Final thoughts: China is a prepubescent boy

I think as a result of its size, population and rapid modernization, China has become a very conflicted country similar to a conflicted prepubescent boy. Although some areas are maturing, other areas are still rooted in its old ways. It wants to change but it also wants to hold on to the past. And as a result? Awkward features, contradicting behavior, and major mood swings. Some examples I've observed:

- TRANSPARENCY: Somethings are very transparent about Chinese culture. People leave their clothes out on their balcony to dry, including their undies. They don't mind leaving the bathroom door open and some bathrooms don't even have doors. You know exactly how much your neighbor makes. Kids are publicly ranked in school. You know everybody's business and they surely know yours. But at the same time, there are certain things that are kept very mum and hidden. Government policies. International relations. Politics. Your love life. Sex. Homosexuality. Media (Facebook, Blogger.com, and Youtube are all blocked).
- CUSTOMS: There are certain customs and traditions that are mandatory and looked down upon if you don't perform them. For example, gifting, pouring alcohol for your elders before yourself, and giving and accepting business cards with both hands. But also, Chinese people tend to be disorderly in public. Spitting all over sidewalks. Cutting in lines. Speaking loudly and aggressively. Excess slurping.
- DRINKING: Men are expected to drink A LOT, especially in a business setting. The more you drink, the more respect you gain. But at the same time, if you get drunk, you lose all respect and you're looked down upon. Also, if you drink at bars, you may be considered a crazy drunk.
- MEN: My dad's generation and before tend to be manly men. They're the breadwinners and protect their families. But since the one-child law, parents have spoiled their only children so much that the men my age act like girls. But even girlier than girls. They don't play sports, they're lazy, and they can be whiny. So no wonder that Western media has portrayed Asian men as asexual and inferior.
- SPACE: There's not much need for personal space in China because there's so many people. You stand close to each other. You practically sit on top of each other in crowded subways. You talk close to one another. Girls hold hands with their girlfriends. Guys put arms around their guy friends. BUT, if you're dating someone, you're expected to keep a certain distance from them in public. PDA is still very much looked down upon.
- PEDESTRIANIZATION: Chinese consumers desire exclusive products such as high end luxury items or elite activities. But Chinese marketers also have a way of pedestrianizing these products or activities. For example, ping pong used to be a very exclusive sport only for the rich which in a matter of what seemed like minutes was turned into an activity for everyone in China. Also, the Chinese ability to replicate luxury items has been able to put brand names on everyone in sight. You will find 90-year-old grandmas wearing Nike sneakers, janitors carrying Louis Vuitton fanny packs, and barbers wearing Christian Dior glasses.
- KIDS: My parents' generation went through some major hardship in their youth, with most going to work camps under Mao's regime and then experiencing the cultural revolution. Now with a better political environment, parents want to provide the best for their kids giving them everything they want: toys, food, and money. The result? Super spoiled kids who are accustomed to having everything. But at the same time, parents are frustrated and scold their kids for having no empathy for their hardships; some even send their kids to rural villages to live like the way they used to. It ends up creating a temulchuous relationship within the family.