault, and murder are astonishingly low. In large Chinese cities, I have no fear listening to my iPod and walking home through unknown neighborhoods for two hours in the middle of the night. People use their iPhones wherever they go without fear of it being stolen. Do, however watch out for “fast” robberies or pickpocketing. It can happen in crowded places.Travelers and expats appreciate this safety quality over here, yet can’t seem to explain exactly why it is. Rich and poor are living together. Surely, there are plenty of “opportunities” for crime walking down the streets. So why is China so safe?In the USA, South America and elsewhere, crime is often glamorized and romanticized. Many celebrities have even been caught exaggerating the length of jail time that they have actually served. Not only are street crimes such as thievery and assault illegal, they are also shameful in China.
The level of directness in communication will be different from the west.
When we Chinese say “yes” it means “maybe” and when we say “maybe” we mean “probably not”. Of course, Chinese such (I am an Mandarin Chinese teacher) as myself have more experience in communicating with foreigners here, so I and others integrated into the foreign community here know how to be direct, but you’ll find that many Chinese people still prefer to not give “bad news”, directly say “no”, or give direct criticism. “Face” is a serious issue in China and affects communication in a great way. Don’t worry too much though, foreigners are generally given a “free pass” regarding some cultural taboos here in China. Just give respect and learn as you go!
Being able to properly “read” the situation is vital and will take time!
If you’re interested in living in China and interested in Chinese culture, which you say you are, then you should devote some time to learning Mandarin Chinese. You don’t need to be in China yet to begin your lessons, either!If you’re serious about Chinese, you might want to consider learning from a qualified native teacher in China(
http://www.echineselearning.com/free-trial/). Of course, you can supplement your Chinese with chatting on the apps and websites, but getting daily personalized feedback from a professional is invaluable!At your own schedule and pace, and from the comfort of your home wherever you are, you can now go face-to-face with qualified teachers online. When you arrive in China, you can “hit the ground running” or even begin your lessons if you’re over here already.Glad to hear you’re on your way over! I think you’ll love it