Porcelain Crane
THE DE-EVOLUTION OF CHINA
THE DE-EVOLUTION OF CHINA
I have been living in China three years now. During this time I have had the opportunity to observe the Chinese people going about their daily lives. I am struggling with the fact that I don't yet speak Chinese. For some people, learning a language is like learning any subject. Unfortunately for me, learning Chinese is a frustrating procedure. But in my defense it is also a frustrating language to learn. When I go out and try some words, people don't understand me. While pronouncing words is difficult in itself, there is also the fact that the local dialog spoken in Kunming is different from Mandarin. I expect at some point I will reach a threshold where I can say enough words where they will be able to understand me. My American friends tell me patience is the key to grasping Chinese.
In any case I have been here long enough to see things I am trying to understand. From my observations, I came up with the theory that the Chinese in general are in a new era, what I call, “de-evolution”. Let me explain.
The Chinese gave the world the most amazing technologies history has ever seen. They invented the compass, gunpowder, kites, paper, printing press, seismograph, ink, chopsticks, umbrellas, astrology, the planetarium, fans, hot air balloon, animal harness, rockets, bombs, books, medicines, the abacus, the mechanical clock, the crossbow, playing cards, silk, Porcelain, wheelbarrow, ice cream, suspension bridge, pasta, paddlewheel boats, natural gas deep drilling, the blast furnace, toilet paper, the newspaper, parachutes, zoos, decimal system, binomial mathematics, and they even invented the “zero” for Christ’s sake!
These things have changed the entire course of history in the world. They are also one of the oldest civilizations in history. Going strong after 5000 years. One could say that the Chinese must be very smart people. With all the great things China has given the world, I can only ask, “What the hell is going on here now?” So herein lies the source of my confusion.
As I observe the Chinese going about their daily lives, logic and common sense are nowhere to be found. At first I just thought Chinese are just a vastly different culture than us Westerners. While this is true to some extent, there appears to be more to it. They do things that fly in the face of everyday common sense. There are some examples.
Crossing the street Most often they simply do not bother look for oncoming cars, or, they will only look right when they cross. They never look left which is the primary direction of oncoming traffic. The result being that they step right in front of a car! Instead of jumping out of the way, they just freeze and do not move. Same reaction as a deer caught in your headlights. This happens all the time. It is more the norm than the exception. I think that in their minds they believe that if they don’t see a car, it is not there. So, how could one see a car if he never looks in the first place? You see…..very different logic used here. Sidewalks are rarely used. They usually walk in the street, no matter how busy the traffic. Children, babies, old people all walking in the street. Most of the time they walk in the middle or in a car lane, not even to one side. Mind you, there is a sidewalk empty along the street. At night this is very dangerous. You never know when they will just decide to just cross the street without warning.
Driving There is a reason why countries of the free world do not recognize a Chinese driver’s license for car rentals or for any other function. It is very simple….they can’t drive. Oh, they sure try hard enough. So far in the first six months of 2008, they’ve managed to kill over 100,000 in traffic fatalities alone trying to drive. You can’t fault the Chinese for not trying. So what is the deal anyway? I’ve realized it is two basic genetic things going on that will naturally put the Chinese behind the eight ball with driving. First is the inability for them to process incoming data fast enough to react to it. Really, as smart as the Chinese are, their brain waves just simply run at 50% of normal speed. So fast moving objects, or situations, will have already happened before they realize a problem even exists. This makes crash avoidance impossible. The second missing piece of genetics is “depth perception”. I don’t think there is even a Chinese word in for it! In any case, they don’t have it. They do not have any idea about the space they occupy and how it relates to others. They will see a bicycle rider on the curb of the road. As they approach in their car , they will move all the way into the next lane, while braking, thinking they are about to hit it. They shouldn’t have a reverse gear on any car in China. I will give 1000 RMB to the first person who can back in a straight line for 30 meters! Hell, make that 15 meters. It will never happen. They can’t do it. Usually when a car must be backed up, a family member will exit the car, go stand in the street with the other traffic, and direct the driver as he backs up. Talk about the blind leading the blind! Besides the genetic flaws of Chinese drivers, there is the complete and utter disregard for traffic lights, signs, laws, right of ways, people, whatever. They really believe that the entire road system was built solely for their own private use. There is never a fleeting thought to using indicators to change lanes or make a turn. No, the only time you see an indicator light is when they are passing another car on the highway. NOT changing lanes, just passing a car. Then they turn on the left indicator as they approach to make a pass. Doesn’t matter that he is going to change into the right lane after passing, he still uses the left turn indicator. They are taught to always turn on the signal while passing a car. It has nothing to do about lane change. Ah yes, and how about those horns. Noise is in their blood. I think they buy a car just because it has a horn. No need to light firecrackers when you got an electronic horn! I don’t even pay attention to horns anymore. It is no different to engine and road noise. Horns never stop. Every car is honking, moving or not. It doesn’t matter what the reason. They got one and by damn they will use it! I actually read that there is a traffic law that states, if you honk your horn before an accident, then it is not your fault. So they drive down the street always honking at nothing. Kind of scary huh?
