Browsing Category: WHY Do They Do That?

You’re taking an early-morning walk through a Chinese park. Ahead of you, someone is walking steadily while repeatedly: Clap. Clap. Clap. No performance. No audience. They’re just walking… and clapping. 😂 🥟 The Quick Bite For some middle-aged and older people in China, clapping (拍手, pāishǒu) can be part of a regular exercise or wellness routine. You may see people clap while walking, standing or doing other movements in parks and residential...

You’re walking through a Chinese park in the morning when you hear: Clap. Clap. Slap. Slap. Someone is patting their arms, shoulders, legs — sometimes surprisingly enthusiastically. 😂 Why are they doing that? 🥟 The Quick Bite What you’re seeing is usually a form of patting or tapping exercise (拍打, pāidǎ). It’s particularly associated with some middle-aged and older people, who may include it in their morning exercise routine. The basic idea...

You’re waiting outside a railway station, shop or attraction when you notice someone nearby. They aren’t sitting. They’re squatting comfortably on their heels. And five minutes later… they’re still there. 😂 🥟 The Quick Bite A deep resting squat is a comfortable waiting or resting position for some people in China. You may see it when someone is waiting, chatting, checking their phone or simply taking a short rest — particularly where...

You’re walking through a residential neighborhood in China when someone passes you wearing what looks very much like… pajamas. And they’re definitely not heading to bed. 😂 So what’s going on? 🥟 The Quick Bite In some Chinese neighborhoods, particularly among older residents, you may occasionally see people wearing pajamas or sleepwear outside the home. They might be popping downstairs, buying something nearby, walking around the neighborhood or chatting with neighbors. To...

You’re on a train, in a restaurant or walking through a busy public space. Someone is talking loudly. A group at the next table is even louder. Somewhere nearby, a phone seems determined to join the conversation. You may wonder: Why is everyone so loud? 😂 🥟 The Quick Bite First, not everyone in China is loud. But some international travelers do notice that conversation and activity in busy public spaces can...

At a railway station, in a park, at work or on a long train journey, you may notice people carrying their own flask or insulated bottle. And quite often, what’s inside isn’t coffee. It’s hot water. So why bring a thermos everywhere? 🥟 The Quick Bite For many Chinese people — especially older generations — having hot water (热水, rèshuǐ) readily available is simply part of everyday life. A thermos keeps it...

You’re walking down a street in China when you hear it. Then someone spits. For some international travelers, the immediate reaction is: “Wait… people actually do that here?” 🥟 The Quick Bite Yes, you may still encounter public spitting in China — particularly among some older people. But don’t mistake that for: “Chinese people think spitting anywhere is perfectly acceptable.” Public attitudes have changed considerably, and discouraging uncivilized public behavior has been...

You’re walking through a Chinese park when someone approaches you. Except they’re facing the wrong way. They’re walking backwards. Then another person passes doing exactly the same thing. Why? 😂 🥟 The Quick Bite Backward walking 倒走 (dàozǒu) is an exercise you may see, particularly among middle-aged and older people in Chinese parks. People practice it for fitness, balance and because some believe it exercises the body differently from ordinary forward walking....

Visit a park in China early in the morning and you may find it already busy. Someone is practicing tai chi. A group is moving together to music. Others are stretching, walking backwards or doing exercises you may not recognize. Why does so much exercise happen in public? 🥟 The Quick Bite For many people in China, especially older adults, parks and public spaces are everyday places for exercise and social life....

You may notice it in your hotel, on a train, in a restaurant — or simply when someone offers you a drink. Hot water. Just hot water. For many international travelers, the obvious question is: Why? 🥟 The Quick Bite Drinking hot or warm water (热水, rèshuǐ) is a familiar everyday habit in China. For many people, warm water simply feels comfortable, normal and good for the body — especially compared with...