I found out i was going to move to China. I'm an American. What are the cultural differences?

The city I'm moving to is Shangai. I have lived in California all my life. I am moving in an expat compound with peopple from Europe (mostly German I would think). I also speak french, which would give me hands up in my business relations, since I would mostly work with non-chinese people. Yet I would like to know what are the social differences and what I should expect coming from the US going to China.

You have to be open minded and not mind too much when people seem rude. Chinese people may be judgmental and have certain stereotypes about foreigners depending on their exposure, which you can imagine is not as much as in other places (although I just realized you said Shanghai, so you likely won't get this there, they're used to foreigners). They seem to always be in a hurry, particularly in large cities. Most are also quite proud of being Chinese, so be careful not to offend them by comparing your cultures too much. If you visit someone at their house, be sure to bring a gift. It is considered rude to show up with nothing. If you are at someone's dinner table, be sure to eat A LOT and try some of everything, or you might offend them. However, be sure to stop when you can't take anymore, because a Chinese host will continue to pile on the food if you let them. If you buy things from a market, you'll most likely be ripped off, there's no way around it since you'll be identified as a foreigner, although it's slightly better if you're with a Chinese who can bargain. Yes, you need to bargain everywhere you go unless you're at a higher end shopping area. Be prepared for less personal space because there will be much more people around you at all times of day. Other than those negativities, China is a great place to go. There are so many places to visit if you're into history at all. Even if you're ripped off in markets, you're still buying things for a bargain. There's so much cool stuff to buy. Basically the more money you have, the more you'll be able to enjoy yourself. Besides, Shanghai is like one of the most modernized cities in China, so you'll likely find it a great experience. This means a great night life. If you have money, you'll find that the night clubs are amazing places to go. And most importantly, enjoy all the great food!

first thing, get a chinese girlfriend.

The poster who said you would get ripped off wasn't kidding. I usually have an interpreter who goes shopping with me. One time, i asked how much a wallet was. i was told it was 400 RMB (yuan). She (my interpreter) went in and got it for 100, without even asking for a discount.

Also, if you go shopping to the discount stores, you will need to keep your wallet in your front pocket and people will come up to you all the time and say "mister, look, nice watch, only 200 RMB". My response is to always answer in spanish, or german, or russian. they get a perplexed look on their face and leave me alone.

Yep, find a nice honey and date her. She will take care of you

There are virtually zero consumer laws, there is a lot of smog and there are huge restrictions on the movement of cars, trucks and people in and out of Shanghai.

It can be exhilerating though, so have fun. I go to China at least three times a year for business and it never ceases to be fun and exciting.

Internet is censored pretty bad. No wikipedia... Cell phone reception is amazing, full bars in some elevators. Pollution is terrible, your skin is going to hate you, and your lungs may also suffer. If you want to buy something, unless its at a nice department store, make a disgusted face, walk away, and if nothing happens, just walk back and offer a lower price. Except for food, don't bargain food. Also, take a few tablets of immodium, it will take awhile to get adjusted to the water/food.

First of all, since you are going to Shanghai, living in an ex-pats compound, and dealing mostly with non-Chinese, you won't find many differences of any note. I have lived in many major cities in China (not Shangahi-yet!) including Beijing Chengdu, and Dalian as well as some middle-size cities and even one Chinese village. California is sort of America's potpourri and from everything I have gathered Shanghai plays the same role in China. I will try and resist the joke that Shanghai is probably more like America than California is!

Three things I have found everywhere I have been in China:

1) Kissing in public is frowned upon.
2) Foreigners still get stared at.
3) Chinese are usually friendly and almost always try to be - sometimes their friendliness doesn't seem like friendliness though - you might just get the rock star treatment.


I have found that living with Chinese is often much simpler than living with the Europeans.

There are many Chinese live in California U.S.A and chinese restaurants/shops there.
You can communicate with them and go shopping at these stores,I think you will have initial feeling about Chinese culture.
I bet you have ever seen Chinese new year in the U.S,that's different culture with America,chinese people are also friendly.
But I think when you move to China, you may have different feeling compare with in America.
After you arrived to China,you will know.

I moved from California to China a year ago. It is another world. The Chinese people are friendly and will help you any way they can. Be prepared for a great living experience.

You won't find any difference

shanghai is one part of china isnt that bad i been there and most of the building is built by the British when they came over to shanghai and its cool but wutever you do dont drink the public water or use ice because its all contaminated with all sorts of stuff, so watch out but its safe to drink the soda or tea.just dont get mucked by those people and they are good at it so watch out especially lil kids.

The communism will be different, and your internet will probably be filtered by the government. Also, if you are religious at all, don't mention anything relating to God.
Everything done there is expected to be paid back, at least among the chinese. But they love Americans, at least the small villages do. Some still have never seen anyone but chinese. However, if you are going with Germans, then read up on German culture (which is pretty similar to American, just don't give the thumbs up...it means the middle finger in german).