Drinking Westerners go out to the a bar with friends to enjoy a few drinks. During the course of the evening, maybe they drink too much. It happens all the time. However, the Chinese have a different approach to it. To the Chinese, drinking is not a social function, it is a national competitive sport. It is a competition that is taken seriously. You buy beer by the bucket. When you order a beer, they bring 15 at once to the table. You have to make a special order if you only want one beer, and you pay a much bigger cost to do this. Before you take a drink, you must toast every time so everyone will drink at the same time. It is bad manners to take a drink by yourself. Then soon the table begins playing a vast selection of drinking games to speed up the drinking process. Conversations are basically about who will pass out first, or fall off the chair. If you prefer to drink liqueur, it is usually sold by the full bottle only. Then it is usually mixed at the table with 7-Up. The beer is also mixed and served in shot glasses so that during the drinking everyone can verify how much you are drinking. The whole process is designed to make sure everyone is consuming at the same volumes and rates. After a while, people begin to spew to the others delight and taunts. Later people simply pass out and are dragged away by their buddies, and this usually marks the end of the evening. By the way, there is no drinking age in China. You can be 8 ~ 80. Funny enough you rarely see very young people drinking. By nature people are 18 and up. I think this is more due to affordability than anything else. I think they tried to enter drinking as a competition in the Olympic games this year. China gold is a shoe-in.
Health and safety This one is a little complicated to put a finger on. Granted, China is an emerging 3rd world country with a boatload of people jammed into a little space. You really have to see it for yourself because reading numbers does not give you a picture of just how many people are here. The sheer density of urban populations is staggering. My city, Kunming, is smaller than Seattle. Seattle has 1.5 million people. Kunming has over 5.5 million. Imagine 4 times the people walking and driving around Seattle alone. Apparently human life holds little value here. If someone gets killed on the job, he is quickly replaced so work can continue without interruption. There is no such thing as company safety programs, OSHA, or safety equipment for use by the worker. Construction workers do not wear helmets, eye protection or safety shoes. They wouldn’t have a clue about such things. They grind away at steel and hammer rocks without a thought to eye protection. They work high up on bamboo scaffolds and iron beams wearing sandals. Forget about safety straps. Many fall and are killed. There is always someone else ready to take their place. Children run around and play alongside working large cranes and steam shovels. Construction sites are simply open for people to walk or drive through during construction.
