Chinese culture

Traditionally, China had a very distinct class system - the super wealthy upper class, the average middle class, the poor working class and the peasant class.

Each class lived very differently and had very little dealings with others outside their social class. Today, although social classes still exist in China, the nation isn’t too different form the rest of the world – thanks to some Western influences.

Modern high-rises and architecture are evident in most major cities around China, as are famous food chains, fashion brands and pop culture.  However, traditional culture and values of family importance and reputation are very evident in Chinese households and this is more prominent in rural areas.

Also, modern parents are becoming more an d more lenient with their children, with the wealthier ones sending their children to study overseas. Chinese parents also set a great example in maintaining a great deal of respect from the children.

Food plays a very important role in the cultural traditions of the Chinese people and in China, certain foods hold extremely important meanings.

Long noodles, for example, symbolise longevity and are eaten by the young and old to ensure a long and healthy life. Fish is served on Chinese New Year to symbolise wealth and prosperity, while in some regions, honoured guests may be served the head of a snapper as a welcome and to refuse would be considered an insult to the host.

In China, food is meant for sharing with family and friends or whoever you are dining with. Very rarely would you see Chinese people dining together ordering separate meals for themselves. It's usually a few meat and vegetable dishes, rice, soup, tea and everyone  would enjoy everthing served together. And as a culture that believes in the importance of collectiveness, politeness and courtesy, meal time means appropriate etiquette. Kids are taught these essential table manners very early in life.

Children and young ones at the table will address the entire table with the equivalent of our "Bon appétit" before anyone starts serving or eating. The elders (e.g. grandparents, parents, uncle, aunts or guests) are always served first out of respect for their seniority (and sometimes status) and it is considered as an affront to the host or cook to tap on your bowl with your chopsticks, or play with it as if it were a piece of toy. 

Chopsticks can also cause offence if they are stuck upright in a rice bowl as this relates to death and fu nerals and is extremely impolite. Be sure your children are aware of such table manners before dining your next trip to China.

Finally, when giving someone a present in China, avoid clocks as the word for clock in CHinese alludes to death and is bad luck for the recipient.

Why are they Staring Mum?

China is becoming more and more popular with international visitors. However, in many areas, you may well be the first Caucasians some of these locals and local tourists have seen. Blonde hair is a particular draw card.

Many Australian visitors to popular sites such as Tiananmen Square have found themselves to be an alternate major attraction to the locals. It’s not uncommon for queues to form for locals to have their picture taken with you and your children. This is all done with good humour and can be the highlight of their day.

A further explanation as to the local fascination with international tourists, in particular with several children in tow, is the Chinese Government instituted one child policy. Enacted in the 1980s to limit China’s massive population growth, single precious children are the norm. A family with 2 or more children is truly unusual and worthy of observation. Explaining this to your family will go a long way to understanding and dealing with all this attention.

Most families in China live as a nuclear unit. Extended families living together still occur in the countryside where land and housing prices allow for larger accommodation. Almost all city dwelling families live in apartments.

Both parents usually work and children begin study in preschool. Academic achievement is highly regarded and there is not much idle time for children to play and your family may notice the lack of playgrounds or children playing in the street.

Any free time is spent with family and not playing with other children.

A nation based on single children has resulted in an extraordinary social system for parenting and expectation.

So don't be surprised if and when locals come up to you wanting to touch you or your children, play with their hair, take photos or just want to have a chat and find out more about you and the children. Chinese people are friendly and curious with the foreign world, so any attention will be greatly appreciatd by them, especially if you're visiting places away from the major cities like Beijing, Shanrhai, Goungdong and Szechuan.