8 Strange Things in Foreigners' Eyes

What are the things considered the norm in China but weird to foreigners? Some Forum readers share their opinions. You're also welcome to join the discussion.

MichaelM (US)

I heard recently that after giving birth, women aren't allowed to take a bath or shower. They shouldn't wash their hair for over a month. They shouldn't return to work for nearly 3 months. Very different in the West. I really don't know or understand the rationale or if it's just some kind of tradition.
我最近听说，女性在生完孩子之后不可以洗澡淋浴，一个月不能洗头，近三个月内不能工作。这和西方完全不一样。我真的不明白为什么要有这些规矩，或者这是某种传统。

Some of the no-nos on the traditional list, even though most new mothers are unable, or unwilling, to observe them all strictly nowadays, include: no direct contact with the wind, no going out, no fruits, no vegetables, no salt, no wearing sandals, no exposing of the heels, no leaving empty space between the waist and back of a chair (cushion required), no hair washing, no baths, no brushing teeth, no brushing hair, no TV watching, no crying, no boiled water, and more.
 

Sarah (UK)

In China, all water has to be boiled before you can drink it. I am not sure why the Chinese do it, but I have heard that it is very good for your digestive system.
在中国，所有的水只有烧开了才能喝。我不明白为什么，但我听说这对人的消化系统比较好。
 

golden_fred (US)

Drinking is a part of Chinese culture that I find weird. If you want to create or enhance your network, you have to drink as much as you can.
饮酒是中国文化的一部分，不过我觉得这很奇怪。如果希望增加人脉，或是促进双方的关系，你就必须得大喝特喝。
 

Seneca (US)

A far more pervasive feature is the red envelope.

If you are married to a Chinese you will be surprised by the sheer number of events that give people an automatic right to obtain red money-filled envelopes:
红包这个东西更让人匪夷所思。你要是嫁了或是娶了一个中国人，那你就会遇到各种各样人们可以收红包的场合：

- A house-warming party;

- the marriage;

- death of someone;

- promotion (of a civil servant);

- birth of a child;

- birthday;
 

Chili (US)

In China, children were raised primarily by the grandparents because of the parents needing to work. My husband was raised by his grandparents, and my in-laws were raised by their grandparents. Should children's primary caretakers be their parents?
在中国，孩子基本是由爷爷奶奶养大的，因为父母都要出去工作。我的丈夫就是被他的祖父母养大的，我的几个中国亲戚也是由他们的祖父母养大的。最应该照顾孩子的难道不该是他们的父母吗？
 

MichaelM (US)

I'm studying for the driving exam. The laws are similar to the West. What's amazing is, NO ONE FOLLOWS THESE LAWS IN CHINA! Seriously. The licensing process in China is far more difficult than in the West. However, it seems that in China, as soon as you do get the license, you forget everything that you learned and do whatever you want, whenever you, wherver you want, however you want. Parking on sidewalks, driving on the wrong side of the road, constantly honking the horn and many others. Most of the laws are exactly the opposite of what more than 50% of the drivers do in China. In the West, we have driving laws that are enforced. It is rare to see someone breaking the driving laws in the West.
我正在学驾驶。中国的交规和西方差不多。但神奇的是，中国根本没人遵守交规！说实话，中国的驾照考试要比西方难一百倍。但在中国，一旦 拿到驾照，人们就把学的东西都忘了，无视各种规则，想怎么开就怎么开，比如把车停在人行道上，反道行驶，没事按喇叭等等。中国超过50%的驾驶员都违反了 交通规则。在西方，我们必须驾驶法规，很少看见有人违章。
 

robert237 (US)

My wife tells me I'll have good luck when I sneeze.

I like this much, much more than hearing the tired, old "God bless you" common in the West.
我老婆跟我讲，打喷嚏会走运。西方人打喷嚏时人们老说“上天保佑你”，我都听腻了，比起这个，中国这个说法我简直太喜欢了。

 

DMZappa (US)

Cupping therapy. My wife does dry Cupping Therapy and I understand it is an ancient practice but I don't see any benefits or results to it. I believe it is to draw bad blood to the surface of one's skin.
拔火罐。我老婆会去拔火罐，我知道这是一个古老的疗法，但我没看到它有任何效果。我觉得它只是让皮肤淤血而已。