As far as health goes, China seems to be stepping up with implementing some sort of national food safety programs. In light of the recent problems with tainted food exports, there is a direct economic benefit to inspecting food production in China. So the government has starting to implement inspections. But when only the general population was effected with tainted food, this was not a priority for the government. I read in local newspapers on several occasions where numerous schoolchildren were sent to hospitals because the school lunch food was contaminated. The open markets, where you buy all your food, have no sanitary standards. Meats are put on open tables in the sun until they are sold. Vegetables lay in the street or on small dirty tables in the open. Who knows how many chemicals or tainted water was used to grow them. One learns to spend a time carefully washing everything before using it. I average food poisoning about once a month, even being careful. Everything looks great and is fresh picked daily, but you must pay attention from where you buy it. Still, somehow it all seems to work out ok. However, I tend to believe the western approach leans too much in the other direction now. I have been eating this stuff for 3 years, and I’m not dead yet. Smoking is just short of being encouraged here. The billions the government takes in taxes from the factories cannot be overlooked. Cigarettes are very cheap and plentiful. Packs sell for less than one dollar. You can smoke almost everywhere. Many smoke and eat at the same time in restaurants. I have not seen anti smoking material anywhere. STD’s. This is alive and well in China. HIV is beyond epidemic levels in China. Condoms are just beginning to show up, but actually are always in your hotel room with the soap and towels. However if a woman is searched and found to be carrying condoms, she is automatically arrested for prostitution. This situation is improving, but too little, too late. There is virtually no sex education allowed in schools, and even adults are clueless to the dangers of many different STD’s or how to prevent them. Public toilets are nothing more than open sewers, only the brave can muster a trip inside. Most children simply stand on the public sidewalk and do their business like a dog would do. You can see this everyday. I don’t care about the openness of public bathroom activities as much as I don’t wish to see it done a few feet from me where I am sitting eating a bowl of noodles.
China is a remains beautiful country despite the fact that people throw trash everywhere. It is thrown from the cars and dropped to the street. Nobody gives it a second thought. Finish a can of soda and simply drop it or throw it out of the window. There are armies of people wearing orange vests that are stationed every few blocks. Their function is to sweep the street clean and monitor their assigned block to keep it clear of debris. Maybe this is what you call job security. Still it is annoying to see people throwing rubbish everywhere.
I could go on, but I think I’ve made my point. Local and regional governments should step up and simply start enforcing the laws that are already in place. I am frustrated mostly by the apparent lack of citizens respecting their own country and city. Something needs to be done to instill pride in the population and start teaching their children the same. As I said, China is an amazing country filled with beauty and history. I don’t believe these habits were this way in the past. But as China opens it’s doors to the world, these problems seem to be getting worse. Maybe as more and more Chinese travel outside China, they will bring back better habits to show their communities.
About the Author
I am an American citizen who moved from Seattle to China in December 2005 to start my adventures. I live in Yunnan Province of SW mainland China. The city is Kunming, also known as the spring city. These are my experiences as an American foreigner living in mainland China. I hope to give you some idea of this exotic region through my stories and pictures.See more at buckchucko.com
china crane porcelain pottery created by international ceramic artist Jackson Li 1.flv
 |
 Chinese Porcelain Tree Crane Snuff Bottle $24.99 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 49m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now |
 Chinese Porcelain Bottle with Portrait of Ip Man Cranes Ming Tree Kinmen China $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 56m |
 CRANE SHELL PINK PORCELAIN BATH SINK WITH TOWEL BARS $350.00 Time Remaining: 9h 7m |
 Rare Chinese whiteblue Porcelain crane cup $49.00 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 17m Buy It Now for only: $49.00 Buy It Now |
