One Month in China: The Biggest Mistakes I've Made so Far
I never expected to end up in China, but once the opportunity to move to Beijing was on the table, I began researching the city, the people, and the culture right away. I've now survived one entire month, but despite all of my careful planning, I have still managed to do a lot of silly things. Here are the biggest mistakes that I've made so far.
Not downloading apps in advance
You don't realize how hopelessly dependent you are on your phone and apps until you move to a country in which practically none of them work. While I knew that Google and Instagram wouldn't be available to me (not without a little cunning, anyway), I didn't give much thought to downloading a translator app, public transport app, or even an online map. If you run an Android phone and use the Google Play store this is even more of an issue, as you'll need to turn to an alternative app marketplace. Don't make the same mistake I did: before you arrive, take note of what apps you use on the regular and research alternatives. Get started here.
Flushing toilet paper
The good people of Beijing do put up quite a lot of signs, asking us Westerners not to flush toilet paper down their ancient, capricious toilet pipes, but old habits die hard. While this mistake hasn't caused me any problems directly, my conscience is heavy with the thought that I may have inadvertently bunged up the plumbing somewhere, at some time.
Underestimating the paperwork
I began my visa application process months and months before coming to China, so I thought it was all done and dusted once I'd arrived. I was wrong. Converting my initial 30-day visa into a Residency Permit was not the simple "pop in, hand over your passport and be on your merry way 15 minutes later" affair that I'd anticipated. In reality, it required another large stack of paperwork. My complacency meant that I ended up running over my initial time limit and having to get an extension. Even checking in at the local police station within 24-hours of arrival – as all foreigners must do, by law – was much more complicated than I realized, requiring documents from my landlord that took days to arrange. It all worked out OK in the end, but I could have saved myself quite a lot of hassle and stress by being more organized. The rule of thumb seems to be: everything will take longer and be more complicated than you think. If you have 30 days to make an appointment, do it immediately.
Weeing on my shoes
I've got no real problems with using squat toilets (having read all of the articles touting the health benefits of the squatting position), but one thing I haven't quite gotten the hang of yet is aiming. I guess practice makes perfect, but there is frankly nothing enjoyable about spraying your ankles when you go for a wee. What's the secret here? And by the way, which way am I supposed to be facing? The door or the back? Please advise.
Not stocking up on my favorite beauty products
When moving to a new country, it's the little things that make the biggest difference. While my beauty routine wasn't particularly complicated, I miss not being able to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize with my favorite products. I'm sure that in time I'll find equivalent or even better replacements, but my unfamiliarity with the city and my cash flow problems means that I'll be waiting a while yet. Sorry, pores.
Underestimating the locals
I don't quite know what I expected from Beijingers, but it wasn't the warmth, friendliness, and consideration that I've experienced. While I've encountered plenty of challenges in my first month in China, none of them have become overwhelming, thanks in large part to the support and kindness I've already been shown. Colleagues have translated text messages for me, acquaintances met over drinks on a Saturday night have shared invaluable contacts and addresses, and perfect strangers on the street have approached me and helped me to get on the right bus, at the right time. Even locals that speak very little English have been reasonably patient with my miming and hopeless Mandarin. No city is a cake walk, but Beijing is much friendlier than I expected. After all, this is the Middle Kingdom, not Mars.
What about you? What mistakes did you make when you first arrived?
READ: Aiya to Zhajiangmian: The Complete A-Z For Beijing Newcomers (or Visitors)
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