It doesn’t take long for me to adjust to the manners of China – the spitting, the ear-cleaning, the belching. While some folks are aghast at the bodily -function decibels reached (and indeed, the Chinese government is trying to curb some of the habits, with a campaign — in Shanghai, at least — encouraging citizens to “be more civilized”), I view the experience as complete and utter freedom.
Gone is the pretense that I’m not actually stuffing my face. Gone is pretending that I’m just itching my nose. I can’t belch really loud, but I can try. I’m a total spitter, which drives my friends crazy, but here I fit right in!
The biggest issue with some of these habits is that they’re not very sanitary, which is why I carry hand sanitizer around with me. And true, I do get grossed out whenever I come across a huge glob of phlegm on the sidewalk, which is pretty much every other step. And I still am surprised when a tiny old lady lets out a huge, liquid belch.
But oh the freedom and joy of being able to let loose from the constraints of my culture – and without doing it the usual American way of getting totally wasted. There are limitations, though. A sign in my hostel informs guests that “anyone who defecates in the shower will be fined 100 yuan and kicked out immediately!”
I guess I’m not totally free….