 Signed EDGAR JOHNSON Studio Art Porcelain Pottery Vase with CRANE Bird in Relief $28.75 Time Remaining: 2d 17h 17m Buy It Now for only: $34.75 Buy It Now |
 Porc A Fix Porcelain Touch Up Crane Sky Blue $24.90 Time Remaining: 21h 15m Buy It Now for only: $24.90 Buy It Now |
 GENEVA JOHNSON BROS PORCELAIN PLATTER MUSTARD TRIM CRANE FRUIT CHINA ENGLAND $2.99 Time Remaining: 12h 50m |
 EXQUISITE BLUEWHITE PORCELAIN WITH CRANE PLATE $178.00 Time Remaining: 20h 28m |
 6x Porcelain Crane Chopsticks Rest Red A11885 RD $12.99 Time Remaining: 21h 18m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 IMPERIAL FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN PLATE w CRANES 18 W $7.50 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 21h 20m |
 6x Porcelain Crane Chopsticks Rest Blue A11885 BL $12.99 Time Remaining: 21h 14m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 Lovely Flora Crane Porcelain Vase $33.50 Time Remaining: 19h 57m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 Buy It Now |
 CHINESE JAPANESE ASIAN PORCELAIN BOWL CUPS SAUCER CRANE BIRD $24.99 Time Remaining: 21h 19m |
 6x Porcelain Crane Chopsticks Rest White A11885 WH $12.99 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 58m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 Antique Meiji Showa Japanese Arita Imari Porcelain Shaped Crane Dish $15.79 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 37m |
 VINTAGE CRANE PORCELAIN OVER CAST IRON FARMHOUSE SINK W LEFT SIDE DRAINBOARD $200.00 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 37m Buy It Now for only: $200.00 Buy It Now |
 Japanese Ikebana Fukagawa Koransha Cobalt Blue Porcelain Vase Gold Crane Moriage $65.00 Time Remaining: 20h 20m |
 White Porcelain Origami Crane Ornament One Hundred 80 Degrees Gift Box NEW $16.99 Time Remaining: 19d 19h 35m Buy It Now for only: $16.99 Buy It Now |
 1947 Crane Diana sink with faucet wall brackets legs $25.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 53m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now |
 Fine Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Shou Lau With Crane Figurine $150.00 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 56m |
 Chinese Hand painted Couple Cranes Painting Old Enamel Porcelain Snuff Bottle $18.98 Time Remaining: 29d 22h 27m Buy It Now for only: $18.98 Buy It Now |
 Chinese Crane Painting Porcelain Snuff Bottle Siamesed Connected Two Bottles 6 $23.98 Time Remaining: 9h 59m |
 Otagiri Japan Design by Wendy Morgan Porcelain Vase Three Cranes Birds $14.00 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 46m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 Buy It Now |
 KS JAPAN LUSTER WARE BOWL PORCELAIN PLATE TRAY MT FUJI CRANES SAIL BOATS HAND PT $7.50 Time Remaining: 20h 16m Buy It Now for only: $17.90 Buy It Now |
 China Song Dynasty Antique Porcelain Celadon Green Jar Vase Lid cover Crane Bird $13.90 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 11h 17m |
 5pcs New crane Design Porcelain china Craft Column beads Jewelery 20x95mm BCH53 $2.69 Time Remaining: 22d 10h 45m Buy It Now for only: $2.69 Buy It Now |
 103 Chinese Porcelain Old Man W Deer Crane Pot $7.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 42m |
 Chinese Porcelain Carved Snuff Bottle Crane Tree $28.99 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 31m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 Buy It Now |
 Vintage Decorative Miniature Porcelain Urn Vase with Cranes $4.00 Time Remaining: 22h 15m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 Buy It Now |
 WEDGWOOD KUTANI CRANE PORCELAIN TRINKET EGG SHAPED BOX $15.00 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 43m |
 Porcelain Snuff Bottle person Crane pinaster $64.99 Time Remaining: 27d 1h 46m Buy It Now for only: $64.99 Buy It Now |
 MIDWEST PHB TONKA CRANE PORCELAIN HINGED BOX $6.95 Time Remaining: 2d 20h 27m |
 Porcelain Fish Crane Water lily Snuff Bottle $34.99 Time Remaining: 21d 23h 17m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 Buy It Now |
 Imari Gold rimmed Japan 6 inch Porcelain Crane Vase Marked $9.95 Time Remaining: 4d 19h 14m Buy It Now for only: $18.95 Buy It Now |
 2 White Porcelain Painted Flower Bird Crane Pattern $29.99 Time Remaining: 27d 2h Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 Antique Embossed Crane Toilet Vitreous Camden Pottery 1902 $750.00 Time Remaining: 4d 6h 55m |
 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Plate Painting Two Vivid red crowned cranes 16 $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 10m |
 5 Used Porcelain Crowned Crane Figurine Repaired Neck Age Spots $1.99 Time Remaining: 16d 16h 46m Buy It Now for only: $1.99 Buy It Now |
