What's next?

Here are some future travels I have tentatively planned: wedding in Seattle (Sept) and wedding in Venice, Italy (Oct). I'd also like to go to Thailand right after the civil war, but that may be a far-fetched dream. My biggest wish is to go to the World Expo in Shanghai. I couldn't make it this time because of me coughing my lungs out due to allergies. However, I'd love to make a trip there, especially for a job-related reason (wink wink)!
So check back often, I may also want to add other stuff from this trip when I think of it.

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.

Bye bye Asia!

I've come to the end of my travels in Asia. On our flight back to the US, we met these Chinese kids who were on their way to Tennessee for the Destination ImagiNation finals. What an interesting non-profit organization dedicated to creative problem solving. And right now, there are kids from all over the world competing in the finals. Check it out at: www.idodio.org.

Dating in Beijing: Homosexuality

It definitely exists but it's not talked about. The older generation still considers it a "disease" or something you can "catch." Homosexuals do not show PDA in public but I've heard of designated areas for them at night. There are many kids who I know are gay, but their parents tend to ignore it and still force them to marry the opposite sex. Needless to say, China does not provide a friendly environment for the GLBT community. However, there has been progress. At least it's a subject that people can talk about now, as opposed to whispered about.
It's kind of ironic for a country that has the earliest documented acts of homosexuality. Emperors were also reported to have young gay lovers by their side.

Send off with dumplings

It's a Chinese tradition to welcome with noodles and send off with dumplings!

Tiantan Park (Temple of Heaven) - also temple of crazy people

Tiantan park is probably the strangest and coolest place I'd ever been to. It's full of recently retired people who want to act out their creative fantasies. You'll find group performances such as singing, sword fighting, massages, salsa dancing, ballroom dancing, harmonica playing and erhu playing. You'll also find individual singers who are looking to make it big because some alumni have been discovered this way.
It's an interesting sight because Chinese citizens have these repressed hobbies that they weren't able to pursue when they were working. And now since they must retire at 50, it's a great opportunity for them to just do whatever they feel like doing, even if they act like fools. Yay!

Luxury items will sell in China

The newest Louis Vuitton bag that retailed for $3700 but marked at $4200 was sold out in 3 days at a department store in Beijing. Clinique items are always out of stock even if they're marked at 30% above retail. When my cousin Chloe's boss found out we were coming from the US, she asked us to bring her 3 Coach bags each priced at $298 (which she found considerably cheaper than the $400 price tag in China). Pictured are some of the hottest makeup brands that not only sell, but are selling like hot cakes among young adults. The point is, there's a market for any luxury item or brand in China, and these items tend to be MUCH cheaper in the US. Just market it well, and you're bound to profit handsomely.
Who wants to do some brainstorming with me?