Living in China can be eye-opening, profound, and rewarding, but it isn’t easy. Every expat faces challenges when they arrive in this country, ranging to the mildly annoying to the absolutely infuriating.

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Living in China can be eye-opening, profound, and rewarding, but it isn’t easy. Every expat faces challenges when they arrive in this country, ranging to the mildly annoying to the absolutely infuriating.
We asked you what your challenges have been living in China. You responded with enthusiasm (from wechat discussion and Facebook page). Here’s what we found out.

 

Visas Are Immensely Stress-Inducing

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Nobody likes to be at the mercy of China’s exit-entry authorities. There’s an absurd amount of gray area in China’s visa regulations (for example, no designated visa for interns), and it’s hard to find consistent information on application processes and requirements. Plus there’s just a ton of paperwork.
To avoid dealing with visa woes yourself, find a trusted agent – preferably one a friend has already used. Just be prepared to pay a small premium. If you want to tread the visa waters yourself, it’s always best to go straight to the source and get information directly from the relevant authorities’ websites.

The Language Barrier is Real

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Most expats can’t speak fluent Chinese, which instantly makes any task twice as hard to accomplish. Ordering from a menu, opening a bank account, or even being treated at a hospital can be problematic. This also contributes to being considered an “outsider,” which can get you ripped off when it comes to doing business or even hiring a taxi (be sure to check the meter).

The only real solution to this is to learn the language, but it does take time and effort. In the meantime, it’s important to find the translation tools (and possibly a living translator) that help you communicate better.

Too Many Sounds, Everywhere

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Visit any city village in China for a microcosm of all the noises that drive expats up the wall. Incessant car and motorbike horns, loud talking outside the restaurants, techno music blaring from the shops, construction, spitting – the whole nine yards.
In Chinese culture, light, sounds, and crowds are enjoyable. They did, after all, invent the firework. Because of this, most locals don’t mind the background noise. If you do, find a go-to place – a cafe, park, or even your apartment – to seek some peace and quiet.

Common Courtesy Isn’t So Common

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Another top challenge of China expat living is that manners – as we understand them, anyway – don’t seem to exist. People openly gawk at foreigners in the streets. They push and shove to get to the front of any line, even if there’s assigned seating. They litter. They spit. They don’t hold doors open or say “please” and “thank you.” In business, they will often be blatantly dishonest about timelines, budgets, etc.
These things are all true, but not about everyone, and it’s not malicious. The trick is to avoid taking it personally. Chalk it up to a cultural difference and, when necessary, take time to yourself to recharge.

Complaining Expats Are The Worst

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The response we received to our Facebook poll was shocking – most respondents said their biggest challenge living in China was dealing with OTHER expats complaining about China. Odd, at first glance. But expats in China do generally spend much of their time together, and if every gathering deteriorates into a China-bashing fest, it’s easy to get fed up with the negativity.
The solution? Surround yourself with positive people who understand and know how to deal with China. And check this out:
“Whenever I am about to grumble about something that I don’t like in China, I first remind myself that I am a guest in this country. I love China but I also get culture shock. I think its important to remember we are guests here, and that Chinese people should not be expected to cater to our western standards. Chinese people spit because its part of Zhong Yi (Chinese medicine), its kinda like how we cover our mouths when we cough. Except the Chinese people believe all mucus should be clear from the throat. In our western eyes hacking up a golden nugget and letting it fly isn’t legal (at least in Canada). But I am not in Canada right now. China doesn’t need to do anything for foreigners. Most of us are making a salary that is triple that of a professional local. Its hard for me to keep a positive prospective on China when I see foreigners rage hate. I usually have two questions for these kids: Are you happy here? (if the answer is no), then I ask why don’t you leave then?”

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