Moving to Chongqing, China Information Guide (from the US/Canada) - Culture

Author - Debbie Brown

Disclaimer:  This information is put together to help others moving to Chongqing.  This document is a compilation of information gathered from other expats based on their experiences.  It by no means is intended to be the gospel but to provide some background information to hopefully make your transition smoother.  Chongqing is a rapidly changing city so this document is a living document that may need to be updated as Chongqing and China grow and change.  Please forward any updates, recommendations and/or corrections to Deborah Brown, grosseilebrown2@aol.com.    

Cultures:

China is a large country with diverse culture and rich history. For most North American’s coming to China for the first time, there will be many situations of culture shock where the behavior of the local Chinese is not what the North American’s consider normal. Given the large number of people and historically tight resources, the sense of "private space" is not commonly well known. Since some Chongqing people have never seen foreigners (even on TV), they may approach you very closely just to see, hear, and sometimes touch a foreigner to see how we are different. They mean no harm, but are just curious.  Enjoy this stardom while you are in China.

Secondly, the life of the average local is not the same as an American suburban life style we are used to. Most Chinese do not have the luxury of products and services that American takes for granted in the US. One suggestion is to lower your expectation/standards. Don't expect the house to come in perfect condition. Don't expect problems to be resolved quickly. Don't expect the realtor to anticipate your needs. Eventually all problems will be resolved or an alternative solution will be found. By having lower expectation/standards, some outcomes will be pleasant surprises.

Don't be afraid to reach out to other expats. Many expats have already experienced many of the same issues you will go through. Each one may resolve the issues in different ways. This is a good way to learn from other expats as well as meeting new people. Having a good social network for you and your family is important to maximize your experience in China.