Oh China

My friend Lauren has suggested I tell you about some peculiar differences we've encountered here in Beijing. I mean going out to eat or to the store, primarily. For example, when you dine in many restaurants here in Beijing, on the table there are plates, chopsticks, bowls, and spoons all in plastic wrap, presumably for your use. I usually don't even need these items, but I have learned that you might as well use them because you will be charged for them regardless. Not charged to buy them, but merely to USE them. I have never encountered such a funny concept until China: you are charged for the utensils and dishes that you use with your meal. Also, you are lucky if there are napkins on the table, let alone anywhere in sight in the restaurant. Being in China you quickly learn to always carry an ample supply of tissue purse packs and wet wipes - and trust me, you need them here. Also, there is never salt and pepper, etc. on the tables, but always always always a small canister that contains toothpicks for your use. The seats often have a fabric-plastic cover that is removed once you sit down. Your coat is then placed on the back of the seat, and the cover is replaced OVER your coat. It's kind of funny when someone takes your coat for you and does this. However, I have heard that this is simply a consideration so that your coat does not get any food on it. Still, it's a funny thing to happen to you for the first time.

On to store-shopping. First of all, if you go to a store like a supermarket here, the prices are fixed. I know that's normal in the US, but in China more often than not, price is negotiable. However, at the supermarket, there are departments, as in the US, but for some items you have to purchase said item from its department. If you don't know this and you take the item to the main check-0ut, the cashier looks at you like you are dumb and puts the item aside - you can forget about buying it now. So word to the wise, if you ever go into a Chinese store like this, purchase your office supplies, cosmetics, produce, and electronics all in their prospective departments. Or there are stores like Ito Yokado, a huge department store where there are cashiers on every floor. I had to buy a curling iron here, and so I went and picked one out. The guy gave me a price tag and I then had to go pay for the item at the cashier stand and return with proof of payment. He then gave me my merchandise. It's kind of funny/tedious, but oh well.

Then there are markets. Markets are not for the kind and considerate and reserved person. Here you have to be pushy and say "NO" when all the various merchants yell at you and grab you and try to get you to purchase their goods. Bargaining is tricky with these merchants too, they will try everything to make you feel guilty, but we all know what price we should be paying for these items long before we hear the inflated price given by the merchant. Sometimes bargaining can get ugly or downright hostile, but in the end, stick to your price and walk away if they don't give in. Once you show them that you are walking away, many of them will give in. But you can only use the "walk away" technique on weekdays when the markets are much less crowded and therefore, the merchants are more desperate to make sales. If you can be 'mean' and persistent, you can walk away with some nice stuff for a fraction of the American cost.