Why China Will Make You A Better Person.

Photo by McCallaman

China offers a free course in self-betterment, but if you don’t pay attention you won’t realise it.

Your cleaning habits will change for the better.
Your former notions of cleanliness will get the better of you, and you’ll find yourself washing your hands before eating every single meal because your brain can’t stop telling you that you must’ve recently touched something filthy. Or taking your shoes off the moment you walk in the door in fear that they’re drenched in spit from the pavement.

You’ll learn to appreciate the little things in life.
Clean air is something you never appreciate until it’s gone. You’ll learn it’s not the norm worldwide, and you’ll appreciate it so much more when you get it back. The same goes for clean water straight from the tap.

You’ll be more alert.
China is a safe country, but its roads are frightening to those who aren’t used to them. After a few days of adjusting, as you walk across the road your head will revolve like an owl, alert of every angle oncoming traffic can hit you from. You’ll learn to despise that little green man telling you it’s safe to cross; sure, he says it’s safe, but he’s not exactly giving it a go.

You’ll read more.
When a language that isn’t Latin based surrounds you, you’ll find it impossible to read anything. This means when you do come across something written in English, you’ll read it. You’ll find yourself reading things that don’t even interest you, but you’ll be grateful for the practice at the very least.

You’ll be less technologically dependent, if only slightly.
If you’re from Generation Y, you’ll learn to realise how much you depend on modern technology. Social media is something that is hard to live without, but you may appreciate a newfound sense of freedom from the grip of Facebook. Or you might find all of your friends hang out there. You’ll watch less TV, unless you’ve picked up Chinese, and you’ll download fewer movies and TV shows, unless you are extremely dedicated. Perhaps these are a few more reasons why you’ll read more.

You’ll be more prudent with your money.
At some point in time you’ll find yourself in a market, vehemently haggling with a shop owner over the price of a jacket. They want you to pay 80 when you’re sure it’s worth no more than 70. As you’re walking away having paid 75 for a jacket you didn’t necessarily want, you’ll realise you were actually fighting over less than 2 dollars and it was really just your pride you were bargaining for.

You’ll learn to be a minority.
If you’re white, you probably aren’t used to being a part of a minority group. But you’ll be in China. I’m not suggesting you’ll suffer the degradation and persecution that minorities suffered in Western countries – but you’ll be charged more for items in markets. Your white face comes with the assumption that you’ll pay more because you don’t know how much it’s really worth. And if you’re tall and blonde like me, girls will ask for your photo a lot. It’s a tough life.

You’ll learn that ‘okay’ and ‘Coca-Cola’ are phrases understood worldwide.
I read that fact whilst appreciating something written in English. But you’ll learn that ‘hello’, ‘look’ and ‘buy’ are pretty popular too.

You’ll be more Worldly.
It is a life experience you won’t forget, and one you’ll be grateful for. You’ll be richer for it – wholly, spiritually, and for a lot of people, financially. You’ll find yourself enjoying it even if you don’t realise it.