Since I’ve been living in Beijing for a little while now, my keen and observant eye has been noticing the local customs and habits of the ‘Jingers’. What follows is not an opinion of what is right/wrong – it’s simply an observation. You can judge, but I don’t.
1) Very few people speak English here.
Unlike many other cities in Asia, it’s not easy to find English speaking people in stores or restaurants, or driving taxis. I know the onus is on me to learn Chinese, but I just figured there’d be more English speakers here. I use pantomime a lot. There is much waving of hands and pointing.
2) Everyone spits.
Seriously, everyone. Is there that much excess saliva in the locals here, that they have the need to expel it everywhere/anytime? Men, women, children, taxi drivers, policemen, etc…they ALL spit. I’ve had to dodge a few expectorate projectiles while walking the streets. Not used to that.
3) No one follows traffic rules.
Drivers, and their cars/bikes/trucks, reign supreme here. They don’t pay attention to traffic lights or signs. They just drive. If you’re in their way, they will just honk and warn you they’re coming. If they hit you, it’s your fault, because they warned you. Red lights mean nothing. It doesn’t even slow them down. Crosswalks are simply places on roads where pedestrians are more easily located and hit. If the crosswalk is active (green walk signal), that does not mean you have the right to cross. You still have to yield to all cars, because they will NOT slow down for pedestrians. They will only honk and keep coming. You've been warned.
