Randoms

Before our vacation, I’d been warned from people in Canada that China was dirty, and that I’d lose weight and probably have stomach upset. I was expecting squallor in restaurants and hotels; threatening scowls from Chinese Commies; and Japanese mafia ready to hook me up to heroin and harvest my organs for transplant.

I needn’t have worried.  Both countries are very civilized and clean.  Our hotel rooms were sparkling and had firm beds with buckwheat in their pillows (cool!)  My stomach was never upset and I didn’t see a single druggie or pimp anywhere. China blew me away (probably because my expectations were so low) and I couldn’t recommend visiting both places more.

Differences between China and Japan:

1. Toilets

China has mostly squatty potties and you need to bring your own T.P. (Evan explained that country-folk see the free toilet paper in public areas and steal it so they stopped providing it.)

Japan has clean bathrooms with built-in-bidet toilets, heated seats and toilet paper.  Even the monks’ bathroom had a bidet and, when you flush,  there’s a sink over the tank that spouts water to wash your hands.  

In China, they had signs on the door to differentiate.

2. Queuing (lining up)

China: The philosophy here seems to be “Elbows out! Every man for himself!”  We got shoved out-of-the-way by grandmas often.  The people behind us in line were violatingly close. 

Japan: The Japanese are far more polite and give plenty of personal space. Last night, in line for the observation deck, we could tell these two ladies behind us were Chinese because of how close they constantly got to us.

3. Etiquette

China: Making bodily sounds in public is commonplace. Men and women horf up phlegm often and loudly. So gross!  Evan, our guide expressed embarrassment over this. 

(Added by Rik) People in China, especially older people, yell. They will yell across a noisy subway or restaurant and practically blow out an eardrum.

Japan: People are generally ultra-polite and deferential to others. Even the school children were polite. The only exception was babies - they yelled a lot but people seemed to be okay with it. 

(Added by Rik) Japanese people are very quiet in public spaces like subways and restaurants. They will actually be startled by loud noises from others.

(Back to Ruth) The people we were on the tour with were constantly jibber-jabbering to each other about nonsense. The Japanese people sharing the trains with them probably wanted to shoot them in the head. (Or maybe that was just me.)

4. Transportation

China: The public transportation system is good. The high-speed train we took was faster than the one in Japan. People use electric scooters, bikes and electric cars - in that order. It’s a miracle we weren’t struck at some point. 

Japan: there are scooters and bikes but far fewer than in China. Public transportation seems to be the most common way to get around. 

I enjoyed both countries so much. We had the most amazing adventure and I leave with no regrets. 

- Ruth