 new Chinese porcelain Painting the pine tree cranes box 617 $0.80 Time Remaining: 3d 11h 4m |
 NEW ASIAN ORIENTAL CHINESE CRANE BIRDS VASE URN PORCELAIN 2 FT $59.99 Time Remaining: 15d 11h 11m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now |
 Chinese Rare Blue and White Porcelain Crane Bowl $135.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 23m |
 Vintage Hand Painted Porcelain Flying Cranes Plate by K Inoue $12.95 Time Remaining: 4d 18h 5m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 Buy It Now |
 Whooping Crane Jewelry Porcelain Pendant $20.00 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 14m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 Buy It Now |
 VINTAGE RARE WEDGWOOD KUTANI CRANE PORCELAIN CHINA BUD VASE FULLY STAMPED $7.89 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 25m |
 2 Chinese Yellow Porcelain Flower Crane Snuff Bottle $29.99 Time Remaining: 24d 1h 44m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now |
 G880 Japanese old IMARI porcelain ware square plate with crane painitng $9.99 Time Remaining: 6d 22h 12m |
 Chinese Old Porcelain Handwork Painting Crane Plate $0.02 Time Remaining: 4d 21h 43m |
 Royal Crown Heron Porcelain Crane by J Byron $9.98 Time Remaining: 23d 21h 51m Buy It Now for only: $9.98 Buy It Now |
 Vintage Farmhouse Sink W Drain Brd CRANE Porcelain over Cast Iron in Hudson NY $250.00 Time Remaining: 8d 9h 57m Buy It Now for only: $400.00 Buy It Now |
 Mid Century Modern Crane Drexel Sink Excellent condition Legs included $299.99 Time Remaining: 11d 16h 23m Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now |
 Wedgewood Porcelain Kutani Crane Ash Tray $4.99 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 53m |
 Chopstick Rest, Porcelain Crane rest #A11885 Sale Price: $0.99  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionPorcelain chopstick rest to keep your chopsticks off of the table. It makes a very nice table setting presentation or can be used as a party gift. About 2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches tall. This chopstick rest looks like an origami flying crane! Cranes are good luck in Japan! The color is a very light eggshell white.  |
 Ski Goggles, Tower Cranes, Porcelain Figurines and Diesel Engines Sale Price: $1.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 Porcelain Blue & White Tube Beads Chinese Crane 15.5 Inch Strand List Price: Sale Price: $3.33 You save: $2.66 (44%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionPorcelain Tube Beads With Chinese Style Crane Design 19mm X 9mm 15.5 Inch StrandSmooth tube shape porcelain beads. A natural glazed white shade with bright China blue crane bird design hand-painted on each bead... |
 Crane Plumbing 1319V Galaxy 20-by-17-Inch Oval Self-Rimming Countertop Lavatory, Porcelain Enameled Steel Sale Price: $62.79 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAtlanta, 20" x17", White, Oval, Enameled Steel, Self Rimming Lavatory, 4" Centerset. |
 chinese maiden statue and crane porcelain sculpture new Sale Price: $90.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionArtistically captured in this sculpture of absolutely breathtaking fine quality porcelain, the artist's work employs soft color glazes to highlight the meticulously hand-cast and hand-painted sculpture... |
 Porcelain Origami Crane Ornament See Reviews For This Product |
 Double Bowl Arlington Sink - 53464 33X22bis 2Bwl Kitch Sink See Reviews For This Product Descriptionmfr: CRANE PLUMBING DOUBLE BOWL ARLINGTON SINK Acid-resisting, porcelain enameled steel 9" right and left bowl depth Self-rimming Extended back ledge has three drilled holes Conforms to ANSI/ASME A112... |
 12x Blue Porcelain Crane Chopstick Rest #A11885-BL Sale Price: $15.00 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionLot of 12 Porcelain Chopstick Rests * Crane Design * Dimension: 2 x 2-1/4 in * dishwasher safe. * High Quality Porcelain Chopstick Rest was Special Designed for Restaurant Use. * |
 Crane Plumbing 53474 Carroliton Armor Plus 33-by-22-Inch Double-Bowl Kitchen Sink, Porcelain Enameled Steel, White Sale Price: $233.74 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionCarollton Armor Plus, 33" x 22", White, Kitchen Sink, 4 Hole, Porcelain Enameled Steel. |
 Chinese Porcelain Mug - Longevity Crane (Set of 2) Sale Price: $26.40 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Chinese Porcelain Mug with Lid & Diffuser is a perfect way for one to enjoy loose tea leaves. This mug features an accompanying lid and removable diffuser. To use, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of tea into the diffuser, top up the mug with boiling hot water, close with the lid and allow to steep for 5 minutes... |
